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Ushuaia

Argentina · South America
Aerial view of the center of Ushuaia, Argentina.
Photo: Deensel, CC BY 2.0

The background

Ushuaia ( oo-SWY-ə, Spanish: [uˈswaja]) is the capital of Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur Province, Argentina. With a population of 89,606 and a location below the 54th parallel south latitude, Ushuaia claims the title of world's southernmost city. Ushuaia is located in a wide bay on the southern coast of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego. It is bounded on the north by the Martial mountain range and on the south by the Beagle Channel. It is the only municipality in the Department of Ushuaia and has an area of 9,390 km2 (3,625 sq mi). It was founded on 12 October 1884 by Augusto Lasserre and is located on the shores of the Beagle Channel surrounded by the mountain range of the Martial Glacier, in the Bay of Ushuaia. In addition to being an administrative center, it is a light industrial port and tourist destination. Ushuaia is located roughly 1,100 kilometres (680 mi) from the Antarctic Peninsula and is one of five internationally recognized Antarctic gateway cities; it is one of two South American cities with that status along with Chile's Punta Arenas.

More of Ushuaia


Ushuaia city view
A Consolidated P2Y-3A flying boat at Ushuaia Naval Air Station
Panorama of Ushuaia/Argentina in the morning
Built in 1893 by order of Territorial Governor Dr. Mario Cornejo, this building served as the Governor's House and Offices until 1976, as Territorial Police Heaquarters until 1983, as a historic house
Photo: Tetraktys, CC BY-SA 3.0