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The dramatic landscape of Patagonia Chile offers a feel of culmination and eternity, amidst an amazing display of mountains, shinning icebergs, islands and milky glaciers. Standing on the Chilean Patagonia, one seems that Mother Nature has revealed itself in all hers beauty, colors and splendors, waiting for grand popular accolades. The name ‘ Patagonia' originated from the word “ Patagon ” during the time of the Spanish navigators, who had permanent settlements at San Julian. About 540,000 square miles area of Patagonia comes under the Chilean mainland.
Patagonia Chile comprises two sub-regions, the Aisen in the north and the Magallanes to the extreme south. Places of public interest like Parque National Laguna San Rafael is found on the Aisen, while Magellanes consists of the unique Parque National Torres del Paine. Isolated from the Chilean mainland by impenetrable highlands and violent snowstorms, Magellanes came to public notice only during the gold rush in California. The region derived its name from the Strait of Magellan, which surrounds the place, adding to its natural beauty and glory. At present, Magellanes is well-known as the “woolen hub” of Argentina.
Patagonia Chile is bordered by Gulf of Reloncavi, River Petrohue, Tronador Mountains and Lake Todos los Santos in the north . This boundary persists until it crosses the Andes Mountain to join the Neuquen, Limay and Negro Rivers. Together with the Strait of Magellan, Guafo Entrance, Corcovado Gulf and the Pacific Ocean, Patagonia is well-protected on all side by natural boundaries.
Traditionally, Patagonia Chile is divided into north, central and southern regions, that makes traveling easy on the land for the foreign travelers. Mention may be made about some interesting areas that are all-time favorite tourist spots in the city:
- Spellbinding waterfalls at Salto Grande and Salto Chico
- Pingo, Grey, Del Frances and Dickson Glaciers
- Pehoe, Pingo, Nordenskjold, Sarmiento and Dickson lakes
- Verde and Azul Lagoons
- Torres del Paine National Park
- Punta Arenas, the capital of the Magallanes region
- Penguin Colony
- Cuernos del Paine
