Ushuaia , Argentina

Ushuaia , Argentina

Ushuaia , Argentina is the southernmost city of the world. Ushuaia is the capitol of the province of Tierra de1 Fueqo, Antarctica and South Atlantic Islands .

It is situated on the border of the Beagle Channel and surrounded by Mount Martial .  Between 1884 and 1 947, the town was the site for a prison colony that housed some of the most notorious criminals and many political prisoners. This prison was instrumental in the initial growth of the town, which today is home to over 65,000 people. The penal institution is now the Museo Maritimo. On display is the history of the prison, along with scale models of many famous ships.

Interesting sights include the Parque National Tierra Del Fuego, with its bays, lakes, rivers, glaciers and high mountain peaks. Located approximately 11 miles west of Ushuaia, this coastal national park covers more than 156,000 acres.  One might see an Andean Condor or the maritime black-browed albatross.  Catch the Ferrocarril Austral Fueguino, also known as “The End of the World Train”. This tourist train was originally constructed to assist the logging industry, and was part of the city’s penal history, known once as the “Train of Prisoners”, but is now being used to conduct scenic tours of the forest.