| Puerto Williams |
Article Index for Puerto |
Website Links For Puerto |
Information AboutPuerto Williams |
|
Puerto Williams is a small Chile an port, located on Isla Navarino facing the Beagle Channel . Its Latitude and Longitude are . Puerto Williams is the Capital of Antártica Chilena Province , one of four Province s located in the Magellanes Region . The much smaller village of Puerto Toro shares Isla Navarino with Puerto Williams, and lies to the southeast. Puerto Williams sometimes is said to be the southernmost "town" in the world, on the basis of this distinction in size. At one time Argentina claimed Isla Navarino (Navarino Island). Chile won control over it following an international dispute. Chile and Argentina have generally agreed that where the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans meet should serve as the border between the two countries, at least in the waters off the mainland. In the dispute with Argentina regarding Isla Navarino, Chile maintained that the island properly lay in the Pacific Ocean. Chile had previously used similar arguments in other boundary disputes with Argentina over territory in the waters surrounding the continent's Southern Cone. Today Isla Navarino is internationally recognized as a part of Chile. The town was named after Admiral Juan Williams, who founded Fuerte Bulnes (Fort Bulnes) on Tierra del Fuego in the 19th century. Puerto Williams, started as a naval base in the early 20th century, has a population of nearly 1,900, including both naval personnel and civilians. Access is by air or barge service from Punta Arenas, 350 kilometers to the north in Chile, or by private yacht charter from Ushuaia, Argentina. There is, however, no direct, continuous commercial link with Argentine territory. Tourism to Puerto Williams and Isla Navarino is being encouraged. The community is home to both an airport and lodging services. There are several trails for multi-day hikes and back-packing trips in the mountains south of Puerto Williams. Remains of the native peoples' campsites and fishtraps may been viewed along the coast east of Puerto Williams. Puerto Williams is home to the Martín Gusinde Museum, which depicts the lives of the Yamana and Selknam peoples who once inhabited Tierra Del Fuego . The Cabo de Hornos (Cape Horn) National Park, which was created in 1945 and includes the Wollaston Archipelago and the Hermite Islands, may be reached by boat from Puerto Williams. The town serves as a useful jumping-off point for exploring this and other far-flung destinations. External Links {Link without Title} ''Information from the Chilean Tourism Service regarding activities in Puerto Williams and Cabo de Hornos National Park.'' |
|
|