Taitao Peninsula

Geographical location

Taitao is a large peninsula in southern Chile in the Región de Aysen ( Región XI).

Geography and climate

Taitao is located about 82 kilometers west of Puerto Chacabuco. She has a length of about 124 km and a width of 115 km. To the north of the peninsula lies the island world of the Chonos Archipelago. The peninsula ends in the south of the Gulf of Tres Montes.

The peninsula is crossed by fjords and granite formations. It is practically uninhabited and partially glaciated.

Due to the size Taitao still owns several smaller peninsulas. In the south, this is the Tres Montes Peninsula and the north- west, the Duende Peninsula. The Cabo Raper forms the westernmost point of the peninsula on the Pacific. In the middle of the peninsula of huge Presidente Ríos Lake is 352 km ².

The Antarctic ice drift is already driving icebergs towards the peninsula.

The climate is characterized by heavy rainfall ( 3500-5000 mm / year). The average temperature is 5 ° C.

History

Francisco de Ulloa in 1553 reached on behalf of Pedro de Valdivia for the first time Taitao Peninsula. Charles Darwin visited the peninsula on 25 December 1834 when his ship HMS Beagle. 1912, a small railway line in the area of Cabo Raper was built, which served to Leuchtturmbau, today it is forfeited.

On May 22, 1960, the heaviest known earthquake in the world occurred in Chile. Taitao formed the southern border of the quake. This is where the Antarctic Plate and the Nazca plate to each other.

In 1991, the peninsula was covered by ash rain of Cerro Hudson volcano. The volcano is located 50 km east of the peninsula.

Economy

Due to the small settlement of only practically Tourism plays a role.

Tourism

The peninsula is part of the National Park Laguna San Rafael. It has an area of ​​17,420 km ². The park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The main tourist activities are glacier cruises, kayaking and trekking.

• Peninsula (Chile)
• Peninsula (South America)
• Peninsula (Pacific ocean )
• Región de Aysen