Vognyana Zemlya
FAQFrequently asked questions
What is Tierra del Fuego and why is it named so?
This is an archipelago in the southernmost part of South America, divided between Chile (the western two thirds) and Argentina. The name was given by Magellan in 1520 - from the sea he saw many fires lit by local Indians, hence Tierra del Fuego, i.e. Land of Fire.
How to get there?
On the Argentine side, the main points are Ushuaia (the capital of the region) and Rio Grande, on the Chilean side - Porvenir and Puerto Williams on Navarino Island. The main island is separated from mainland Patagonia by the Strait of Magellan, so you cannot get here without a plane or ferry.
When is the best time to go and what to expect from the weather?
The local climate is subpolar oceanic: short, cool summers and long, wet winters. In summer (December-February) in Ushuaia, the temperature barely exceeds 9 degrees, so a warm hat will not hurt even in the season - but this is the most comfortable time to travel.
What to see?
Beagle Channel for sea walks, Alberto de Agostini National Park with glaciers, sub-polar Magellanic forests and mountain ranges with the peak of Monte Shipton (2580 m). Puerto Toro claims the title of the southernmost village in the world.
What is interesting from nature and history?
The waters are home to whales (southern smooth, humpback, blue), sea lions, penguins and guanacos, and the trout fishing is one of the best in the world. The first people settled here around 8000 BC; the Selknam indigenous people were almost exterminated by Europeans during colonization and the gold rushes of the 19th century.
