Shovels begin scooping the salt mountains before the crack of dawn. The persons who collect salt in the ponds of the Manaure Salt Flats—located 39 miles northeast of Riohacha by car, conduct their labor in the wee hours in order to avoid the heat. The landscape of this area, which extends over some 4200 hectares, is eerie, with hills of salt reflected in ponds of water.