Memorial to Hernando de Magallanes in Punta Arenas. It is a tradition among sailors who cross the strait for first time to kiss the foot of the Patagon siting under Magellan

Situation of Punta Arenas, in the North shore of the Strait of Magellan

Sunrise view of the Strait of Magellan

Plaque in El Magallanes journal building in Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas (literally in Spanish: "Sands Point") is the most prominent settlement on the Strait of Magellan and the capital of the Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region, Chile, and is claimed to be the world's southernmost city. (Ushuaia, Argentina also makes this claim, but is much smaller). Punta Arenas is the third largest city in the entire Patagonian Region, after the more northerly Argentine cities of Neuquén and Comodoro Rivadavia. In 2002, it had a population of 120,000.^[1] It is roughly 1418.4 km from the coast of Antarctica. Punta Arenas, Chile File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... A true-color Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite image, the entire Strait is visible A map of the Strait of Magellan The Strait of Magellan is a navigable sea route immediately south of mainland Chile, South America and north of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego. ... Tierra del Fuego Cerro Sombrero Village, Chile. ... // A nickname is a name of a person or thing other than its proper name. ... Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region is the southernmost, largest and second least populated region of Chile. ... Magallanes Province is part of the Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region, located on the Northern coast of the Strait of Magellan, its capital city is Punta Arenas, being its upper limit Ultima Esperanza and Tierra del Fuego its southern one. ... Year 1848 (MDCCCXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... December 18 is the 352nd day of the year (353rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Area is a physical quantity expressing the size of a part of a surface. ... Square kilometre (US spelling: Square kilometer), symbol km², is an SI unit of surface area. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... Population density by country, 2006 Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1022x1363, 417 KB) Memorial to Magallanes in Punta Arenas (Chile) I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1022x1363, 417 KB) Memorial to Magallanes in Punta Arenas (Chile) I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Ferdinand Magellan, see Ferdinand Magellan Railcar. ... The Patagones were a legendary tribe of native giants that Ferdinand Magellan and his crew claimed to have seen while exploring South America in the 1520s. ... Cities of Tierra del Fuego This map was created with this online map creation tool. ... Cities of Tierra del Fuego This map was created with this online map creation tool. ... Image File history File links Strait_of_magellan_dawn. ... Image File history File links Strait_of_magellan_dawn. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 447 pixelsFull resolution (1205 × 674 pixel, file size: 325 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 447 pixelsFull resolution (1205 × 674 pixel, file size: 325 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... A true-color Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite image, the entire Strait is visible A map of the Strait of Magellan The Strait of Magellan is a navigable sea route immediately south of mainland Chile, South America and north of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego. ... Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region is the southernmost, largest and second least populated region of Chile. ... Ushuaia (pronounced ) is the capital of the Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego, and the worlds southernmost city. ... Patagonia, as most commonly defined (in orange). ... Neuquén is the capital city of the Argentine province of Neuquén, located on the east of the province, at the confluence of the Limay and Neuquén rivers. ... Comodoro Rivadavia is a city in the Patagonian province of Chubut in southern Argentina, located on the Gulf of San Jorge, an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, at the foot of the Cerro Chenque mountain. ...

The Magallanes region is considered part of Chilean Patagonia. Magallanes is Spanish for Magellan, the explorer who, while circumnavigating the earth for Spain, passed close to the present site of Punta Arenas in 1520. Ferdinand Magellan, see Ferdinand Magellan Railcar. ... Year 1520 (MDXX) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. ...

Located on the Brunswick Peninsula, Punta Arenas is the southernmost city of its size in the world. Early English navigational documents referred to its location as "Sandy Point." Brunswick Peninsula (Spanish: ) is a large peninsula in Magallanes y la Antártica Region, Patagonia, Chile, at . ...

Etymology

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 (1843). 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 as "Magallanes" though today that term is normally used to describe the administrative region which includes the city. Punta Arenas has also been called "the city of the red roofs" for the red-painted metal roofs that characterised the city for many years, although since about 1970 the availability of other colours in protective finishes for the characteristic metal roofing has resulted in greater variety. John Byron (November 8, 1723 – April 10, 1786) was a British vice-admiral. ...

