Legends of Tierra del Fuego: Interesting Thing of the Day Legends of Tierra del Fuego The incredible shrinking southern continent As an American, I’ve always been accustomed to very clearly defined state, national, and continental boundaries. The border between Canada and the U.S., for example, may be an arbitrary line of latitude, but we all know exactly where it is—what’s in, and what’s out. We know exactly where North America stops and Central America starts; we also know when we’ve reached the easternmost or westernmost edge of the continent because we run into an ocean. Sure, there’s the odd island off the coast here or there, but conceptually, these cause no problems for my notion of what a continent is. The map of South America, though, has always offended my sense of geographical tidiness. At the southern end of the continent, the land sort of swoops out to the east—but wait, that last big chunk is actually an island. Is that part of the continent? And what about the bazillions of smaller islands littering the coastline to the south and west? If I’m on one of those islands, am I on the continent or not? The geological answer is yes—I’m on the same continental plate.

The political answer is also yes—any given spot of any given island is uncontroversially under the control of either Chile or Argentina. But to the average person on the street (or boat, as the case may be), these boundaries are neither visible nor intuitive. Today, we can get the answers to such questions from highly accurate maps. Hundreds of years ago, though, the answers were far less obvious. Speculation about continental boundaries led to some fanciful maps, tall tales, and grand adventures. What Goes Around I was standing in a museum in a town on Tierra del Fuego—a name given to the entire archipelago of little islands at the tip of South America as well as to its largest island, which is known more properly as Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego. On the wall was a map from the 16th century showing the landmass we know today as South America extending all the way south to connect with a vast southern continent much larger than Antarctica. In other words: an unbroken stretch of land all the way from pole to pole. This hypothetical continent, which also encompassed Australia, had a detailed imaginary coastline that was represented as being accurate, even though no cartographer had come anywhere near it.

Europeans at the time referred to this continent as Terra Incognita (the Unknown Land)—or Terra Australis (the Southern Land). In the 4th century B.C., Aristotle had advanced the idea that a great southern continent must exist, because without it the world would be top-heavy. This view was later expanded on and popularized by Greek geographer Ptolemy in the 2nd century A.D. But as of the early 16th century, no European had actually seen this land. In 1520, Ferdinand Magellan became the first European explorer to discover a sea route from the Atlantic ocean to the waters west of South America, to which he gave the unfortunate name “Pacific ocean.” But as he was passing through what came to be called the Strait of Magellan, with South America clearly on his right, Magellan could also see land to his left. When he realized the channel went all the way through, he drew what was for him the logical conclusion: that land he’d seen to the south must be the tip of the great southern continent. He gave it the name Tierra del Fuego (“land of fire”) upon seeing the smoke rising from numerous fires built by the land’s inhabitants.

This name, of course, suited the continent’s popular image as a mysterious and forbidding place. And Magellan’s discovery—apparently the first proof of the existence of Terra Australis—required only minor modifications to the maps of the time. Down and Out It was not until 1578 that Francis Drake, in an attempt to circumnavigate the globe, discovered the truth about Tierra del Fuego. Drake sailed through the Strait of Magellan, but his ship was blown south by a storm; he soon found himself rounding the tip of a large island chain. Now there was another way to get between the oceans—the Drake Passage. Although Drake did not sail all the way to Antarctica, he again drew the logical conclusion that it must be down there somewhere—as in fact, by chance, it was. Shortly thereafter, in 1616, Cape Horn—at the tip of Horn Island—was identified as the southernmost point of land that could be construed as part of South America. In the 18th century, captain James Cook discovered the location of Australia—and that it, too, was not the imagined southern continent, its new name notwithstanding.

Only in the early 19th century did explorers first set foot on Antarctica and begin to correct the old maps once and for all. All of the foregoing is, I’m sure, familiar to anyone who (unlike me) actually paid attention in history and geography classes. But it was a revelation to me, looking at an old map in a museum, that assumptions about the nature of the world—unsubstantiated though they were—could have led to such startling errors, such blatant (if well-meaning) fabrications, and so many years during which myths were misrepresented as fact. True or not, deeply ingrained beliefs die hard. If you never thought you could learn anything from history, keep this little lesson in mind as you read today’s news. — Joe Kissell Worldwide Motorcycle Expeditions - Moto Adventure Professionals Next Beginning in Alaska's largest city, this four-month tour will take you up to Prudhoe Bay in Alaska's Arctic Circle and all the way down to Ushuaia in the Tierra del Fuego province.

This once-in-a-lifetime adventure will traverse the mountains of Canada and the United States, the canyon lands of the southwestern United States and Mexico, the tropical rainforests of Central America, and the widely varied and picturesque landscape of South America. You'll see native wildlife, flora and fauna indigenous to the various regions we'll be riding through. From mountain plains thousands of feet above sea level to canyon depths extending to thousands of feet below sea level, we'll explore the most scenic and unique national parks that showcase the jewels of the countries we will travel through. On our journey, we'll visit large cities serving as the political and cultural capitals of their countries, and we'll experience life in small burgs and villages barely large enough to register on maps. Enjoy local cuisines that are as varied and interesting as the peoples and cultures along our tour. Witness the diversity of natures beauty, including glaciers, geysers, waterfalls, volcanoes, canyons, arid plains, coast lands, lakes, picturesque valleys, and rich forests. Bring your sense of adventure and a good camera. Trip Highlights [Leg One] - Anchorage and Denali National Park - Alaska’s largest city is a thriving seaport town in the south central part of the state.

