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Situated on the southern end of Argentina in Tierra
del Fuego (Land of Fire), Ushuaia is considered the southernmost
city in the world and has a population close to 45,000
inhabitants. The first settlers colonized the area in 1871. In
1902, the Argentinean government built a penitentiary here that
functioned until 1947. Given the name "jail at the end of the
world", today it serves as a museum about the natives, the
local history, and the disasters of this region.
The climate varies from temperate in spring and summer, to cold in
the winter, but without very extreme temperatures. However, there
is plenty of snow during the winter.
There are many interesting sites to tour in the city, among them,
the Maritime Museum, located in one of the pavilions of the old
prison, the former residence of Ramon Cortez, the Port where cargo
and passengers alike come and go, and the Museum at the End of the
World.
The sea that borders Ushuaia is rich in shellfish such as mussels
and lapas, and crustaceans like the spider crab. You can also
taste a variety of native fish in the countless restaurants of the
region along with the traditional Fuegian lamb barbecue.
In the wintertime you can enjoy alpine and cross-country skiing as
well as riding along in a sleigh pulled by dogs.
In the summertime there are excursions to visit the Harberton
cattle ranch and a wide range of activities such as hiking,
trekking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and sport fishing
between the months of November and March.
Moreover, there are cruises that go to Antarctica throughout most
of the year as well as excursions on catamaran that pass by the
Lapataia Bay, Beagle Channel, the Lighthouse at the End of the
World, Cape Horn, and Puerto Williams.
One of the main attractions of the region is the Tierra del Fuego
National Park, established in 1960, next to the Chilean border.
This park boasts a diverse display of vegetation among which the
magnificent forests of lenga, Magellan coigue, and guindo trees
stand out. There are several organized excursions that allow you
to tour the park, as well as camp, go sport fishing, practice
nautical sports (no motors), and in the winter, ski.
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Location
Tierra del Fuego Province, Antarctica and South Atlantic
Islands.
When to go
Year-round.
Attractions
Ecological, cultural, sports.
How to get there
The most utilized method of transportation is to go by plane
from the Falkland Islands International Airport. You can
also get there by boat.
Activities
Hikes, winter sports, sport fishing, photographic safaris,
nautical tours.
Services
Accommodations, restaurants, transportation.
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