PALI AIKE NATIONAL PARK

This 5,030-hectare park is located in the driest section of Magellan steppe, in San Gregorio commune, province of Magallanes, 196 kms. north of Punta Arenas.

Pali Aike is an extensive volcanic field, active from the Pliocene up to recent times. Most of its surface is covered by gush of basaltic lava, which causes the existence of semidesert vegetation.

In the area it is possible to watch mammal species very scarce in other sectors of the region. (skunk, grey fox, guanaco and bat, among others).

The existence of numerous volcanic cones of low height, natural caves, lava formations and broken and irregular areas, make the place look like a lunar landscape.

In the park and surrounding areas are the Pali Aike and Fell caves, where were found, in 1938 excavations, prehistoric rests covered by ashes and volcanic material, that presumably goes back to less than 15,000 years.

As for the climate, this sector corresponds to that of cold steppe, with rainfalls of 200 to 300 mm. yearly and an average temperature of nearly 4°C yearly.

MAGALLANES NATURAL RESERVE

Created in 1932, it is located in Brunswick peninsula, 7.5 kms, west of Punta Arenas. It has an area of 19,625 hectares, with an altitude from 350 to 600 meters.

Soils are undulating and thin, with a water system represented mainly by the Las Minas river.

Rainfall rank is from 490 to 830 mm. yearly, while the yearly average temperature reaches 4°C.

Vegetation is mainly composed of Magellan wood, outstanding Coigue and Lenga. There is also a great variety of mammals: grey fox, culpeo fox, puma, woolly little mouse, small foot lauchon, and a great amount of birds: caiquen, great bustard, small jergon duck, royal duck, thrush, chincol, loica, chercan, tiuque, black carpenter, pitio, condor.

ALACALUFES NATIONAL RESERVE

It was created in 1969 within the western archipelagoes of Ultima Esperanza province, 50 and 54 degrees south and 71 and 73 degrees west.

Alacalufes national reserve has low mountainous isles landscapes, with numerous channels and fiords. It has two kind of climate: "very damp cold temperate" and "isothermal tundra" with a thermic average of 7.2°C and 6.5°C, respectively, yearly. Rainfalls are high, reaching 2,450 mm., with more than 170 mm. every month, but never over 240 mm.

Its vegetation includes coastal grassland and thickets, coigue and peat. A great variety of birds and mammals compose its fauna.

LAGUNA PARRILLAR NATIONAL RESERVE

Created in 1977, it is located 52 kms. south of Punta Arenas. It has a surface of 18,414 hectares at 300 to 650 meters above sea level.

The Laguna (pool) itself has a surface of 970 hectares, completely surrounded by arboreal vegetation. In winter because of the low temperature, the rivers and the pool freeze over, especially on banks, with even 30 centimeters thick.

The snow piles up 0.7 meters in some places. Estimated top temperature of 12 degrees average and the minimum average temperature is minus 3 degrees.

Lenga and bushy and herbaceous stratum represent vegetation. Besides, it is possible to find a great variety of mammals and birds.

NATURAL RESERVE LOS PINGÜINOS

It is located in Magellan Strait, 30 to 35 kilometers north of Punta Arenas, with a total surface of 97 hectares, 12 of which correspond to Marta Isle and 85 to Magdalena Island, with no more than 15 meters above sea level. Magdalena Island, that has a lighthouse in its northeast edge, is with Marta a natural reserve of penguins, cormorants, seals and other birds. Both islands form the natural reserve "Los Pinguinos".

Its estimated population reaches some 50,000 couples of Magellan specie.

OTWAY GULF PENGUIN COLONY


At Otway gulf, 65 kilometers north of Punta Arenas, a tourist and scientific place, there is a penguin colony with about 6,000 penguins of Magellan specie.

Nesting and visiting season is from October to April.