Due north of this fascinating city is the highest mountain peak in North America, Mount McKinley, which is home to Denali National Park. Its impressive peak, over 3.5 miles above sea level, dominates the landscape. Dalton Highway - This 414-mile road, built as a transport and supply road for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, passes through only three towns on its journey from the Elliott Highway to Deadhorse. You’ll see such sights as the Arctic Circle, Prospect Creek, the Continental Divide, and the Prudhoe Bay oil fields along the journey. The Arctic Circle - The Brooks Range offers breathtaking mountain views, and you may be able to spot grizzly bears and dall sheep. At the base of the mountains, the unique and scenic arctic tundra will offer you a chance to glimpse musk ox and caribou in their natural habitats. Prudhoe Bay and Deadhorse - While Prudhoe Bay hosts only five permanent residents, a population of several thousand temporary oilfield workers keep this small town thriving. The nearby community of Deadhorse offers more amenities and serves as the base for many workers servicing the nearby oil fields.

This area is home to the longest day (lasting nearly 64 days) and the longest night (lasting over 54 days) Top of the World Highway - This scenic stretch of road passes along the crests of many hills, giving riders a bird’s-eye view into the valleys below. Dawson City and Whitehorse, Alaska - The annual tourist census exceeds the year-round population of Dawson City by over 4,500%! Its current population of roughly 1,300 hardly mirrors the 40,000+ inhabitants of the thriving community during the height of the Klondike Gold Rush in 1898. Whitehorse is the capital of Yukon, Canada, and is the largest city in the three northernmost provinces of Canada. The legendary Alaska Highway - Constructed during World War II, this road connects Alaska to the Lower 48 via Canada. This famous road runs from Dawson Creek, BC, to Delta Junction, AK, and is unofficially considered to be a part of the Pan-American Highway which extends to Argentina. The Icelands Parkway - This mountain highway parallels the Great Divide and offers some of the most spectacular scenery of the trip.

You’ll see icefields, glaciers, lakes and waterfalls, along with bear, moose, caribou and other large wildlife. The Canadian Rockies - The Canadian segment of the North American Rocky Mountain range extends from Laird Plain in British Columbia to the Idaho and Montana borders of the United States. The Canadian Rockies form the easternmost segment of several mountain chains that extend from Alaska to the very tip of South America. Glacier National Park - Located in northwestern Montana near the Canadian border, this area became the tenth U.S. National Park in 1910. The alpine meadows, beautiful forests, rugged mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and hundreds of miles of trails make this park an experience to remember. Beartooth Highway - Dubbed “the most beautiful highway in America,” this winding road invites riders to enjoy the solitude and beauty of this road that follows the Beartooth Mountain Range from the Custer National Forest in Montana to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone National Park - The first national park in the United States, this one-of-a-kind area is home to many types of wildlife, ecosystems, mountains, lakes, canyons, and geothermal phenomenon, including the Old Faithful geyser.

Grand Canyon - Dominating northwestern Arizona, this canyon is 277 miles long, ranges between 4-18 miles wide, and reaches a depth of over a mile. The Colorado River, extending from the Rocky Mountains in Colorado to the Gulf of California just south of the Arizona-Mexico border, appears green next to the steep red and yellow sandstone cliffs as it snakes its way through the canyon. Historic Route 66 - One of the first interstate highways in the United States, this historic road gave American motorists and truckers a safe, well-maintained route from Chicago to Los Angeles. Also known as the Will Rogers Highway, this road was the major path of Midwestern migrants to California during the Dust Bowl of the ‘30s. Copper Canyon - This remote area of Chihuahua, Mexico, is a series of six canyons in the Sierra Tarahumana. The entire Copper Canyon system is larger than the Grand Canyon, and in some places it is also deeper. It forms the Copper Canyon National Park, part of the Mexican national park system. Durango - The heavily mountainous state of Durango, Mexico, is well forested and has the second-lowest population density in the entire country.

The Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains are rich in silver, bringing many Spanish silver miners to settle the area in the 1700s. The Colonial City of Guanajuato - One of the richest silver veins in the world was the product of the Valenciana mine located in this beautiful city. Before the silver strike, however, the indigenous people thought the place was only suitable for frogs—which how the name came to be. Costa Rica - Literally translated “the rich coast,” this country is located in the Central American isthmus. It borders the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, and is home to the fifth highest mountain peak in Central America. Panama Canal - One of the largest and most difficult engineering feats in modern history, this man-made canal joins the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, allowing ships to cross Central America without having to sail completely around South America. [Leg Two] - Quito and Crossing to Peru - Quito is Ecuador’s political and cultural capital. It lies in a long, narrow valley in the Andes Mountains nestled between the Volcano Pichnicha and the Machangara River.

