Antártica Chilena Province Magallanes and Antártica Chilena Region
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
ANTÁRTICA CHILENA PROVINCE Magallanes and AntÁrtica Chilena Region Antártica AN ANTARCTICA BIOLOGICAL WITH FORESTS? DIVERSITY The last continent on Earth to be destinations, with landmarks such For most of its history, Antarctica was Thanks to complex interactions, the discovered. as the Russian Orthodox Church of a green continent, full of life, similar vast majority of animal and plant the Holy Trinity and the Monument to what one sees today in southern species are only able to survive on The Antártica Chilena is located about to the Antarctic Treaty. Chile. Warm temperatures were the edges of the southern continent, 1,000 km south of Punta Arenas and BASES FOR AN ICY CONTINENT. the result of a natural greenhouse where they have access to ice-free covers an area of 1,250,000 km², with The differing purposes and needs of phenomenon. However, about 28 land, the nutrients provided by the a very fragmented coastline. Chilean researchers and visitors mean that million years ago, the continent sea, and access to migration routes OTHER DOLPHINS. Hourglass sovereignty in Antarctica is ensured each base established in Antarctica began to become isolated and cool to warmer areas. As a result, many of dolphin, southern right whale by the existence of numerous bases has unique sizes and characteristics, down. First, in the inner mountains, these organisms coexist in relatively dolphin, spectacled porpoise, and shelters, where families are both in terms of infrastructure and then in the valleys and coasts, until small spaces, which sometimes sperm whale, and beaked whales. dedicated to scientific research live. accommodation and in terms of the trees could no longer survive. force them to collaborate, and MICROORGANISMS. A universe of Antarctic ice floats on the purest available equipment and usage For 50 million years, the planet's sometimes to compete for food. microscopic creatures survives in waters in the world and moves time. While some may be inhabited climate has been in constant The persistence of these interac- Antarctica, dwelling close to the few along the entire coast of the Chilean year-round, others may only house change, thanks to the deterioration tions over millions of years has possible resources: the sea, land, Patagonia. Here, the blue whale guests during the warmer months. caused by the greenhouse effect, allowed for the formation of fragile plants, and animals and their waste. coexists with the krill, the king the permanent glaciation of East Nevertheless, they are all designed equilibriums to survive in such BIRDS CaPablE OF FlIGHT. They Antarctica, and the appearance of penguin with the Weddell seal, to keep the cold out and to allow harsh conditions. make long journeys to Antarctica and the albatross with the petrels. the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, for the development of complex FISH. Having arrived millions of years to nest and hunt. In addition to which is believed to have served as These icy currents, which rule the activities in an efficient, safe, and ago from warmer waters, today there penguins, members of the albatross a thermal insulator for Antarctica. air and the sea, have isolated this environmentally friendly manner. are hundreds of Antarctic species and petrel, cormorant, sheathbill, remarkable fauna from threats HOW FAR IS ANTARCTICA FROM Today, the new global warming that are endemic to the continent, skua, and seagull families appear and extinctions. A place to admire THE REST OF THE WORld? phenomenon is reversing the in all manner of shapes, sizes, and at different times of the year. and explore, dedicated to science, The closest distance between continent's permafrost in certain colors, yet always adapted to the and that increasingly attracts areas. The rise in temperature has PlaNTS, LICHENS, MOSSES, Antarctica and another continental cold and the darkness. Antarctic FUNGI, AND ALGAE. Despite visitors, who must follow rigorous weakened some of the glaciers mass is the strait known as Paso fish are one of the many mysteries being a decidedly inhospitable standards to preserve its pure state formed over millions of years. Drake, which connects Magallanes that Antarctica has yet to reveal. environment for most of the plant of conservation. Since the 1950s, average annual and Antártica Chilena Region. ZOOPlaNKTON. Antarctic krill is species on Earth, some have temperatures have increased by DID YOU KNOW? Antarctica is the In addition to its geographical the most common species in the managed to survive and thrive both almost 2.5°C, much faster than in coldest, least polluted, and driest isolation, its extreme weather ocean and the key to the survival on land without ice or snow and in the rest of the planet, and winds continent in the world, with an conditions and the fierceness of of the ecosystem. water, and even in the Southern average annual rainfall of 166 mm. the southern ocean have