Ushuaia Travel Guide
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461km (286 miles) SW of Punta Arenas; 594km (368 miles) S of Río Gallegos
The name Ushuaia comes from the Yamana Indian language meaning "bay penetrating westward," a fairly simple appellation for a city situated in such a spectacular location. It's the southernmost city in the world (although the naval base and town Puerto Williams is farther south across the channel). Ushuaia is encircled by a range of rugged peaks and fronted by the Beagle Channel. It was first inhabited by the Yamana Indians until the late 1800s, then it became a penal colony until 1947. The region grew as a result of immigration from Croatia, Italy, and Spain and migration from the Argentine mainland, with government incentives such as tax-free duty on many goods being part of the draw. Today, the city has about 40,000 residents. Ushuaia is a great destination with plenty of activities, and many use the city as a jumping-off point for trips to Antarctica or sailing trips around Cape Horn.