Peru has been home to some of the most ancient civilizations in the world, including the Norte Chico and the Inca. Andean Mountain Scenery Around Huaraz - The Peruvian Andes are a narrow mountain chain roughly 110 miles north to south, but averaging only 12 miles east to west; yet within the range are sixty peaks ranging from 18,000 to 22,000 feet above sea level. This mountain range is home to glacial lakes, rivers, waterfalls, wildlife, and foliage. Nazca Lines - The high, arid Nazca desert with its dry, windless, mild climate created the perfect canvas into which the ancient Nazca civilization carved numerous laser-straight lines and hundreds animal- and human-shaped geoglyphs. Archeologists date the lines and figures back approximately 2,000 years. Peruvian Coastal Road - This is a rich and picturesque part of the Pan-American highway that stretches from Alaska to the southern regions of South America. This scenic stretch of highway features fantastic glimpses of wildlife (especially exotic birds) rice paddies, banana plantations, and inviting beaches.

Crossing the Andes - The Andes Mountains form a contiguous mountain chain that parallels the western coast of South America for over 4,000 miles. Because the Andes are rich in flora and fauna, they offer greater ecological diversity than almost any other single location on earth. Machu Picchu - Often referred to as the “Lost City of the Incas,” this picturesque, pre-Columbian Inca site has come to be identified as one of the most familiar symbols of the Incan Empire. Lake Titikaka - The largest lake in South America is located on the border of Peru and Bolivia. This lake sits 12,000 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest, commercially navigable lakes in the world. Riding the High Altiplano - Spanish for “high plain,” the Altiplano is where the Andes mountains are at their widest. With the exception of Tibet, the Altiplano is the most extensive high plateau on earth. Salar de Uyuni - This is the world’s largest salt flat and is home to mining operations for both salt (extracting over 25,000 tons of salt annually) and lithium for batteries.

This area also serves as a breeding ground for three species of South American flamingos. San Pedro de Atacama - Overlooking the Licancabur volcano, this town in Chile houses one of the world’s most significant archeological museums. Nearby native ruins give tourists a look at pre-Columbian cultures, and the stargazing is unparalleled in South America. Scenic Seven Lakes Drive - Breathtaking views of crystal clear rivers, alpine lakes, and towering snow-capped peaks can be seen on the Seven Lakes Drive through the Nahuel Huapi National Park. It is truly one of the most magnificent riding experiences on earth. Circuito Chico - The “Short Circuit” follows the shoreline of the magnificent Nahuel Huapi lake toward the Chilean border. There are several tourist stops, sight-seeing vistas, and photo opportunities along this route. The Legendary Carratera Austral - Running 770 miles from Puerto Montt to Villa O’Higgins through rural Patagonia, this road has been a work in progress for over thirty years and was designed and constructed to connect many remote communities in Patagonia.

Fitzroy Range Near El Chalten - One of the most picturesque mountains in Patagonia, the astounding scenery of this range rivals anything in the world. The Moreno Glacier - The 97-square-mile icefield is the world’s third largest reserve of fresh water, and it is one of only three Patagonian glaciers that is not retreating. It is located in the Los Glaciares National Park and is one of the primary tourist attractions in the Argentine Patagonia. The Infamous Ruta 40 - Throughout the 3,125-mile length of this road, it passes through 20 national parks, crosses 18 rivers, and traverses 27 Andes passes. Just a few of the attractions along this road are the Cueva de las Manos with cave art dating back thousands of years, the Los Glaciares National Park, and the Calchaqui Valleys. Torres del Paine - The Torres del Paine National Park encompasses mountains, lakes, glaciers and rivers in southern Chile. It transitions between the Magellanic subpolar forests and the Patagonian Steppes.

Tierra del Fuego - Spanish for “Land of Fire,” the Tierra del Fuego is an archipelago, which is separated from the southernmost tip of the mainland of South America by the Strait of Magellan. Land’s End, Ushuaia - Known as the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia is the entrance door to Antarctica. It is the capital city of the Tierra del Fuego, and the place where mountains, glaciers, forest and sea meet. And it is the end of our journey.

Trans-America Expedition: Tour Package Double-occupancy for rider - $35,500 (Including BMW F650 GS/1) Double-occupancy for pillion passenger - $28,300 Double-occupancy for passenger in chase vehicle - $29,330 Single room supplement - $6,250 Double-occupancy for rider - $17,900 (Including BMW F650 GS/1) Double-occupancy for pillion passenger - $14,250 Double-occupancy for passenger in chase vehicle - $14,780 Single room supplement - $3,150 Double-occupancy for rider - $17,600 (Including BMW F650 GS/1) Double-occupancy for pillion passenger - $14,050 Double-occupancy for passenger in chase vehicle - $14,550 Single room supplement - $3,100 Anchorage,AK to Panama City,Panama Aug 20 to Oct 21 Bogota,Colombia to Ushuaia,Argentina Oct 22 to Dec 22 Min.8 riders

 Max.16 riders The rate is calculated on a minimum of 8 riders/motorcycles, if there will be more participants on each stretch, the rate will drop significantly.

Tour Included All accommodations in lodges, hotels or permanent tented camps; bike rental (if applicable) and mileage; expert guide; support vehicle; trailer; technical support services; activities and entrances to parks; luggage transport; Carnet de Passage; and third-party insurance. . Not Included Fuel, oil, visa, tips, meals, border crossing fees, tire damage, flights, personal expenses, and activities outside of those offered by the tour. Tour participants providing their own motorcycles will be responsible for Carnet de Passage for border crossings, third-party insurance at borders, and shipping of their bikes. When you book your tour with Moto Adventure Professionals we will send you a detailed itinerary, starting point info, and phone numbers to share with your friends and family before you leave. Giving them the opportunity to join you on your adventure! In addition, we will provide you with all of the information and applications needed to obtain your Visas. We will also send you a complimentary t-shirt, hat and stickers for your bike. And, to thank you for your business we will send you your very own Quest Club Card that provides discounts on your future tours with Moto Adventure Professionals!

