Punta Arenas – Chile
The city of Punta Arenas stands along the northern shore of the Strait of Magellan in southern Chilean Patagonia. Founded in the 19th century, the city grew as an important port and trading center for ships navigating the strait between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries Punta Arenas prospered through sheep ranching and maritime commerce, becoming one of the most significant settlements in southern Patagonia. Elegant European-style buildings and broad avenues still reflect this period of prosperity.
Today the city serves as a major gateway for travel to the wilderness regions of southern Chile and Antarctica.
