Tierra del Fuego, Chile & Argentina

Tierra del Fuego is an archipelago 73,753 km2 (28,476 sq mi) off the southernmost tip of the South American mainland, across the Strait of Magellan. The southern point of the archipelago forms Cape Horn. The archipelago consists of a main island (Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego), and a group of smaller islands. The main island is separated between Argentina and Chile.

Tierra Del Fuego island is vulnerably situated at the point where two of the world's major oceans meet, and is consequently stormy for much of the year. The region combines a vast array of natural elements, including mountains, the sea, glaciers and forests. The town of Puerto Williams is located on the southern edge of the Beagle Channel, and is the southernmost town in the world.

Things to See & Do

* Tierra del Fuego National Park
* Puerto Williams
* Cape Horn
* Patagonian Andes

Cruise Season - Jan - Dec
Currency - Peso (CLP)
Language - Spanish
Land Area - 47,992 km² (Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego)
Population - 2,500 approx (Puerto Williams)
Electricity - 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style
Time - GMT minus four hours
International Country Telephone Code - + 56

Port Location - There are ports located in Puerto Williams and Punta Arenas.

Transport Links - There are regular Aerolineas Argentinas flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and Rio Grande. Air services also link major settlements to Punta Arenas in Chile. Buses from all over Argentina enter Tierra del Fuego via Rio Gallegos. Note that buses running from Rio Gallegos to Ushuaia all pass through Chilean land, so include two border crossings.

A regular ship, the ferry Melinka, links Porvenir and Punta Arenas, and naval vessels supply Ushuaia and Isla Navarino, Chile.