ABOUT THE PrOVINCE

Magallanes has many globally known places and geographical features including Torres del Paine, Cape Horn, Tierra del Fuego island, and theStrait of Magellan. It also includes the Antarctic territory claimed by Chile.

The main economic activities are sheep farming, oil extraction, and tourism.

This region contains mountainous peaks and glaciers in the far north, including elements of the Patagonian Ice Sheet. Further south there are other mountain ranges such as the Cerro Toro and numerous surface waters including the Seno Última Esperanza, Eberhard Fjord and Lago Grey. Protected areas include the Torres del Paine National Park and the Cueva del Milodon Natural Monument. At the latter, remains have been discovered of the extinct ground sloth as well as of prehistoric man dating to circa 10,000 BC.

There are still places in the world where you can enjoy a view that seems to go beyond the horizon in every direction and be utterly at peace and at one with nature. More restless visitors to southern Patagonia can try their hand at trekking, bird watching, kayaking,mountaineering, climbing, ice hiking, cycling, horseback riding and whale watching.

The region has a subpolar oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification Cfc) bordering on a tundra climate. The seasonal temperature in Punta Arenas is greatly moderated by its proximity to the ocean, with average lows in July near −1 °C (30 °F) and highs in January of 14 °C (57 °F). This is not to say that it is known for stable constant temperatures. You can sometimes experience all four seasons in one day.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT TO DO HERE?

• trekking, bird watching, kayaking,mountaineering, climbing, ice hiking, cycling, horseback riding and whale watching.