kept this have warmed about 5°C. This is WhalES. Whales take advantage of Ocean. Katabatic winds can reach speeds continent in fragile solitude. It is why nowadays, as opposed to the the abundance of Antarctic marine SEalS AND SEA LIONS. Capable of of more than 300 kilometers per only in the last hundred years that previous seven decades, sea ice only life to feed during their migratory inhabiting both land and sea, these hour. In August 2010, the lowest human beings have dared set foot forms for four months of the year. routes—blue whales, humpback mammals rest, mate, and breed temperature was recorded, based on this inhospitable land, albeit whales, southern right wales, fin on the beaches of the mainland on satellite data: -93 °C, in the one of immense scientific value and whales, Antarctic minke whales, and islands. Argus dome on the highest point the common heritage of mankind. of the Antarctic plateau. and orcas. LIVING IN ANTARCTICA. Península Fildes on Isla Rey Jorge has the ERNEST ShaCKLETON (1874-1922). British explorer famous for his Antarctic adventure as commander of highest concentration of research the Endurance, who in 1914 entered the white continent with the intention of traveling from coast to coast bases and stations in Antarctica. through the South Pole. After five months, Shackleton and his crew were trapped in the ice. Nine months later, The Chilean population center the pressure of the ice shattered the ship, leaving the crew stranded on a drifting iceberg for five months. Villa Las Estrellas and other They escaped in their lifeboats and, after five terrible days of travel, reached Isla Elefante. From there, national bases share space with Shackleton and five volunteers crossed 1,360 kilometers of rough sea aboard a small boat to get help. After Argentine, Uruguayan, Russian, three failed international rescue attempts, the stoic Chilean sailor Luis Alberto Pardo Villalón, commanding and Chinese facilities, in keeping the Chilean Navy’s cutter Yelcho, achieved the rescue. Amazingly, all the men survived, and much of this epic with cooperation and peace was immortalized in the photographs taken by a crew member, Frank Hurley. agreements. This is one of the continent's most important tourist Literature: SOUTH: The Illustrated Story of Shackleton's Last Expedition, Ernest Henry, Shackleton Province CAPITAL Puerto lago WINDHOND The route changes abruptly to ANTÁRTICA CIRCUIT veer into forests, valleys, and peat Williams bogs affected by both abandoned beaver dams and those still in use. CHILENA Puerto Williams This area is part of Transit through Río Windhond BlaCK-BROWED AlbaTROSS the Cabo de Hornos Valley involves several low-lying is a strategic hub GOR A land of immense beauty in the outer al passes. The mountain vistas are M Biosphere Reserve. for shipping traffic A breathtaking, as is the woodland reaches of the world. between the Pacific On August 22, 1956, Puerto Luisa The Lago Windhond Heritage Route habitat, which offers the opportunity was renamed Puerto Williams, in GER IPE L offers visitors the incomparable to see birds such as woodpeckers and Atlantic Oceans. FE honor of Frigate Captain Don Juan experience of journeying along and austral parakeets. The Williams Wilson, who commanded beautiful panoramic views from WUlaIA ROUTE SCENIC LOOKOUT the majestic mountainous skyline the schooner "Ancud" and claimed of the high Andean habitats, Paso Alinghi, where one can see For centuries, it was home to the the Strait of Magellan in the WULAIA ROUTE geography of the forests that cling forest ecosystems, and the the distant Río Ukika valley with the earliest indigenous peoples of the name of the Republic of Chile on to the soil of the fjords, islands, world's southernmost wetlands, Beagle Channel as backdrop, are American continent: the Yaganes September 21, 1843. Territory identified bays, and channels, and bridge to the inland valleys that cross Isla particularly striking. or Yamanas, who traveled across Studies by archaeologists and with the Yagan ethnic countless ravines and watercourses Navarino from north to south and The forest of the Ukika valley is yet the channels in their fragile ve- specialists from other scientific that cross the trail. that blend extensive peat bogs in another world of contrasts, with ssels until the arrival of the first disciplines have shown that remains group. Crossroads of sea and land are a horizon invaded by beaver dams. areas filled with large, ancient . V seafarers. More than 7,000 years indicative of human activity dating The trail leads to Lago Windhond, an lengas and small fields of moss, The Wulaia Route encompasses a part of this landscape, bequeathed al ago, their routes frequented the back approximately 6,500 years unique cultural and natural heritage by the glaciations that took place exceptional place for sport fishing. interconnected with peat pockets northern arm of the Beagle Channel were found in the northern part and, unlike the other circuits of Isla over Earth's last two million years.