When the phrase comes out of our mouths: “Yes, even to the ends of the world ...”, we don’t even think that by doing so we mention the picturesque expanses of Tierra del Fuego, which was once separated from the snow-white ones as a result of the global whim of nature. glaciers of Antarctica, and is now divided between Chile and Argentina.

Wilderness, thanks to the cruel climate, chilling stories about the insatiable sea ​​waters, annually absorbing thousands of ships and remoteness from civilization, has remained almost untouched. Only in the stone embrace of cities do comfortable hotels and sparkling neon stubbornly reach for the low gloomy sky. shopping centers- a breath of comfort and warmth for tourists who want to see the horizon with their own eyes, standing on the southernmost cliff of the planet. What if the silhouette of a city of a civilization that died many centuries ago appears in the depths of the sea, and revelation and absolute knowledge of the truth of being will come with the piercing Arctic winds?!

40 thousand islands of the archipelago, like a handful of rough diamonds of various sizes and shapes, carelessly thrown by the Creator into the gray-emerald waters, warmed only by the mean January sun. The largest of the islands is Isla Grande. But the harsh climate for humans is a blessing for the main inhabitants of Tierra del Fuego - hilariously touching penguins, to see which is one of the first goals of any visitor.

Main tourist town archipelago - Ushuaia (aka - the southernmost city of the Earth), the economic capital of the region - the city of Rio Grande.

How to get there

From Buenos Aires to Ushuaia - more than 3000 km. It is most reasonable to overcome them by plane, the travel time is about 4 hours. From El Calafate to Tierra del Fuego - just an hour's flight.

Search for flights to Buenos Aires (nearest airport to Tierra del Fuego)

Weather in Tierra del Fuego

Spring, summer and early autumn are especially good in Tierra del Fuego. This time is ideal for walking in the national park, cruises, fishing and other trips to these places.

Tierra del Fuego

Popular hotels in Tierra del Fuego

Entertainment and attractions of Tierra del Fuego

The main attractions became the reason for the creation of an extensive infrastructure of the capital of the flaming islands - Ushuaia. First of all, you can study the city prison, or rather the museum, imposingly located in it, and, of course, the Fin del Mundo regional museum - the Museum At the End of the World. After that, it is recommended to board one of the boats in order to make boat trip along the Beagle Channel. For the impatient, a two-hour tour with a visit to a couple is enough colorful islands, inhabited by sea lions, arctic birds, for a more detailed immersion in the world of fauna and flora of Tierra del Fuego, a 4-hour cruise with a dessert - the bride of Magellanic penguins is suitable. national park Tierra del Fuego - a whole day of impressions, analogues in tourist leisure which is not, and the entrance fee is only 10 dollars.

An unforgettable trip will be a walk in the Cape Horn National Park, over which the one-eyed watchman of sailors rises - the famous Horn lighthouse. King penguins have chosen the icy rocks of Snow Hill Island, a visit to which is a real pleasure, because this is the land of the Arctic Peninsula, however, not everyone dares to take such a desperate step.

It is worth visiting the lake with almost black water due to the peat bottom, going by jeeps to the Escondido and Fagnano lakes, or sailing on a rented yacht in the Beagle Channel and Los Lobos Island.

Going on a jeep safari, it is better to take care of your lunch in advance and take everything you need for barbecue with you. If the guide is experienced, he will definitely tell you the parking lots, where you can stop and properly, and most importantly, eat with pleasure.

4 things worth doing at World's End

1. Having visited Tierra del Fuego, it is sacred to repeat the route of the legendary Charles Darwin, who in the 1830s made a promenade through the islands of the archipelago. Who knows, maybe this journey will inspire you to a great discovery that amazed the world, like the theory of Darwinism that arose in the head of a scientist precisely while examining the unique beauties of this land. To do this, you can rent a boat and a guide, having previously insured both, and yourself at the same time.
2. You can become the owner of an unusual trophy by rounding Cape Horn, the coastal waters of which are the largest ship cemetery, for overcoming which everyone receives a certificate, which a couple of centuries ago looked like a silver earring in the left ear. It is recommended to do this on your own only from November to March, when the weather is not so violent.
3. IN local restaurants look for dishes from the king crab sentolia in the menu, the fragrant meat of which must be washed down with the local Chilean Pisco vodka with a strength of 35 degrees. Dinner costs 30-50 dollars.
4. In order to confidently declare to everyone after a fascinating trip to the islands of Tierra del Fuego: “I have seen the end of the world”, you need to visit the southernmost locality Lands - the fishing village of Puerto Toro, where one of the 50 remaining old-timers will pat you on the shoulder with a callused rough hand, while you stand in amazement on rocky boulders, struggling with sharp gusts of sea wind. Address: Navarino Island, Tierra del Fuego archipelago.

