Tierra del Fuego
Quick Summary
Tierra del Fuego is an archipelago located at the southern tip of South America, separated from the mainland by the Strait of Magellan. The main island is triangular, with its base along the Beagle Channel. The archipelago is divided between Chile and Argentina, with the boundary established in 1881.
The landscape varies from glacial topography in the north to a mountainous region in the south, which is a continuation of the Andes. The climate is cool, with significant differences in rainfall across the islands. Vegetation ranges from stunted trees and mosses in exposed areas to beech forests and tussock grass.
Discovered by Ferdinand Magellan in 1520, the region was inhabited by indigenous peoples for centuries. Colonization increased after 1880 due to sheep farming and gold discoveries. Today, key industries include oil and gas extraction, fishing, and some lumbering. Ushuaia, Argentina, is the southernmost city in the world and serves as the provincial capital.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
