Tierra del Fuego

Tierra del Fuego is a set of islands at the bottom of South America. Its name means 'Land of Fire' in Spanish. The islands are split between Argentina and Chile. It is one of the most southern places in the world where people live. The land is wild, cold, and full of mountains and forests.

How It Got Its Name

Long ago, a European explorer named Ferdinand Magellan sailed past these islands. He saw fires on the shore made by the native people who lived there. He named the place 'Land of Fire' because of the flames. The native people used the fires to keep warm in the cold weather. They had lived on the islands for thousands of years.

The Southern City

A city called Ushuaia sits on the main island. It is often called the southernmost city in the world. From Ushuaia, many ships leave to visit Antarctica. The city is surrounded by snowy mountains and the ocean. Visitors come to hike, watch penguins, and see the beautiful wild land.

Fun Facts

• Tierra del Fuego is only about 600 miles from Antarctica.
• The islands have very long days in summer and very short days in winter.
• Beavers were brought here in 1946 and now there are too many of them.

Did You Know?

Tierra del Fuego has a lighthouse called 'the lighthouse at the end of the world' because it sits so far south.