Ushuaia, the Southernmost City on earth. It is the capital of Tierra del Fuego Province, which displays, through its typical architecture and town planning, a past marked by European seamen, indian hunters and a prison with a gloomy reputation; all of which offer visitors different ways of learning about its history. The attractive landscape of the island shows unique natural sights, such as the sea, forests, glaciers and mountains.

This combination allows tourists to enjoy varied activities, ranging from fascinating boat excursions in the fuegian channels to Antarctic cruises. Undoubtedly, Ushuaia is one of the favourite destinations in the Southern Hemisphere.

By plane, from Buenos Aires (Argentina), Río Gallegos (Argentina) or Punta Arenas (Chile). There are no regular buses connecting the Argentine provinces of Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego. The trip, however, can be made by car. A ferry service is offered to cross the Straits of Magellan at its narrowest point, which is located 150 km before leaving the Chilean territory to enter the Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego.

History: The aboriginal population was formed by Onas or Selknam and Yaganes or Yamanas and only at the end of the XIX century, European sailors started raising cattle in the area.

The Yámanas or Yaganes lived on both sides of the Beagle Channel and the adjacent channels up to Cape Horn, near the sea. They hunted sea wolves, one of their main food sources. Their body was long and wide in contrast to their inferior limbs. During the incursions of European sailors in the XIX century, The Yamanas were taken by surprise by the brigantine Beagle, after which the channel was later called. Thus were initiated the first contacts with white men.

Pioneers arrived attracted by commentaries on the existence of gold in the area. But the central government was interested in permanent residents, and so took as an example the policy of countries like France and Britain to build a prison in the archipielago. It was first built in States Island, and then in Bahía Golondrina, near Ushuaia, in 1902. It marked the characteristics of the city during the first half of the century.

In 1947 the central government closed the prison, and the building was acquired by the Ministery Of Marine to create in 1950 the Base Naval Ushuaia Almirante Berisso. The seventies marked another moment in the history of the city. Law 19.640 of industrial promotion was passed and many Argentinians from different provinces were attracted by the possibility of working and saving. Since then, Ushuaia´s population has been constantly increasing.

Places to visit:

Tierra del Fuego National Park:: situated 11 km to the West of Ushuaia City.

Museo del Fin del Mundo - Museum of the End of the World: A building, formerly occupied by the local branch of the Banco de la Nación Argentina, located on the corner of Maipu Av. And Rivadavia St., was chosen to lodge the Museo del Fin del Mundo. On January 17th 1979 the Fuegian Government acknowledge HANIS as an advising and cooperation entity. Since then, Hanis, a non profit civil association, became the natural channel for the participation of local citizens in the activities of a Government Department; the Museum. On May 19th 1979 the Museo del Fin del Mundo opened its doors.
Room 1: This room is devoted to the aboriginal groups of TIERRA DEL FUEGO and to the first voyagers that arrived into the island. Its content includes some of the most important items of the Museum's historical collection. The most significant one is, no doubt, the figurehead of the Duchess of Albany. The Duchess of Albany was an English vessel that sank in the coasts of Tierra del Fuego in 1883.

Room 2: The Grocery Stores (Almacén de Ramos Generales) were the most important trading points in the city. There, everything was sold: food, clothes, musical instruments, books, etc. The importance of the men and women in charge of the "Almacen de Ramos Generales" has been unseen by the historians. They were confidants, moneylenders and friends. They did not only provide for the needs of everyday life but they also played a major role in all the events that occured in the city.

Room 3: On September 15th 1902 with all the pomp and solemnity of that time, the keystone of the "Prison and Jail for residivists" was placed. The building, which is now occupied by the Base Naval Ushuaia (Navy Base of Ushuaia), can by visited and is one of the most important historical landmarks of the city. The Museum guards a large collection of items used by prisoners anj jailers (e.g. original uniforms). There are also pieces made by the prisoners as cigar boxes, sewing baskets, penholders and walking sticks.

Room 4: This is the largest exhibited collection of birds from TIERRA DEL FUEGO. The promenade is encircled by the sounds and the songs of the birds. It includes more than 180 different species.

Library: The library of the Museo del Fin del Mundo stores more than 3400 volumes devoted to a large variety of subjects, although most of them are related to the ethnography, history and nature of Tierra del Fuego. One of the best most valuable tresures of the Library is the "Colección Reservada", which is kept in the the security vault of the institution. The "Colección Reservada" is composed by First Edition books writen between the 16th and 19th century by several of the most important voyagers, scientists and explorers that came to Tierra del Fuego.

Train to the End of the World: The wild and harmonious nature constitutes an irresistible attraction to enjoy a unique landscape unaltered by men.

Click here to read more it.

Ushuaia Maritime Museum: A live museum where you can find collections ranging from naval models, the history of Antarctic exploration and other various aspects such as austral wildlife, gold prospecting, the primitive inhabitants and, most important of all, the expeditions and research under way. All this in the Ex Presidio de Ushuaia (former Prison of Ushuaia), a building of historic relevance.

The Ex Presidio de Ushuaia (or Cárcel de Reincidentes de Tierra del Fuego, Tierra del Fuego Second Offenders Prison) lodges the Maritime Museum. The most dangerous criminals served their time in these premises. The penitentiary gained a rather sad reputation, as most of its inmates were repeat-offenders. The building was declared historic monument by a decree of the National Congress in April 1997 and is being restored by the Argentine Navy and the Ushuaia Maritime Museum due to its historic relevance. Here you will find a piece of our past.