History

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, Rey don Felipe, was attempted at another location some 80 kilometers south of Punta Arenas. This became known later as Puerto Hambre, sometimes translated as Port Starvation or Famine Port. 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 Puerto Hambre in 1587. 1584 was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... Puerto Hambre, also known as Puerto del Hambre and at one time as Port Famine, is a historic settlement site at Buena Bay on the west side of the Strait of Magellan approximately 58 km (36 miles) south of Punta Arenas in the Región de Magallanes y la Ant... Thomas Cavendish (1555-1592) was born in Trimley St. ... 1587 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ...

As said above, on the year 1843 the Chilean government sent an expedition with the appointed task of establishing a permanent settlement on the shores of the Strait of Magellan. For this it built and commissioned a small sail ship called Goleta Ancud, which under the command of the British sailor John Williams transported a crew of 21 people (captain, eighteen crew, two women), plus cargo, to accomplish the mandate of the Chilean government. The founding act of the settlement took place on the 21st of September 1843. Year 1843 (MDCCCXLIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Although the site was perfectly suited for a military garrison with the mission of coastal defence, since it is located on top of a small rocky peninsula, it was ill prepared to become a proper civilian settlement. With this in mind the Military Governor, José de los Santos Mardones, decided in 1848 to move the settlement to its current location, on the sides of the Las Minas river, renaming it Punta Arenas.

In the mid-19th century, Chile used Punta Arenas as a penal colony and a disciplinary posting for military personnel with "problematic" behaviour, as well as a place for immigrant colonisation. 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. Binomial name Spheniscus magellanicus (Forster, 1781) The Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) is a South American penguin, breeding in coastal Argentina, Chile and the Falkland Islands, with some migrating to Brazil. ...

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. Two Panamax running the Miraflores Locks The Panama Canal (Spanish: ) is a major ship canal that traverses the Isthmus of Panama in Central America, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. ... Cape Horn from the South. ... Ushuaia (pronounced ) is the capital of the Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego, and the worlds southernmost city. ...

Economy

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 methanol 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. For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, carbinol, wood alcohol, wood naptha or wood spirits, is a chemical compound with chemical formula CH3OH. It is the simplest alcohol, and is a light, volatile, colourless, flammable, poisonous liquid with a distinctive odor that is somewhat milder and sweeter than ethanol (ethyl alcohol). ... Silviculture is the art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of forests to meet diverse needs and values of landowners, society and the many cultures throughout the globe // Forest regeneration is the act of renewing tree cover by establishing young trees naturally or artificially, generally... Tierra del Fuego Cerro Sombrero Village, Chile. ... Puerto Williams in Tierra del Fuego Puerto Williams is a small Chilean port, located on Isla Navarino facing the Beagle Channel. ...

Demography

Note the majority of its population, although Chilean, have other European ancestries, especially when it was a colony of immigration: Spaniards, Portuguese, Croatians and other Yugoslavians, British (English, Welsh and Scottish), Irish and Scandinavians came in the early days of Punta Arenas (late 19th century) when it was such a highly visited trans-oceanic port. Yugoslavia (Jugoslavija in the Latin alphabet, Југославија in Cyrillic; English: Land of the South Slavs) describes three political entities that existed one at a time on the Balkan Peninsula in Europe, during most of the 20th century. ... “Scot” redirects here. ... Scandinavia is the cultural and historic region of the Scandinavian Peninsula. ...

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 −1 °C (31 °F) and highs in January of 14 °C (57 °F). 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 43 mm (1.7 inches) 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. The Weather Channel (TWC) is a cable and satellite television network that broadcasts weather and weather-related news 24 hours a day. ...

In September 2000, Punta Arenas was the first significantly populated city in the world to be directly affected by the hole in the ozone layer, exposing its residents to potentially damaging levels of ultra violet radiation.

Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

Tourism

Near Punta Arenas Ski Center

Patagonia is recognized worldwide for amazing sights and wilderness. Interesting places to visit include: punta arenas, chile File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... punta arenas, chile File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Patagonia, as most commonly defined (in orange). ...

