 |
| Image: lakutaia.com |
The Chilean Antarctic Province is the southernmost province of the Magallanes Region and Chile. It includes the southernmost islands of South America, such as Cape Horn and the Diego Ramirez Islands. However, the largest part of the Chilean Antarctic Province is located on the White Continent, within the area claimed by Chile between the 53° and 90° meridians west of Greenwich, and from the 60° parallel to the South Pole.
Its capital is Puerto Williams, the southernmost town in the world, a village and Naval Station with 3,000 inhabitants in Navarino Island, South from Tierra del Fuego. The civilian population of Puerto Williams mostly lives from fishing industry, tourism and an incipient industrialization thanks to the creation of recent investment laws. To get here there are daily flights and weekly ferry departures from Punta Arenas.
The Beagle Channel separates Navarino Island from Tierra del Fuego, which was named Beagle in honor of the sailing ship commanded by Robert Fitz Roy, first Europen to land here in 1830, who explored and baptized the islands and channels with the name of his officers. Further South, beyond the Cape Horn and Sea of Drake lies the rest of the Province, on the Antarctic Territory, whose main population center is Villa las Estrellas, next to Presidente Frei Station in Isla Rey Jorge (King George Island).
Places to visit around Puerto Williams:
Club de Yates (Puerto Williams' Yacht Club)
 |
| pto.williams.cl |
"Martin Gusinde" Museum
The southernmost in the World, founded in 1975. Its name remembers the eminent German ethnologist and priest who worked with the "Yaganes" and "Selknam" indians between 1918 and 1924. Thorough historical synthesis about the extinct natives of the area along with an exhibit of the natural resources, flora and fauna.
Navigation across the Glaciers of the Darwin Mountain Range
 |
| Image: viajes.cl |
Ukika Village
2 Km. away from Puerto Williams. Reservation where inhabit the last descendants of the Yagan or Yamana race dedicated to fishing and craftsmanship. Moved here decades ago by the Chilean Navy from the places where they were scattered.Omora Ethno-Botanical Park
Omora Ethno Botanical Park is a privately owned protected area of 1,000 hectares on Navarino Island, near Puerto Williams. It was founded in 2000 and is managed by the Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad, the Fundación Omora and the Universidad de Magallanes.
The park is named after the Yaghan word for "Hummingbird", a sacred bird for this indigenous people. The park aims to integrate biocultural conservation with social well-being at the ends of the Earth. It hosts diverse ecosystems, such as sub-Antarctic forests, peatlands, beaver wetlands and alpine heath. It also serves as a natural laboratory, an outdoor classroom and a public space for environmental education and research.
Cerro La Bandera Trekking circuit
Trekking route across La Bandera Hill. Round trip of about 4 hrs. departing from Puerto Williams to Cascada La Virgen, 3 Km away. The climb begins in a wooded, winding, but clearly delineated path finally reaching a height of 610 mts. where the view is wonderful. The circuit can continue up to the higher summit to the South getting an even more spectacular view of the Beagle Channel and surroundings.Dientes de Navarino Trekking Circuit
The World's southernmost trekking route, 53 Km. long, about 5 days starting from Puerto Williams touring the largest range of mountains of the island. Rocky peaks of more than 1,000 mts. also recommended for the practice of climbing. The view on the southernmost inhabited areas of Chile and Argentina is magnificent. This circuit forms part of El Sendero de Chile (Chile's Path) that will link all the national territory from top to bottom.Cape Horn National Park
 |
| Cape Horn, the southernmost of the World's great Capes |
Throughout the years, numerous shipwrecks have occurred along the cape's coastline. In November 1992, on the 500th. anniversary of the discovery of America here was raised the Monument Cape Horn, an albatross in full-flight over the hill indicating the maritime pass in commemoration of all the expeditionaries coming from the seven seas that have succumbed in the attempt to cross it.
Antarctic Tourism
How to get to the White Continent from Chile?
Below are specialized companies that schedule their cruises and flights well in advance. The tourist season is from November to March, during the southern hemisphere's spring and summer months.
Depending on the travel mode and programs, the places to visit are among others: Presidente Frei Station and Villa las Estrellas at Isla Rey Jorge (King George Island, the largest of the South Shetlands archipelago), Geographic South Pole flights, Union Glacier Camp, navigation around the shores of the Antarctic Peninsula, visiting the majestic landscapes of Paradise Bay, Lemaire Channel, Petermann Island next to the Polar Circle, visit to different Scientific Resarch Centers and International Stations, etc.
In the Earth's largest Natural Reserve are also attactions its huge Icebergs, the rich marine fauna like large Penguin and Cormorant colonies, the beautiful Albatross, Petrels, Blue Whales, Orcas, Marine Elephants, Weddell Seals, etc., to marvel at the midnight Sun and enjoying the landscape of the Continent of the future, whose area of 14 million km2. holds huge treasures of natural resources, among others, the seventy percent of the Earth's fresh water reserve.
In the Earth's largest Natural Reserve are also attactions its huge Icebergs, the rich marine fauna like large Penguin and Cormorant colonies, the beautiful Albatross, Petrels, Blue Whales, Orcas, Marine Elephants, Weddell Seals, etc., to marvel at the midnight Sun and enjoying the landscape of the Continent of the future, whose area of 14 million km2. holds huge treasures of natural resources, among others, the seventy percent of the Earth's fresh water reserve.
Travel Links
Comments
Post a Comment