Pacific Horticulture Society | An Introduction to the Geography, Climate, and Flora of Chile An Introduction to the Geography, Climate, and Flora of Chile “. . . we might describe Chile as a pleasant and delightful realm and, from whatever point of view we look at it, we can call it an earthly paradise.” The Journals of Hipolito Ruis, Spanish Botanist in Peru and Chili 1777-1788, translated by Schultes and Jaramillo-Arango The long, narrow country of Chile stretches 2,672 1 miles along the western coast of southern South America, comparable to the distance in North America from southern Alaska to the tip of Baja California, yet it is barely 124 miles at its widest point. Part of the Ring of Fire, Chile is seismically active, with a chain of over 125 volcanoes scattered along the country’s eastern border formed by the Andes cordillera.

The world’s tallest active volcano, Nevada Ojos del Salado (22,664 feet), straddles the border with Argentina, and the continent’s highest peak, Cerro Aconcagua (22,831 feet) rises northeast of Santiago, just over the border. The Andes gradually decrease in height south of Santiago to just over 3,281 feet at Tierra del Fuego. The discontinuous Cordillera de la Costa runs the length of the coast, continuing as the coastal islands in the southern part of the country. This coastal range rarely exceeds 5,000 feet, high enough to form a barrier to air and moisture movement inland from the ocean. Sandwiched between the two ranges is a long narrow valley stretching the length of the country, as far south as Puerto Montt. In a good year, Zephyra elegans can be seen in sheets carpeting the semi-desert of the Norte Chico Region.

Habitats and Flora Chile features environments that can be broadly categorized into five main zones, from north to south: the essentially rainless Atacama Desert in the north, the semi-desert immediately south of the Atacama, the mediterranean central section with winter rainfall, the temperate rain forest with a less pronounced summer drought, and the wet south with year-round rainfall. (The Andean alpine zone is a sixth zone that runs the full length of the country.) The long, narrow central valley is too dry to support permanent plant cover in the north and has been altered by humans in the south to the extent that little natural vegetation remains. The Atacama Desert is the world’s driest desert, some parts of which have not received any measurable rainfall in recorded history. In contrast, the far south is among the coolest, rainiest regions in the world (some areas exceeding 200 inches annually),and glaciers form the backdrop to seemingly endless expanses of wet meadows. Nearly 4,300 species of vascular plants occur in Chile’s diverse habitats, of which forty-five percent are endemic, a rate that can be attributed to Chile’s isolation by ocean, desert, and mountains.

The flora of northern and central Chile is mostly derived from Neotropical elements and, to a lesser extent, Gondwanan ones, while that of southern Chile is primarily of Gondwanan origin. Several genera are shared as disjuncts between Chile and western North America, among them Clarkia, Encelia, Larrea, Mentzelia, Mirabilis, Perityle, and Prosopis, as well as over 100 (mostly herbaceous) species. As South America was once a piece of the great southern supercontinent Gondwana, southern Chile shares many plant genera with New Zealand and Australia. Among the conifers, these include Araucaria, Podocarpus, Lepidothamnus, and Prumnopitys; among broad-leaved plants, Caldcluvia, Lomatia, Nothofagus, Pseudopanax, and Weinmannia. Sophora microphylla occurs in both Chile and New Zealand. Climates from North to South In general, Chile’s climate is cool, with relatively small diurnal and seasonal temperature fluctuations, particularly along the coast.

The Humboldt Current brings cold sub-antarctic water northward and, along with the near-shore upwelling of even colder water (which cools and dries the air that passes over it), forms a year-round thermal inversion (warm air over cold dry air) that keeps temperatures on the coast low. The cold air mass extends to the Andes and, combined with the tall bulk of the cordillera, blocks warm, moist continental air from the east. A persistent, high-pressure anticyclone belt sits just north of 30° S latitude in summer, blocking storms from the west; the counter-clockwise rotation and accompanying subsidence of the air mass pushes cold dry air over the land. A double rainshadow thus exists in the northern parts of the central valley. Rainfall is rare or absent in the northern desert, falls in summer over the Andean Altiplano (as far south as the Tropic of Capricorn), falls during winter in the central mediterranean region, and occurs evenly year-round in the far south. In some years, the ocean is unusually warm, causing the “El Nino” effect of high rainfall in Chile—and California.

In winter, a large fog bank sits against the northern coastal mountains (often persisting for days or weeks), usually below the inversion layer, and extends far out to sea. In summer, the fog forms higher up and farther offshore and is blown onshore by the morning sea breeze, usually dissipating by midday. The inversion layer inhibits the upward movement of air and water vapor, so that, even under clear skies, the coastal air is quite humid. Although it is warmer on the inland side of the coastal mountains, their relatively low and discontinuous relief and the proximity of the cold ocean moderates temperatures in Chile’s narrow interior; the country’s average maximum temperature in the warmest month (January) is 86°F and readings over 100°F are rare. Chile is generally cooler than California at similar latitudes and distances from the ocean. For example, the mean annual temperature at Santiago (33° S) is 57°F, at Pasadena (34° N), 62.2°F.

