Punta Arenas has enjoyed two heydays. The first lasted from about 1850 to 1914, when it was the principal coaling and supply station for ships rounding the Horn, as well as a major world supplier of wool. It was also, by virtue of its strategic location, one of the busiest ports in the world. Its first golden age ended abruptly in 1914 when the Panama Canal opened and ships no longer needed to round Cape Horn. The situation grew worse as wool from New Zealand and Australia began to compete with its major product.
Punta Arenas more or less languished until oil was discovered nearby in the 1940s, and with the subsequent improvement in roads, it has recovered its previous status as an important commercial center as well as a popular destination for tourists interested in exploring the "Uttermost Realm."
The city is the capital of Magellanes Province, named for Ferdinand Magellan, whose ship was literally blown through the strait that also bears his name by a series of gales in 1520. The first European to see these windswept shores, he was so relieved to reach the calmer water to the west of the strait that he give it a name we still use - Pacific Ocean.
The weather is really bad, winds 50 mph, sea is upside down and temperature is 40 degrees. They had to cancel tours as the tenders were too difficult to board, especially for the elderly. Sometimes there was a 3 foot drop between the ship's platform and the tender. Gary & I went in but didn't stay long. The ride back to the ship was a roller coaster with dolphins racing along side. Very invigorating! Pictures on new SD card that won't fit in ships system. Will upload from home.
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