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Lighthouse at Cabo Vírgenes
Magellan Penguins
Corino sheep
Penguin Sanctuary |
Tierra del Fuego, Land of Fire, is the southernmost province in Argentina, and hosts at the same time the southernmost village in the world, Ushuaia.
The cape is 133km south of Rio Gallegos through an unpaved road, a few kilometres from the southernmost point of continental Argentina.
Before reaching Cape Virgenes, you cross the 26,000ha wide private estancia Monte Dinero. It is a typical Patagonian sheep estancia with about 18,000 "Corino" sheep, a cross of Merino and Corriedale sheep, sheltered from shepherds on motorbikes and Australian Kelpie sheepdogs.
In 1876 gold mixed with sand was found there and the out breaking gold fever turned cape Vírgenes into a vivid urban centre in 1885. After a short time, the gold rush was over, the miners had to face enormous difficulties. The east entrance of the strait of Magellan was plagued by strong, sometimes hurricane-like winds. Nowadays, the cape is as deserted as it was before.
However, this is part of its charm. Especially between the months of October and April, it becomes the second largest penguin sanctuary in South America after Punta Tombo (in the Chubut province). Each year some 80,000 Magellan penguins choose this place for their procreation. You will be able to observe the social life of these funny animals.
A visitor centre and a self-guided path with indications about the penguins and the other sea birds and shore birds have been built. Even so, it is a very lonesome landscape and very few tourists come to this place near the end of the world. At the extreme south of the continental part of Argentina, you will find the cape Vírgenes Argentine lighthouse built in 1904 which is still serving the navigators. The 26m high black and white metal construction offers a marvelous sight over the Magellan strait and the deserted Patagonian landscape. |
