Cape Horn

Cape Horn is often said to be the southernmost point of South America. Cape Horn is located at {{coor dms|55|59|00|S|067|16|00|W|}}. Cape Horn is located in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. The southernmost point on the mainland is Cape Froward.

Related Topics:
Southernmost point - South America - Tierra del Fuego - Archipelago - Mainland - Cape Froward

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The cape was first rounded by a European on January 26, 1616, by the Dutch expedition of Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire. They named it Kaap Hoorn after the city of Hoorn, Schouten's birthplace. The Spanish name of the place is derived from the Dutch: Cabo de Hornos (This is a typical case of false friends, which resulted in that the name in Spanish means "Cape of Ovens").

Related Topics:
Cape - January 26 - 1616 - Dutch - Willem Schouten - Jacob Le Maire - Hoorn - Spanish - False friends

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The Cape lies within Chilean territorial waters, and the Chilean Navy supports a lighthouse keeper and his family. The government station consists of a residence, utility building, chapel, and lighthouse. A short distance from the main station is a large sculpture featuring the silhouette of an albatross. The terrain is entirely treeless, although quite lush due to the frequent precipitation.

Related Topics:
Chile - Albatross

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The city of Ushuaia, Argentina is the major municipality in the region, with a population of 50,000. The biggest Chilean towns are Porvenir, on the main island, and Puerto Williams, on Navarino Island. Puerto Toro, a few miles south of Puerto Williams is the southernmost town in the world, unless Antarctic stations are considered towns. The ozone hole has proven particularly hazardous to residents of the region.

Related Topics:
Ushuaia - Porvenir - Puerto Williams - Navarino Island - Puerto Toro - Ozone hole

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