Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego
The national park,created in 1960, is located in the Province of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, adjacent to the international border with Chile. It covers 63,000 hectares (155 676 acres) of the southern end of the Andes.
The climate of the region is moderately cold and humid, without a dry season, having an average annual precipitation that fluctuates at about 700 mm (28 in), reaching its maximum in the autumn. The influence of the sea and the incidence of winds coming from the west throughout the year create a uniform climate. The average temperatures are near 0°C (32°F) in the winter and about 10°C (50°F) in the summer . The snow is abundant, accumulating for long periods in the valleys and on the slopes.
Archaeological studies indicate the existence of various indigenous groups in Tierra del Fuego at the time of the arrival of the European explorers. The area of the national park was inhabited by canoeist groups known as Yamanas. There exist numerous archaeological deposits represending to this group. The people camped on the beaches because of the available marine resources. Their homes were huts, constructed from trunks and branches of trees. Their clothes were made from the skins of the marine wolf.
In 1911, a military prison was built at the city of Ushuaia. Eventually, it became a federal penitentiary. Finally, it was used to house political prisoners. Outside the prison, the inmates were involved in public works. For the forest industry, the most southerly railroad in the world was built. Wood was used as fuel for the narrow-gauge locomotives. The railroad ceased operations in 1947. Evidence of the extensive logging can be seen in the park. Since the formation of the park, reforestration has taken place.
I would like to thank Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego and Administracion de Parques Nacionales de Argentina for the information which I have obtained from their websites for this page.
(This page was updated in December 2012.)
