Punta Arenas Cruises

Overview

Punta Arenas is the main city in the Strait of Magellan and the capital of the Region de Magallanes y la Antarctica Chilena, Chile. Punta Arenas is the southernmost city in the world. Discovered in the 17th century by the explorer John Byron, and founded as a city in 1849. The Punta Arenas harbor was considered the most important in Chile before the construction of the Panama Canal, because it was used by ships to prepare for the demanding passage around Cape Horn. Punta Arenas is the largest city in the Chilean Patagonian Region. It has an estimated population of 130,000 inhabitants. Today it is generally used for tourism cruises and scientific expeditions. The city is often a start point for Antarctic expeditions.

Things to Do

One historic place to see in punta arenas is Fort Bulnes. It is the first place that was settled in this region of Chile. You can see stables, the old jail, and the post office.

Another is the Munoz Gamero Square. This is the central market place, it has shops, restaurants, and cafes throughout. They also sell handmade Chilean artifacts.

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