Patagonia
This sightseeing attraction is related to the countries:ArgentinaChilePatagonia is a rugged wilderness with narrow rivers and fjords, steep slopes and precipitous mountains, glacial valleys blown by cold winds. There are natural wonders such as the granite towers in Torres del Paine National Park, Los Glaciares National Park with huge glaciers, colorful sedimentary rocks and stunningly beautiful emerald lakes and rivers.
.Patagonia is a region of South America without clear territorial boundaries, partly belonging to Chile and partly to Argentina. Russians know Patagonia mainly thanks to Jules Verne, who drove his heroes in search of Captain Grant into deserted snow-capped mountains with giant condors hovering above them. It is now a region that has retained its natural identity, attracting both American and European tourists with its ideal conditions for outdoor activities.
Video: Patagonia
” title=”YouTube video player” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” allowfullscreen> Contents- History of Patagonia
- Ethnographic features of Patagonia
- Argentine and Chilean provinces of Patagonia
Tourist information - Shopping in Patagonia
- Where to stay
- Safety issues
History of Patagonia
Discovered at the time of Magellan’s voyage, Patagonia was not needed until the 19th century. The local tribes lived a miserable existence struggling for food, and the few European missionaries supported them as best they could. In the XIX century, the high Indians, who struck Magellan’s imagination, were supplanted by natives of the central regions of Chile, Araucana, but they could not overcome the difficult climatic conditions of the region. Patagonia took its first step toward prosperity with settlers from Germany and France, who planted orchards with typical European fruits – apples and pears – to grow for export.
In 1881, Chile and Argentina officially divided the territory of Patagonia between them. In the twentieth century, Argentina, with its milder climate, relied on the development of agriculture and sports resorts in the Andes, while Chile focused on eco-tourism, cattle breeding and fishing, keeping minimal infrastructure as a matter of principle.
‘ King Araucanians in Patagonia
Argentine and Chilean provinces of Patagonia
To understand the diversity of tourist offers of Patagonia is quite difficult due to the heterogeneity of climate and infrastructure. Schematically, the situation can be visualized as follows: the more southern the area, the closer to pristine nature, respectively, the more northern, the better the service.
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Rio Negro
The northernmost province of Patagonia has managed in recent decades to become Argentina’s leader in winter sports and has become internationally renowned. The beach areas are popular mainly with locals. The largest flow of climbers, fishermen and skiers is received by the resort town of San Carlos de Bariloche, lying in the lowlands surrounded by mountains and lakes. It adjoins the borders of Nahuel Huapi, the oldest national park in the country. Modern hotels have been built along its perimeter, there are hiking trails near the borders, and pleasure boats ply the lakes.
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The settlements of the mountainous Rio Negro are connected by bus service. On the coast by sea go lovers of inexpensive beach vacations on sandy ocean beaches. The seasonal water temperature here is +25 °C. Mostly in the coastal part of Rio Negro built 2-star hotels, in the higher category in the future will move to the place Playas Doradas with a 3-kilometer beach and all kinds of water recreation, including diving.
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Chubut
South of the Rio Negro, in the province of Chubut, the range of fauna available for observation is expanding. On the Valdes Peninsula, the mating games of southern right whales and colonies of penguins can be observed every year from May. The town of Escuelle is located near Los Alerces National Park, known for its ancient trees. Here also lies the glacial lake Menendez. Fishing and boating in its waters is prohibited, but tourists overcome many kilometers of hiking trails just to admire the magnificent scenery.
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Anyone who can’t imagine life without fishing will find themselves at Lake Puelo in the national park of the same name. In the coastal city of Puerto Madryn, connected to major Argentine cities by air routes, travelers watch dolphins, sea elephants, ostrich-nandu, kayaking, canoeing, surfing. An important attraction in Chubut is the 75-kilometer La Trochita narrow gauge railroad with cars from the 1920s, still in operation for tourists.
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Los Lagos
Patagonia includes the southern part of the Chilean province of Los Lagos, named for the abundance of lakes with excellent fishing conditions. The climate and terrain with numerous fjords here is somewhat reminiscent of Norwegian. Rural ecotourism, bird watching, rafting and kayaking are actively developed in the region. The climate in Los Lagos is moderate, it is already too cold for a beach vacation in the Chilean territory of Patagonia.
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Aysen del General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo
Patagonia includes the mainland Chilean province with a complex name that is commonly shortened to Aysen. Fearing to harm the nature and at the same time to save money, the government of the region refused to develop infrastructure: in Aysen there are many gravel roads, which from April to November become inaccessible due to the abundance of snow. At this time the settlements are connected only by small airplane flights. Fishing and rest from civilization is the main occupation of tourists who come here.
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Magallanes y la Antarctica-Chilena
The continental part of the southernmost Chilean province of Chilena traditionally belongs to Patagonia. Tourists will find freshwater and saltwater fishing, challenging trails through national parks, mostly made up of glaciers.
‘ Navy SEALs in Patagonia
Shopping in Patagonia
People go to Patagonia for experiences rather than shopping, but there is plenty to spend money on here too. It is mostly souvenir shops, small snack bars and restaurants. Argentine province of Rio Negro supplies fruits and berries to Europe and Russia, so tourists have a chance to try them on the spot. In southern Chile, king crab and eel are caught, and export-quality beef, pork, and horse meat are produced. In southern Argentina and Chile, elite yarn is produced from the wool of local sheep.
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Where to stay
