CAPE HORN



The long route that links the Atlantic ports of the United States of America and Europe with the North American ports of the Pacific coast was, by decades, around the Cape horn, the only expeditious oceanic way, as much for vessels as for steamers, until it was open the maritime traffic between the big Atlantic and Pacific Ocean by the Panama Canal.

The Cape Horn is at the end of the world, where ends, or starts, America, where the Pacific and the Atlantic meets to create just one sea, where the word distance shows in its maxim expression. It was discovered by the Dutch shipowners Schouten and Le Maire in 1616, when they were looking for a new route to the Pacific Ocean.

For centuries it has been the maxim challenge for experienced seafarers that see in its crossing the fulfillment of one their highest maritime achievement.

There is here a sculpture that represents a flying albatross, built in homage to the seamen of all nations that lost their lives fighting against the inclemency of this fierce route.

Cape Horn is 703.8 km. from Punta Arenas and 165.6 km. from Puerto Williams. It can be reached by renting planes or boats from Puerto Williams or Punta Arenas.