Patagonia is ... Economy, climate and fauna

Patagonia is a geographical area in the south of South America, divided between two states: Chile and Argentina. In this article, we will talk about the climate, economics, flora, fauna, as well as the landscapes of this unique and colorful terrain.

Marvelous Patagonia: photo and brief description

Many in adolescence were read adventure works by writer Jules Verne. In particular, the novel "Children of Captain Grant", which mentions the amazing land of Patagonia. This is the territory of the boundless South American steppes, over which the peaks of the Andean mountains hang.

Patagonia is divided between two states - Chile and Argentina. And the nature of the Chilean Patagonia in many respects differs from the nature of its Argentine part. First of all, this concerns the features of the relief and climate.

Chilean Patagonia - a snow-capped peaks of high peaks, deep fjord bays, stormy rivers and many waterfalls. But the Patagonia of Argentina has a kind of hilly terrain with a fairly sparse vegetation, where strong and cold winds prevail.

By the way, this part of the South American continent hit the camera lenses of the popular British television program Top Gear (special issue "Patagonia", 2014). This time James May, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond tested their cars on the roads off the Pampa expanses.

Patagonia is ... Physical geography and boundaries

This is the only place on Earth where on the eastern shores of the continent you can see a real desert, outside the tropical belt. Where is Patagonia? How do geographers spend its boundaries?

Patagonia is located in the southern part of South America (south of the 40th parallel of the Southern Hemisphere). All this land is poorly populated and is occupied by a monotonous hilly terrain, overgrown with spiny thorn bushes and grasses. In the east, Patagonia abruptly cuts off to the cold waters of the Atlantic, and in the west - adjoins the slopes of the high Andean mountains.

Scientists often argue about where to navigate the northern border of Patagonia. Many geographers believe that the boundaries of this geographic area are the rivers Rio Colorado and Bio-Bio. In the south, to Patagonia, the territories of the archipelago Tierra del Fuego are also sometimes included .

History and origin of the name

This land is first mentioned in the materials of the round-the-world voyage of Fernand Magellan. In Patagonia, members of the expedition met "unusually tall people" with a height of about 180 centimeters. Recall that in the Middle Ages the average European growth was only 1.55 meters. It was Magellan who called the local inhabitants "patagonans", after which this name was used to denote the entire territory.

Until the end of the XIX century, these lands did not belong to anyone. Here lived the tribes of the Indians, who lagged far behind in development from the Europeans and other tribes who inhabited America. Later, immigrants from Wales began to appear here, who established trade relations with the locals.

Since the middle of the XIX century, interest in Patagonia began to show Chileans. In 1848, they founded the port city of Punta Arenas to control the Straits of Magellan. In 1881, the leaders of the two states (Chile and Argentina) decided to share the sparsely populated territories of Patagonia. This process lasted almost a century. Between the countries there were numerous disputes as to who should own this or that piece of land. These contradictions nearly led to an armed conflict in 1978. However, the Pope intervened in the situation, forcing both countries to conclude an agreement on peace and friendship.

Peculiarities of the relief of Patagonia

Most of Patagonia is occupied by the Patagonian plateau - monotonous, hilly and practically devoid of permanent watercourses. Geologically, it is composed of basaltic and sedimentary rocks. The Precambrian foundation extends to the earth's surface only in the northern part of Patagonia.

In the orographic plan, the plateau is broken by canyons and hollows into separate plate-like plateaus (elevations). Between them sometimes run lean waterways and rivulets.

The eastern coast of Patagonia is steep, and therefore uncomfortable for large ships. Rocky ledges on the Atlantic coast here sometimes reach a hundred meters in height. In the west, the Patagonian plateau separates the hollow from the Andes, which is occupied by morainic sediments and numerous lakes of glacial origin.

Climatic features

The climate of Patagonia is dry, despite the latitudes. The fact is that all precipitation can come here from the Pacific Ocean. However, on the way to the western moist air masses are the high mountain ranges of the Andes, which assume almost all the moisture. On the other hand, near the eastern shores of Patagonia there is a cold Falkland current, which only increases the dryness of the climate of the local area. In the year Patagonia receives from 150 (in the east) to 400 (at the foot of the Andes) millimeters of precipitation.

Seasons are significantly different in different parts of Patagonia. So, in the north of the region, in the valley of the Rio Negro, summer is hot enough, and in the south - cool. In winter, throughout the territory of Patagonia, frosts up to -30 degrees can be observed.

Thus, the climate of Patagonia is unfavorable for people's lives and for active agriculture. Dryness, strong piercing winds, frequent snowstorms in winter - these are the main reasons why this area has been sparsely populated for many centuries.

Flora and fauna of the region

Climatic conditions are not very conducive to the growth of vegetation in the region. There is practically no forest in Patagonia. Individual arrays are found only at the foot of the Andean mountains, where a sufficient amount of precipitation falls. The rest of Patagonia is a semi-desert area occupied by rare grasses and hard shrubs.

Classical representatives of the Patagonian flora are Argentine bluegrass, feather grass, fescue and fescue. There are also prickly pears and various cacti. To the south you can find fields of mosses and lichens. It is here that the zone of dry South American steppes passes into the tundra zone.

The animal world of Patagonia is also extremely poor. Typical representatives of the local fauna are guanaco, nandu, hummingbird, puma, and also a predatory bird of condor. Near the lakes nest flamingos and other species of waterfowl. On the southern islands of Patagonia, you can even see penguins.

Population, economy and development of the region

The average population density of Patagonia is very low - only 2 people per square kilometer of area. The settlements of the region are concentrated along the few river valleys.

The main sources of income for the local population are tourism and agriculture. Patagonia actively breeds sheep, whose wool is sold here very dearly. In the last two decades, large entrepreneurs have bought up old sheep breeding farms in Patagonia, and have substantially modernized them. Crop production in the region is practically not developed due to large problems with irrigation of lands. The coastal population of Patagonia also catches fish from the ocean.

Tourism remains an important part of the local economy. And it is more developed in the Chilean Patagonia. Within the Argentine part is the national park "Los Glaciares", inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Tourism in Patagonia not only creates new jobs, but also supports the culture and crafts of indigenous people - Indians.

Conclusion

Patagonia is an unusual and colorful corner of our planet. A harsh and at the same time a very beautiful land. Tourists come here to visit the Fitzroy National Park, see the grandiose glacier Perito Moreno with their own eyes, and swim on the cruise ship, contemplating the beautiful cliffs and deep fjords.