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Patagonia forms the southernmost tip of South America, with Andes Mountains covering the western and southern frontiers and plateaus and plains found in the east. Partly in Chile and mostly in Argentina, Patagonia overlooks the crystal clear waters of Rivers Colorado and Neuquén in the extreme south.
Tierra del Fuego, Neuquén, Río Negro, Santa Cruz and Chubut as well as the southern parts of La Pampa, Buenos Aires and Mendoza make up the Argentinean portion of Patagonia , while its Chilean portion constitute Aysen, Magallanes and the south Los Lagos. Major part of the Patagonian region comprise steppe-like plains, with a series of sudden increase in land heights to about 100 meters (330 feet) above sea levels, almost devoid of greeneries or natural vegetation.
Human habitation in Patagonia dates back to as early as 10 th century BC., with little individual activities concentrating in Llanquihue and Monte Verde provinces. Proper settlement began around 10,000 BCE, owing to extensive migration from foreign lands, giving birth to an assorted culture on the land. The native Patagonian population like the Tehuelches and Mapuches earned their livelihood mainly though hunting.
The mainland of Patagonia is made up of diverse regions and provinces, like Tierra del Fuego, Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut and Santa Cruz provinces and Aysén and Magallanes regions. The climate in all these places is warmer during the summers in the east. The western slope, however, is swept by the chilled wind currents, thereby bringing down the overall temperature. The Westerly Winds blowing over the land all round the year, exert moderate effect on the general climatic condition. The rain shadow effect of the Patagonian land allows some 4,000 to 7,000 mm and 200 mm of annual precipitation on the western and eastern sides respectively.
The vegetative growths of Patagonia , consisting mainly of scrublands vary extensively with differences in altitude, temperature and precipitation. Along with a rich fauna reserve comprising mammals like Guanaco, Cougar, Zorro or Brazilian fox, Zorrino and Tuco-tuco, birds such as Carrion-hawk, long-tailed green Parakeets, Hummingbirds Flamingo, upland Goose, Steamer Duck, as well as Whales, Emperor Penguins, Orca elephant Seals maintain a perfect ecological balance in Patagonia.
The economy of Patagonia receives considerable support from activities like sheep rearing in the south, wheat and fruit agricultures in the north, as well as mining and whaling. Production of energy being a major part of the local Patagonian economy also brings in sufficient wealth to the national exchequer. Finally, it is the extensive development of travel and tourism industry in the country, which rate the country to be one of the most financially developed countries of the world.
