Wellington Island

Wellington (Spanish Isla Wellington ) is a very large island in southern Chile in the Magallanes y Antártica Chilena de la.

Geography

From the mainland, the long island is separated from the Messier Channel. The channel is named after the French astronomer Charles Messier. The island is already south of the Baker - channel in the region of the Antarctic ice drift. It is crossed by numerous fjords, quite rocky and has smaller forest units.

  • Area: 5556 km ²
  • Highest elevation of 1463 m
  • Best-known mountain is Mount Nuestra Señora with 1046 m in the south of the island

The most important place on the island is Puerto Edén with around 250 inhabitants, otherwise the island is virtually uninhabited. The town is located 373 km north of Puerto Natales. On the island still live a number of indigenous people by the people of Kaweskar.

The climate is due to the southern location already sub - polar and very rainy.

History

1675 reached Captain Jose de Torres the island. On January 13, 1676 Don Antonio de Vea sailed until about 50 ° south latitude, and thus practically at the southern tip of the island of Wellington. Between 1714 and 1717, the Frenchman Joapchim d' Arquistade the islands explored northwest of Tierra del Fuego. The end of 1899 examined Vice Admiral Francisco Nef Jara hydrography around the Messier Channel.

Puerto Eden was taken on May 26, 1960 by an earthquake of magnitude 7.0.

Tourism

Much of the island belongs to the National Park Bernardo O'Higgins. The few tourists who visit the island, usually go hiking, kayaking or trekking tours.

Economy

Besides tourism, the inhabitants live mainly from fishing.

  • Island (Chile)
  • Island (South America)
  • Island ( Pacific Ocean )
  • Región de Magallanes y Antártica Chilena de la
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