PATAGONIA

It is the geographical name of a region belonging to the southern part of South America. It is covered with the Patagonia Andes mountains, which include Chile and Argentina, and long countryside known as pampas. This region, where many different South American natives live, is difficult and seriously harsh in terms of climate conditions. A unique geography where many different Native communities such as Selknam, Tevelche, Onikeng, Qeveskar lived together culturally and socially for a long time. It has a climate that is felt much more than it is seen due to its proximity to the poles. Strong winds, few but effective sunny days, lands where the winter season is generally dominant. Naturally, the plant and animal diversity of a region that hosts such differences is also diversified to the point of extreme differences within itself. Especially dominant Puma, Guanaco, Ñandú, Armadillo, Fox, Karancho, which are creatures with features specific to the region, add a completely different color. This unique diversity of life is accompanied by the Andes and the Condor (a type of vulture specific to the Andes), an ancient friend of those mountains. The number of people per km2 of the region is seriously very low, in some Patagonia regions of Argentina there are 1 or at most 2 people per km2.

We can call Patagonia's natural climate as cold and dry. While temperatures in Puerto Montt, located on the Pacific coast, reach 0 degrees in the same season, Bahia Blanca, on the other side, sees temperatures of 10 or 12 degrees. Some of the main reasons for this are the difference in water current temperatures running parallel to the coast and the Andes Mountains compressing air currents coming from the ocean towards the coast. This current is also called the Humboldt Current. As you move south, air temperatures drop. In extreme regions close to the poles such as Punta Arenas and Ushuaia, winter prevails throughout the year. In fact, in some winter months, penguins and whales lose their way and approach the shores. In fact, penguins can be seen on the shores and in the coastal areas of the city during some migration periods.

The story continues with Magellan calling the natives of the region Patagonian when he came to the region, and even today, there is no clear information about where the name comes from. What we know for sure is a word used by the natives for the region. We know where the name of the island called Land of Fire (Tierra del Fuego) that Magallan came across during his journey around the world comes from. The natives of the period called this region Land of Fire because of the large fires they set up in their tribes or tent areas. Although this region is an island, it represents the southernmost region of Patagonia. We also know that the region hosted many different Native tribes within itself. The most common of these is Tevelche. Historically, we come across the oldest artistic structures in a cave known as “Cueva de Los Manos” near the town of Perito Moreno. It is understood that the natives living in this region, which has a history of nearly 9 thousand years, generally preferred the region for hunting Guanaco.

This geography, which will welcome you with such unique features, nature and history, is understood to be diversified in its own way in terms of climate and natural animal diversity. Calafate, maqui, mate, which you cannot come across in many parts of the world, is increasingly protected every passing day. You can feel yourself in a wonderland with its own unique diversity of life. It will welcome its visitors with its many national parks where you can see condors up close, and its unique landscapes where pumas can accompany you without being noticed. As can be clearly understood, the Patagonia region is one of the most untouched regions of the world today and one of the most delicate regions that needs to be protected in the climate crisis.