The great navigator Ferdinand Magellan during his first world travel in 1520, he not only opened the strait later named after him, connecting the Atlantic with, but also gave the name to the archipelago located south of the South American mainland. The bonfires of the Indians, constantly burning on the islands, he mistook for volcanic vents and called the archipelago Tierra del Fuego. At the end of the 16th century, Sir Francis Drake, on the orders of the English crown, went to Tierra del Fuego and discovered that the island was not, as was commonly believed, a single entity with southern mainland. Since then, on all maps of the world, Tierra del Fuego began to be designated as an island. Following the British, the Spaniards settled here, who built the first settlement in the Strait of Magellan - the city of Ushuaia. Its name in the language of the Indians means "city in the depths of the bay." Modern Ushuaia is still one of the few large settlements in the archipelago. In the late 70s of the XX century, a conflict arose between Chile and Argentina over territorial claims to the Beagle Channel, which separates main island archipelago from southern islands with and serves as a border between states. However, thanks to the mediation of the Vatican, the war was avoided.

Despite the fact that over the past 25 years the population of the archipelago has grown several times, only 3.4 people per km 2 live on this southern tip of the American continent.

Tierra del Fuego archipelago

Tierra del Fuego is not only the name of the island. This is the name of the entire archipelago, which, in addition to the main island, includes a huge number of small islands located not far from the coast of Patagonia on southern edge America. Tierra del Fuego is separated from the mainland by the Strait of Magellan - one of the most important, but at the same time the most dangerous sea routes in the world. It connects to the Pacific, allowing sailors to avoid the extremely dangerous voyage around Cape Horn. The territory of Tierra del Fuego is divided between two states. Argentina owns the southern part of the main island, on which the Tierra del Fuego National Park is located, everything else belongs to the possessions of Chile. In the north of Tierra del Fuego vegetable world not unlike the vegetation of Patagonia, further south the landscape becomes increasingly sparse. Mountain peaks the Cordillera systems (some of them reach an altitude of 2500 m) are covered with glaciers. Due to the cool climate and abundant rainfall, Tierra del Fuego can hardly be called a resort corner, but despite the not very favorable weather conditions, more and more people come to these calm islands who dream of escaping from the hustle and bustle of civilization.

general information

It is part of two states - Argentina and Chile.
Languages: Spanish, Indian dialects.

Currency: Argentine and Chilean pesos.

Religion: Catholicism.

Largest cities: Porvenir (the territory of Chile, 5,600 inhabitants), Ushuaia (11,000 inhabitants) and Rio Grande (35,000 inhabitants) are located in Argentina.

Largest islands: Tierra del Fuego, Oste, Santa Ines, Navarino.

Numbers

Area: 73,753 km2 (the area of major island- 47,000 km 2).

Population: 251,000 people.
Population density: 3.4 people per km2.

highest point: Mount Yogan (2469 m).

Length of the Strait of Magellan: 580 km.

Climate and weather

Oceanic, cool.

Strong winds.

Attractions

■ The cities of Porvenir, Ushuaia and Puerto Williams.
■ Tierra del Fuego and Alberto de Agostini National Parks.
■ Migratory birds in San Sebastian Bay.

Curious facts

■ The Beagle Channel was named after the ship on which Charles Darwin sailed. In 1830, the famous Englishman conducted important research in Tierra del Fuego, which formed the basis of evolutionary theory.
■ Travelers whose journey along the Trans-American Highway ends in Tierra del Fuego can have their names immortalized at the world's southernmost parking lot on a special plaque.
■ Ushuaia, one of the few large settlements in Tierra del Fuego, is the southernmost city in the world. For half a year, the south of Tierra del Fuego is dominated by day: it is dark here only five hours a day.

• Address: Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
• Telephone: +542901421315
• Foundation date: October 15, 1960
• total area: 630 sq. km
• Height above sea level: 600 m
• Category: IUCN II (national park)
• Nearest city: Ushuaia
• Working hours: daily from 10:00 to 17:00
• Entry fee: 140 pesos

Tierra del Fuego National Park (Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego) is one of the greatest parks in the world. To find out which country belongs to Tierra del Fuego, look at the map South America: there you can see that Tierra del Fuego is located in the south. It is located near, and territorially the park is part of.

