Ushuaia
is the state capital of "Tierra del fuego" the southernmost part of
Argentina and also of South America. On Nov 1, 1520 Ferdinand Magellan discovered the
strait which bears his name (i.e. the Strait of Magellan) and also identified the Tierra
del Fuego (Land of Fire). He named it Tierra de los Fuegos (the Land of Fires) because of
the numerous fires lit by local "Yamanes" (Native American) populations seen
smoking in the distance. Ushuaia was founded in September, 1884.
Ushuaia got its name from two Yamanes words: USHU
meaning "at the back" and WUAIA that means "bay, cove or port".
One of the first inhabitants was the British Missionary, Rev. Thomas Bridges who explained
the meaning of Ushuaia to be "Bay penetrating to the back". It is situated
between the edge of the Beagle Channel and the Martial mountain range and faces south.
A truly picturesque small city, with a
mixture of architectural styles that reflect the contrasts of very old wooden houses with
metal-plate fixtures and sharply slanted roofs for the snowy winters here along side
modern looking buildings used mainly as hotels. On the main street, San Martín, parallel
to the coast of the channel, visitors will find elegant stores offering imported goods,
but the major attraction is the breathtaking scenery.
Ushuaia was at start famous for the Presidio
which was known as "the jail at the end of the world". It is located in
"Bahia Golondrina" and is no longer in use as a detention center. It is used as
a very interesting museum. From 1902 to 1947 this prison gave residence to some of the
most ferocious outlaws in South America.