This is due partly to the slightly higher elevations of the Chilean interior compared with corresponding locations in California, but mainly to the smaller landmass of southern South America (thus, less heating of the land) and the colder water of the Humboldt Current than that of the California Current. The Andes are 150 percent of the height of the Sierra Nevada and create a greater barrier to warm continental air in summer. Opposite of the usual trend of higher temperatures equatorward, northern Chile is generally cooler than the south, and Chile’s warmest temperatures typically occur in the central valley south of Santiago. The Driest Desert The desert along South America’s Pacific Coast begins near the Ecuador-Peru border and stretches roughly 2,000 miles south to Copiapo (27° S) or La Serena (30° S) in Chile (the southern boundary is not universally agreed upon), and eastward to the Andes. Like Baja California and the Namib in southern Africa, it is mostly a cold coastal desert dependent on moisture from fog. The Atacama is the Chilean portion of this desert.

Chile’s coastal mountains prevent fog from penetrating inland (though ground fogs can occur here), so the interior is effectively in a “fog shadow” and is generally much warmer than the coastal region. Summer temperature averages are 78°F on the Atacama coast and 85-90°F inland. Parts of the Atacama are completely devoid of life (except for a few species of bacteria), but a few rivers flowing westward from the Andes have enough volume to support an adjacent belt of greenery. A remarkable vegetal feature of the Atacama is the Pampa de Tamarugal, an open woodland on saline soil whose sole component is a mesquite (Prosopis tamarugo). Many trees of this formerly vast woodland were cut down to supply fuel for the nitrate mines that were once the mainstay of the region’s economy. The seed pods offer protein-rich forage for goats, and replanting by local people has artificially sustained the present stands, although the trees still face numerous threats. In a region where the average rainfall is less than 0.04 inches per year, the tree’s presence is made possible by roots able to reach an underground aquifer as deep as forty feet.

Copiapoa cinerascens at Pan de Azucar, in the arid coastal plain below the fog bank The Lomas A unique vegetation type found in the Peruvian-Chilean desert and semi-desert is the lomas (“low hills”) formation. These “fog oases” occur on the steep seaward slopes upon which the fog (called camanchaca in Chile) condenses in a zone typically between 656 and 2,624 feet elevation. Each loma is a unique island community, and two of Chile’s most well-known and studied ones are in Parque Nacional Pan de Azucar and Parque Nacional Bosque de Fray Jorge. An important source of moisture for supporting plant life, the condensed fog has also been exploited for human benefit. At Pan de Azucar, fog collecting nets were, for years, the main source of drinking water in the park; each collector was able to condense about half a gallon of water per cubic meter.

In the 1990s, an experimental fog collection system at El Tofo, north of La Serena, used large vertical nylon mesh collectors that condensed and stored an average of 3,963 gallons of water per day, initially for a reforestation project and later to supply the local town with water. The flora of Pan de Azucar includes over 200 species, forty percent of which are drawn from only five plant families: Asteraceae (daisies), Nolanaceae, Cactaceae, Poaceae (grasses), and Boraginaceae. Perhaps surprisingly, the greatest diversity is in the arid coastal habitats, below the fog zone, that intercept rainwater runoff from the slopes above. Here occur such plants as Argylia radiata, Copiapoa cinerascens, and Skytanthus acutus, as well as many ephemerals in seasons of good rainfall. Euphorbia lactiflua, Nicotiana solanifolia, Alstroemeria violacea, and Leucocoryne appendiculata are among the species occurring within the fog zone.

Fray Jorge supports the northernmost remnant of a Valdivian type of moist forest (about which, more later), vegetation more typical of much farther south that presumably existed over more of Chile in the past, when the climate was wetter. In an area that receives only six inches of annual mean rainfall, the small forest atop the steep coastal escarpment creates its own precipitation—up to sixty inches annually—by condensing the fog, which runs down to the ground and supports not just the trees but a rich herbaceous flora beneath. Characteristic Valdivian species such as Aextoxicon puncta-tum, Azara microphylla, Griselinia scandens, and Nertera granadensis are not seen again for 777 miles southward. View of Parque Nacional Bosque de Fray Jorge, where the dense vegetation is the result of fog condensation The Norte Chico The semi-desert area known as Norte Chico includes the administrative regions of Atacama (which only partly coincides with the eponymous desert) and Coquimbo, from about 26° S to 32° S latitudes.

Although the rainfall, when it comes, occurs in winter, the annual average of less than four inches places this region in a “too-dry” sub-mediterranean climate zone. This is the setting for the Desierto Florido (“flowering desert”), which occurs about every five to ten years with sufficient winter rainfall. Not much is needed: only about 0.6 inches to trigger germination and 1.4 to 2.2 inches to sustain growth. In a good year, annuals and geophtyes sprout from the seemingly barren land. Annuals, including Calandrinia, Cistanthe, Cristaria, and Nolana, and geophytes, such as Rhodophiala bagnoldii and Zephyra elegans, form vast monochrome or mixed carpets of color. Except along the coast, permanent plant cover in this area is absent or sparse, typically composed of cacti (Eulychnia acida), low shrubs (Cordia decandra), and perennials (Encelia canescens).

