CHILE PATAGONIA

Patagonia is a geographic region containing the southernmost portion of South America. Located in Argentina and Chile, it comprises the southernmost portion of the Andes mountains to the west and south, and plateaux and low plains to the east. It excludes those portions of Antarctica claimed by both countries. East of the Andes, it lies south of the Colorado River. Westwards, it includes the territories south of 39º except for the Chiloé Archipelago. The name Patagonia comes from the word patagón used by Magellan to describe the native people whom his expedition thought to be giants. It is now believed the Patagons were actually Tehuelches with an average height of 1.80 m (~5′11″) compared to the 1.55 m (~5′1″) average for Spaniards of the time. The Chilean Patagonia embraces the southern part of the region of Los Lagos, and the regions of Aisén and Magallanes.