Climate

Tierra del Fuego is located in a temperate zone, the main features of which are heavy rainfall, frequent fogs and gusty winds. The rainy season lasts from March to May. In summer the air warms up to +10°C. In winter, the thermometers rarely record above 0°C. The average annual temperature in Tierra del Fuego is + 5.4°C.

Park opening

The first visitors visited here on October 15, 1960. After 6 years, the territory of Tierra del Fuego in Argentina was enlarged, and today it is 630 square meters. km. The uniqueness of the reserve lies in the fact that it is the first park on the planet, laid out on the seashore. It includes lakes Roca and Fagnano, as well as part of the Beagle Channel.

Unusual name

Why is Tierra del Fuego National Park called that? There is a legend according to which the Indian tribes, who noticed the ships of the explorer Ferdinand Magellan, kindled hundreds of fires on the coast. Hence the name of the park - "Tierra del Fuego".

Flora and fauna of Tierra del Fuego

The giant area of ​​the park is a natural habitat for countless plants. Nothofaguses are most common in the reserve: Antarctic, birch, dwarf; physalis, barberry, crowberry and others. More than 20 species of mammals and 100 species of birds became the inhabitants of the park. Red foxes, guanacos, geese, condors, parrots and other representatives of the fauna are considered especially valuable here.

Tourist routes

The organizers of the park have taken care of the variety across the territory of Tierra del Fuego. Routes for beginner tourists include hiking along the banks of the rivers La Pattaya, Owando, a walk to the Black Bay. Experienced travelers can go to the Beagle Channel, Lake Roca or Mount Guanaco, whose height is 970 m. If walking is not your thing, you can rent mountain bikes, ride horses, go on a boat cruise. Be sure to take your camera to take some photos in the Tierra del Fuego park.

How to get there?

Those who wish to go even to the ends of the world are unlikely to realize that Tierra del Fuego is meant. The archipelago is located in the very south of South America and has about 40 thousand islets of various sizes and shapes. The navigator gave such a strange name to the territory. When in 1520 he sailed to the islands, he saw numerous fires of Indians, which he mistook for volcanic vents.

To date, Tierra del Fuego is divided between two states: Argentina and Chile. The first got the southern part, and the second the rest of the territory. Northern part the archipelago is in many ways similar to Patagonia, and further south, nature becomes poorer, mountain landscapes appear, covered with glaciers. During the year, the climate here is quite cool, so it is very difficult to call this archipelago a resort. Tierra del Fuego, despite this, every year attracts more and more people who want to be alone with nature, away from civilization.

Here, no one will be bored, because you can go fishing, go for a walk or cruise. Guides have developed numerous routes along which you can go to the mountains to admire the surrounding landscapes. It is proposed to go on foot or ride horses, motorcycles. Also there are ski slopes, so fans of this sport will definitely like Tierra del Fuego.

You can get acquainted with the local architecture, historical and cultural monuments, admire the flora and fauna of these places. When planning to go on vacation, many tourists confuse the fiery belt of the Earth with the southernmost archipelago due to similar names. The edge of the world is in many ways different from other places on the planet, so it’s really worth visiting here at least once.

Be sure to visit the Fin del Mundo regional museum and the museum located in the city prison, both located in the very southern city planets - Ushuaia. It is also recommended to take a boat trip along the Beagle Channel, named after the ship of Charles Darwin. Tierra del Fuego gave the scientist the opportunity to conduct important research that became the basis of evolutionary theory. You should definitely go on a cruise to the islands inhabited by arctic birds, Magellanic penguins. You can get a lot of impressions from walking around National park which has no analogues in the whole world.

Having visited the archipelago, it is worth going around Cape Horn, in the coastal waters of which the whole rests. You need to do this from November to March, then the weather is not too raging. It will be interesting to repeat the route of Charles Darwin, for this you need to hire a guide with a boat, having previously insured them and yourself at the same time. In restaurants, you need to try a dish from sentolia, this is nowhere else.

To confidently declare to everyone that you have been to the very end of the world, you need to go to Puerto Toro, a fishing village where about 50 old-timers live. Tierra del Fuego holds many interesting things. To open the veil of secrets, you just need to come here and get to know the local