One of the genera in this area (as well as in the northern desert) that seems unexpected is Heliotropium; the common fragrant garden heliotrope (H. arborescens) does not conjure images of the many species in Chile’s arid regions. Parque Nacional Llanos de Challe, another of the lomas, protects a rich coastal desert vegetation of over 200 species, fourteen of which are endemic. One of Chile’s most renowned (and endangered) plants, the garra de león (Leontochir ovallei), occurs only here and a few areas nearby. Among the most common perennial plants are shrubs such as Balbisia peduncularis, Oxalis gigantea, the herbaceous Argylia radiata, a white-flowered form of the succulent Cistanthe grandiflora, and various cacti.

Typical Matorral in Parque Nacional La Campana, with Adesmia arborea, Colletia hystrix, Lithraea caustica, Quillaja saponaria, and Trichocereus chiloensis The Mediterranean Center The mediterranean climate type occurs in five regions: the Mediterranean Basin and adjacent Atlantic Iberia, Morocco, and Canary Islands; the southwestern tip of South Africa; southwestern and south-central Australia; California and northern Baja California (from about 40° N to 30° N latitudes); and central Chile. They all share four key climatic characteristics: rainfall concentrated in the winter half-year (the most important factor), dry (and usually hot) summers, moderate winters (frosts are uncommon), and the regular, reliable alternation of the warm, dry summer with the cooler, rainier winter seasons. The stable atmospheric high-pressure belts that sit at 30° N and 30° S latitudes are displaced equatorward in winter, allowing the westerlies to deliver moisture-laden storms. With the exception of Australia, fog is frequently present, and, with the exception of Chile, the vegetation is adapted to fire.

Occupying only about two percent of the earth’s land surface, but with twenty percent of the world’s vascular plants, the mediterranean flora is extremely diverse, and the vegetation is primarily open sclerophyll woodland, shrubland, and scrub. Chile’s mediterranean-climate region includes an estimated 1,800-2,400 species and has among the highest rates of endemism in South America. Lobelia excelsa, in the interior matorral. Photograph RGT In Chile, the mediterranean climate zone is between 32° S and 37° S latitudes, from just south of La Serena to just south of Concepción, with annual rainfalls averaging 11.8 to 31.5 inches. Rainfall averages twenty inches at Valparaiso on the coast and fourteen inches at Santiago in the central valley; the highest recorded temperatures at each city are 94°F and 95°F respectively. In Chile, the shrubland vegetation is known as matorral and, in many ways, is so similar to the analogous California chaparral that entire books have been written on the subject.

Differing from California’s chaparral is the occasional presence of a palm (Jubaea chilensis), arborescent bromeliads in the genus Puya, and columnar cacti such as Trichocereus chiloensis. The herbaceous cover is also greater in matorral than in chaparral and is mostly composed of perennials (primarily geophytes) rather than annuals. A particularly good place to see several mediterranean vegetation types together is Parque Nacional La Campana. The Chilean area of matorral is relatively small, extending up to about 4,921 feet elevation, giving way higher up to montane matorral and alpine vegetation. Moist seaward slopes within the matorral region can be clothed in a humid forest (bosque laurofilo), with species such as Crinodendron patagua and Beilschmeidia miersii.

Chile’s coastal matorral corresponds to California’s coastal sage scrub and includes low shrubs, such as Fuchsia lycioides and Lobelia polyphylla, and taller ones, such as Escallonia pulverulenta, Puya chilensis, and P. venusta. The sclerophyll woodland (bosque esclerófilo) is similar to California’s oak woodlands; a typical tree of the bosque is boldo (Peumus boldus), which appears strikingly similar in the landscape to California’s coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia). Other characteristic matorral species include Cryptocarya alba, Lobelia excelsa, mayten tree (Maytenus boaria), and soapbark tree (Quillaja saponaria). Fuchsia lyciodes, characteristic of the coastal matorral Escallonia pulverulenta, in the coatal matorral.

Photograph RGT Temperate Rain Forests South from Concepción, as the duration of summer drought decreases and annual rainfall increases to more than forty inches, the Neotropical plants give way to Gondwanan or Holantarctic elements (though Neotropical elements such as Puya are still present). The mediterranean vegetation transitions to warm-temperate mixed evergreen/deciduous forest with southern beeches (Nothofagus) and the first of the nine southern conifers (Austrocedrus chilensis); due to extensive clearing for agriculture, little primary forest remains at lower elevations outside of national reserves. The ten Chilean species of Nothofagus (of which seven are deciduous) are the dominant forest trees for 1,243 miles southward from about 38-39° S latitude. Shrubs, such as Fabiana imbricata and Sophora macrocarpa, can be seen in drier, more open sites. A temperate rainforest of Southern beech (Nothofagus) in southern Chile.

Photograph RGT Gunnera tinctoria with the widespread bamboo, Chusquea culeou, above Photograph RGT Along the Andes from Valdivia to the Strait of Magellan is the zone of the Valdivian, Patagonian, and Magellanic temperate rain forests, the world’s second most extensive after those of the Pacific North-west. Here, the annual precipitation can exceed 78.7 inches; south of 50° S latitude, its seasonality disappears. Dominated by southern beeches and the southern conifers, the most notable forest tree here is the iconic pehuén or monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana), often forming majestic stands. The other noteworthy forest conifer is alerce or Chilean redwood (Fitzroya cupressoides), which occurs in the coastal mountains south of Valdivia and in the Andes south from near Puerto Montt.

