Punta Arenas, Chile

Punta Arenas is the main city in the Strait of Magellan and the capital of the Región de Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena, Chile, and depending on the definition of "city," makes a claim for the world's southernmost city.

The Magallanes region is considered part of Chilean Patagonia. Magallanes is Spanish for Magellan, the explorer who, while circumnavigating the earth in service to the Spanish crown, originally passed not far from the present site of Punta Arenas in 1520.

Located at on the Brunswick Peninsula, Punta Arenas is the southernmost city of its size in the world; Ushuaia, Argentina is more southerly, but well smaller. The site, which was identified in early English navigational documents, was known as "Sandy Point." The 17th century explorer John Byron is sometimes given credit for the naming. But it was not until much later than any sort of city was settled by the Chilean government (1849). The name Punta Arenas grew out of the Spanish term 'Punta Arenosa', which was a literal translation of the English name 'Sandy Point'. The city has also been known at "Magallanes" though today that term is normally used to describe the administrative region which includes the city.

Two early Spanish settlements attempted along this coast (on the Straits of Magellan), including the first (1584), called Nombre de Jesús, failed in large part due to the harsh weather and difficulty in obtaining food and water, and the enormous distances from other Spanish ports. A second colony was attempted at another location, Fuerte Bulnes. This became known later as Puerto Hambre, sometimes translated as Port Starvation. These Spanish settlements had been established with the intent to prevent piracy by English pirates, by controlling the Straits of Magellan. Ironically it was an English pirate captain, Thomas Cavendish, who rescued the last surviving member of Fuerte Bulnes in 1587.

In the mid-19th century, Chile used Punta Arenas as a penal colony. In 1877 a mutiny, known as "El Motín de los Artilleros" (Mutiny of the Artillerymen) led to the destruction of a large part of the town and the murder of many civilians not directly associated with the prison. In time the city was restored and with the growth of the sheep industry and the discovery of gold, as well as increasing trade via sailing ships, began to prosper. Between about 1890 and 1940, the Magallanes region became one of the world's most important sheep-raising regions, with one company (Sociedad Explotadora de Tierra del Fuego) controlling over 10,000 square kilometres in southern Chile and Argentina. The headquarters of this company and the residences of the owners were in Punta Arenas. Visitors today can get a glimpse of the economic stature of the city, or at least of its leading citizens, by touring the Sarah Braun museum (sometimes called Braun-Menéndez mansion) in the center of Punta Arenas. Other popular attractions include the two nearby rookeries for Magellanic penguins, and the rebuilt site of the failed Fuerte Bulnes settlement.

The Punta Arenas harbour, although exposed to storms, was considered one of the most important in Chile before the construction of the Panama Canal, because it was used by ships to prepare for the difficult passage around Cape Horn. Today it is mostly used by tourism cruises and scientific expeditions. The city is often a jumping-off point for Antarctic expeditions, although these days Ushuaia is the more frequently used port.

By 2006 the economy of Punta Arenas and the region had diversified considerably, and the city is vibrant and modern. Chile's principal oil reserves, though small, are located here, along with some low-grade coal. A modern methane plant is located a short distance from the city. Agricultural production, including sheep and cattle, continues to play a significant role, while tourism has contributed to its popularity and steady growth. Fisheries and silviculture are also significant here. A regular ferry service connects Punta Arenas with the main island of Tierra del Fuego and a less frequent ferry runs to the Chilean town of Puerto Williams. A modern airport serves international connections and is often a stopping point for aircraft going to or coming from Antarctica. Paved highways connect Punta Arenas with Argentina.

Punta Arenas is the biggest city in the Chilean Patagonian Region. In 2000, it had a population of 120,000.

Climate

The seasonal temperature in Punta Arenas is greatly moderated by its proximity to the ocean, with weather.com specifying average lows in July near 31 °F (−1 °C) and highs in January of 57 °F (14 °C). This is not to say that it is known for stable constant temperatures, only small variability with season. Punta Arenas is also quite dry, with only 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain in its wettest month of May. Among Chileans the city is also known for its strong winds (up to 130 km/hour). Winds tend to be strongest during the summer when city officials put up ropes in the downtown area to assist with unique wind currents created by the buildings.

Tourism

Patagonia is recognized worldwide for amazing sights and wilderness. Interesting places to visit include:

Penguin colonies in Seno Otway and Magdalena Island.
Rey Jorge Island Natural Sea Park (whale observation).
Torres del Paine National Park, near Puerto Natales.
Seno Skyring
Puerto Hambre, an early Spanish colony which failed and under the name of Port Famine became a Royal Navy base. It was here that Captain Pringle Stokes, the captain of HMS Beagle, shot himself in his cabin due to severe depression and temporary command was given to Lieutenant W.G. Skyring.

The city of Punta Arenas has a rich history, reflected in places such as:

Regional Museum, with historical artifacts and part of the Braun-Menéndez Mansion.
Maggiorino Borgatello Museum, Salesian Society museum of natural history and prehispanic ethnic groups.
Punta Arenas Cemetery.
Cerro Mirador Ski Center, which has a beautiful view of the Strait of Magellan.

External links

Cities in Chile

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Climate

Tourism

See also

External links