Lying 3,090 km from Santiago, Punta Arenas is one of the southernmost cities in the world. It was founded in 1848 as a military fort to reinforce the Chilean claim to sovereignty over the Magellan Straits.

The climate is a cold steppe climate, with an average year-round temperature of 6.5º C and winds of up to 150 km/h. It is an important center for the exportation of wool, hides, mutton and wood; there are sawmills, tanneries and facilities for freezing meat and canning fish.

On a visit you will see the Plaza Muñoz Gamero, the Palacio Sara Braun and the Palacio Braun Menéndez; both of the latter have been declared National Monuments.

From Punta Arenas you can visit Fuerte Bulnes, the Reserva Nacional Magallanes, Cerro Mirador Ski Center and the Santuario de María Auxiliadora.