Broadleaved upper canopy trees (other than Nothofagus) include Aextoxicon punctatum, winter’s bark (Drimys winteri), Eucryphia cordifolia, and Luma apiculata; in the lower canopy are found Crinodendron hookerianum, Chilean firebush (Embothrium coccineum), Gevuina avellana, and Pseudopanax laetevirens. The dense understory may include Desfontainia spinosa, Fuchsia magellanica, and copihue, Chile’s national flower (Lapageria rosea). Climbing bamboos (Chusquea culeou and C. quila) can reach forty feet tall and often cover all in their path. Embothrium coccineum Eucryphia cordifolia in a temperate rainforest Colorful trunks of Luma apiculata.

Photograph by RGT The Wet South South of Puerto Montt, the climate becomes cooler and wetter (157 inches annually south of 47° S latitude), and the Valdivian forests transition to Patagonian and Magellanic forests dominated by Nothofagus, particularly N. pumilio, which covers perhaps the largest land area of all the world’s southern beeches. The conifer Pilgerodendron uviferum is common in poorly drained, constantly wet areas. Gunnera tinctoria forms a tunnel over long stretches of the main southern highway (Carratera Austral). The forests decrease in height and become less diverse farther south, eventually giving way to endless expanses of moorland and sphagnum bog with Acaena pumila, Empetrum rubrum, and Philesia magellanica, among others. Although the climate is considered (ant)arctic, with primarily oceanic rather than continental influence at the narrow tip of the continent, frosts are rare and the vegetation is evergreen, kept low by the constant strong winds at this latitude.

This is the home of the world’s southernmost conifer, the dwarf Lepidothamnus fonkii, which reaches as far south as 55° S latitude near the tip of the continent; on wet boggy soils, it can carpet hundreds of contiguous acres. Sphagnum bog in southern Chile, with Pilgerodendron unviferum (dark green emergent at left), Lepidothamnus fonkii (low in foreground), Nothofagus antarctica, N. betuloides, Berberis ilicifolia, Embothrium coccineum, Empetrum rubrum, Escallonia alpina, and Pernettya mucronata. Photography courtesy of the Dendrological Atlas Project Measurements were originally provided in metric; when translated into English equivalents, they may seem uncommonly precise. ↩ What We’re All About Pacific Horticulture believes in the power of gardens to enrich life and inspire environmental stewardship. Outdoorsman’s Guide To South America « CBS Dallas / Fort Worth Related: How To Stay Healthy When Traveling How To Prepare Most of the most popular hiking trails in South America are located in high elevation.

Therefore, visitors must acquaint themselves with the physiological effects of high altitudes and how to adapt to the elevation. A good rule of thumb is to allow at least a day for high altitude adaptation before venturing on a trek or camping trip. For instance, visitors arriving in Lima (elevation 5,090 feet) should stay a day or two in the city before visiting Machu Picchu at 7,972 feet. Photo Credit: Brent Stirton/Getty Images Featured Hiking & Camping Trips The Inca Trail, Peru The Inca Trail to Macchu Pichu is by far the best-known and most popular trail in South America and one of the most famous trails in the world. Due to its international fame and immense popularity, travelers must obtain a permit in order to the legendary trail (Camino Inka) and only 500 trekkers are allowed each day, including guides and other support staff. Of the few routes up to Machu Picchu, the most popular is the Classic Inca Trail, which takes four days to reach the destination. Although the trail is accessible year-round, the best time of the year to do the hike is from May to September, when the weather is typically dry.

However, the nights can be very cold, therefore a quality, all-season sleeping bag is recommended. Santa Cruz Trek, Peru What might be the second most famous hiking excursion in South America is through the Cordillera Blanca (White Mountain Range). Situated within the Central Andes Mountains, the Santa Cruz Trek is just one of several hiking routes through what’s known as the highest tropical mountain range in the world. Beginning from the mountain town of Huaraz, the Santa Cruz Trek is a 31-mile bell shaped-trail with a peak elevation of nearly 14,000 feet which takes three or four days to complete. As with the Inca Trail, the trek is accessible year-round although the best time of year to visit is slightly longer, from April to September. While there are tour guides available, several no-fee campsites can be found all along the way. The easiest way to reach Huaraz from Lima is an eight mile bus ride from Lima. W Circuit -Torres Del Paine, Chile Named after its distinctive granite peaks (Towers of Blue), Torres del Paine is a magnificent national park and natural reserve in the southern portion of the Chilean Patagonia.

One of the most famous trekking routes is the point-to-point W circuit, a four or five-day journey with a pathway loosely shaped like a W. Trekkers can choose to camp in the outdoors or stay at one or more of the refugios (trail huts) for a fee, but which are complete with beds, food and shower facilities. Many organized tours are held throughout the year, but trekkers can do the trip on their own. Further north of Torres del Paine is Monte Fitz Roy, another popular, yet very challenging, trek in Patagonia with a silhouette that is the basis for the logo of the Patagonia clothing line. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador While the well-known Ingapirca Inca Trail and Trek de Condor are popular treks in Ecuador, the more fascinating choice is a trip to the Galápagos Islands . A province of Ecuador, this group of 19 islands are 653 miles west of the Ecuadorian mainland and can be reached by flying from the capital city of Quito or Guayaquil.

