Pampa del Tamarugal is a vast plain encompassing a significant portion of the Norte Grande, Chile, and originally named for the Prosopis tamarugo trees that used to cover its surface. It is located between the parallels 19°30’ and 22°15’ south latitude. Sometimes it is considered part of the Atacama Desert, however historically it wasn't. It is bounded on the west by the Chilean Coastal Range and on the east by the western slopes of the Andes. The plain occupies a surface area of 12,500 km2 with an average elevation of 1,100 m.