• 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.
• Fauna Patagónica "Estancia Lolita". A beautiful place for watching different species of native animals and birds. *Fauna Patagónica "Estancia Lolita"

The city of Punta Arenas has a rich history, reflected in places such as: Modern genera Aptenodytes Eudyptes Eudyptula Megadyptes Pygoscelis Spheniscus For prehistoric genera, see Systematics Some penguins are curious. ... Magdalena Island (Spanish: Isla Magdalena) is a small island in the Strait of Magellan, Chile. ... Torres del Paine, Chile A view of the Torres del Paine National Park The three Towers of Paine (Spanish: Torres del Paine) in southern Chile are gigantic granite monoliths shaped by the forces of glacial ice. ... Founded 1911 Original Name Puerto Natales Region Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region Area 49,924 km² Population 19,116 Inhabitants Time zone Santiago Time Zone, UTC- 4 Telephone Prefix (56)-61 Gentilic Puerto Natalinos Mayor Mario Margoni Gadler (Independent) (2004-2008) Map of Natales in red, in the... Puerto Hambre, also known as Puerto del Hambre and at one time as Port Famine, is a historic settlement site at Buena Bay on the west side of the Strait of Magellan approximately 58 km (36 miles) south of Punta Arenas in the Región de Magallanes y la Ant... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore the Senior Service). ... HMS Beagle was a Cherokee class 10-gun brig of the Royal Navy, named after the beagle, a breed of dog. ...

• Punta Arenas harbour and shipping port area.
• 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, dates back to 1840's.
• Cerro Mirador Ski Center, which has a beautiful view of the Strait of Magellan.

The Salesians of Don Bosco (or the Salesian Society, originally known as the Society of St. ... A true-color Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite image, the entire Strait is visible A map of the Strait of Magellan The Strait of Magellan is a navigable sea route immediately south of mainland Chile, South America and north of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego. ...

Sister Cities

Punta Arenas has the following sister city relationships, according to Bellingham Sister Cities Association, and Sister Cities International: Sign denoting twin towns of Neckarsulm, Germany Town twinning is a concept whereby towns or cities in geographically and politically distinct areas are paired with the goal of fostering human contact and cultural links. ...

• Bellingham, Washington, USA
• Split, Croatia

Recently, Punta Arenas had a trans-national cultural exchange program with Scotland. Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Bellingham, Washington is the county seat of Whatcom County in the U.S. state of Washington. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Croatia. ... For other uses, see Split (disambiguation). ... Motto (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity Cha togar mfhearg gun dioladh (Scottish Gaelic) Wha daur meddle wi me?(Scots)1 Anthem (Multiple unofficial anthems) Scotlands location in Europe Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official languages English, Gaelic and Scots1 Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Monarch Queen Elizabeth II...

Catedral of Punta Arenas Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1536 × 2048 pixel, file size: 404 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) en: Punta Arenas, Chile - cathedral of Sacred Heart (Sagrado Corazón) sl: Punta Arenas, Čile - katedrala posvečenega srce (Sagrado Corazón) File history Legend...

Caption2 Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2048 × 1536 pixel, file size: 627 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) en: Punta Arenas, Chile - a view of the citys central part from Cerro La Cruz sl: Punta Arenas, Čile - pogled na osrednji del mesta...

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1536x2048, 492 KB) en: Punta Arenas, Chile - one of many Croatian tombs at the towns municipial cemetery sl: Punta Arenas, Čile - ena izmed številnih hrvaških grobnic na mestnem pokopališču File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2048 × 1536 pixel, file size: 609 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) en: Punta Arenas, Chile - a view of the citys southern part from Cerro La Cruz sl: Punta Arenas, Čile - pogled na južni del...

Notes

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Punta Arenas

• Excursions and Outdoors Activities in Punta Arenas.
• Listing of Hotels in Punta Arenas.
• Municipalidad de Punta Arenas
• La Prensa Austral.
• General information about Punta Arenas.
• Satellite picture by Google Maps
• Traveling to Punta Arenas: How to get there.

53°10′S 70°56′WCoordinates: 53°10′S 70°56′W Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... The Wikimedia Commons (also called Wikicommons) is a repository of free content images, sound and other multimedia files. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...