Perhaps best known as a primary source of inspiration for Charles Darwin’s famous book “On the Origin of Species,” the Galapagos Islands are well renowned for their impressive collection of flora and endemic animals species such as the marine iguana, the flightless cormorant, the fur seal and the giant tortoise, or in Spanish, the galapago. While open air camping options are said to be limited on the primary islands of Santa Cruz and San Cristobal, there are many budget lodging options such as B&Bs and hostels. Suggested hikes and other outdoor outings include Media Luna (Half Moon) Hill, Volcan Sierra Negra, the National Park Tortoise Reserve and a day of snorkeling or diving. Tierra Del Fuego, Chile and Argentina Of all the notable hiking and camping spots in South America, the most intriguing destination might be Tierra del Fuego. Translated as Land of Fire, Tierra del Fuego lies on the southernmost tip of the South America that’s bounded by the Strait of Magellan from the mainland.

The capital of Tierra del Fuego is often cited as the world’s southernmost city and is just a short distance from Tierra del Fuego National Park , featuring several trekking paths, an organized campsite and free camping areas. A convenient way to travel to the national park is to take a one hour train ride on the suitably named End of the World Train (El Tren del Fin del Mundo), but this does not include park admission. Even though the best time of the year to visit is from October through April, before the advent of the southern winter, travelers are advised review the park map and be prepared for any type of weather. Landforms of South America, Mountain Ranges of South America, Rivers of South America - Worldatlas.com Print this map Amazon Basin: The Amazon Basin (Amazonia) is covered by the largest tropical rain forest in the world, and running through its heart is the Amazon River and its more than 1,000 tributaries, seven of them more than 1,000 miles in length. Measurable rain falls on an average of 200 days a year here, and total rainfall often approaches 100 inches per year.

The basin drains over 2,700,000 sq. miles, and covers about one-third of South America. Rising high in the Andes, the river's network irrigates almost half of the continent, and in terms of volume of water discharged into an ocean... it's the largest in the world. Andes Mountains: This toothy-edged mountain system, some 4,500 miles (7,240 km) in length, extends from the southern tip of South America all the way to Panama. It's the source of most major rivers on the continent, and its many ranges include dozens of peaks that reach over 20,000 ft.; the highest point being Aconcagua in Argentina, at 22,384 ft. (6,960m). It's also home to some of the planet's largest volcanoes, and in the far south along the coast of Chile, large glaciers and ice sheets are commonplace. Atacama Desert: Sparsely populated and positioned high into the Andes of Chile , this somewhat small desert (or plateau) is a cold place, and one of the few deserts on Earth that doesn't receive any rain.

It's approximately 100 miles wide and 625 miles long. The landscape is totally barren and covered with small borax lakes, lava flow remnants and saline deposits. Brazilian Highlands: This magnificent landscape of southeastern Brazil is 800 miles in length and contains varied mountain ranges, namely the Serra de Mantiquiera, Serra do Paranapiataba, Serra Geral, and Serra do Mar. The estimated highest point is 7,368 ft (2,245m). Brazilian Shield: The shield is a geologic formation lying south of the Amazon. Hundreds of rivers and streams flow through this area on their way to the Amazon These rivers contain a large number of migratory fish species. Cape Horn: The southernmost tip of South America, remains a maritime legend to this day, as sailing around this remote point and through its violent stretch of chaotic water is one of the most challenging nautical routes on the planet. Guina Highlands: Over 1,000 miles in length, the Highlands stretch from southern Venezuela to the northern border of Brazil. It's a vast plateau, one marked by deep gorges, tropical rain forests, numerous rivers and waterfalls.

It's famed for the highest waterfall in the world (Angel Falls) at 3,212 ft (979m) high. The highest point is Mt. Roraima on the borders of Brazil, Guyana and Venezuela at 9,219 ft (2,810m). Llanos: This large and very fertile plain, located in eastern and central Colombia , and central and southern Venezuela, is drained by the Orinoco River and its many tributaries. It's approximately 225,000 sq. miles (582,000 sq. km) in size. Pampas: Famed for its many cattle ranches, this large plain in the southern part of the continent (in central Argentina ) extends for almost 1,000 miles (1,600 km), and covers 294,000 sq. miles (761,460 sq km). Pantanal: The Pantanal is the world's largest wetland of any kind.

It lies mostly within southwestern Brazil, and covers an area estimated at between 140,000 square kilometers (54,000 sq mi) and 195,000 square kilometers (75,000 sq mi). It contains an astonishing collection of aquatic plants and a wide variety of of animal species. Patagonia: Located between the Andes and the Atlantic Ocean , and about 1,000 miles in length, Patagonia stretches south from the Rio Negro River to Tierra del Fuego and the Strait of Magellan. It's mostly rugged, barren land, famed for its beauty and striking mountain scenery. Tierra Del Fuego: Located at the southern tip of South America, the Tierra Del Fuego archipelago includes one large island (18,571 sq miles, 48,100 sq km) in size, and a series of smaller ones. It was reportedly named by the Portuguese adventurer, Ferdinand Magellan, the first explorer to circumnavigate the globe. His chosen route through the Magellan Strait proved to be the fastest and safest connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for sea-going commerce and exploration.

Question: What island chain at the tip of South America can be translated as "Land of Fire"?
Answer: Tierra del Fuego