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The first Landers
The first landers called paleoindians came from the north more than 10,000 years ago originated from several tribes, it is said. They were very different to the indians found by the Eurpoeans by 1520. There are different theorys about the migrations that shaped those groups. As an example, the canoeros whose presence recall 6.000 years ago, are suposed to have adapted themselves to the marine life and populate the continent and Tierra del Fuego, but it still is a conjecture. The other theory is that they came navigating by the channels.
Aonikenk, Selknam, Haush and Yamanas, they are almost extinct. Yámanas, and Selknam (also known as Onas) lived in Tierra del Fuego in the southern part of South America. The continent was populated by Pehuenches, Mapuches and Tehuelches. Rests of the primitive life are still found in caverns where stone paintings, arrow heads and can be seen.
The name Patagonia
The origin of the name has been controversy matter. Although until the present the majority of the historians they have accepted its association with the physical characteristic of the great size of the feet of the natives - derived from the tracks that worn left in the snow -, there are founded reasons to think that Fernando de Magallanes was inspired by the Patagón giant, personage of the Primaleón novel, work published in 1512 and that had enjoyed great popularity in the Spain of that time. When he saw the way the natives were dressed in skins and costumary Barbarians, populating a territory with singular characteristics, Magallanes did not need a concerted effort of imagination to associate them with the personage Patagón...
Today, the whole region is called Patagonia, both Argentina and Chile, being one of the least populated regions in the world. Some places have a population density 1 per square kilometer. First Navigators
Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan was the first European to reach Patagonia, stopping by Patagonia in 1520 during his journey around the world. He named the aborigins 'Patagones'. Drake crosses the Strait in 1578 and pushed by the wind he discover that the american continent ended and was separated from the south pole. It moved Dutch adventurers following Magellan's trail who in 1616, one of them put the name Cape Horn to the southermost place in honor to his hometown, Hoorn.
In 1850, a Welsh expedition traveled to Patagonia and were amazed by the vast natural wealth of the scenery, incredibly beautiful sights before their eyes and acres and acres of virgin ground. It is said that many of the names that navigator gave to places were according the troubles and trepidations suffered: Island of Desolation, Anxious Point, Port Famine among others. Also, the names given to animals like Penguins, "Pen-gywns," that according to legends, were the resurrected souls of drowned sailors.
The Heritage
Patagonia has been the scenery of man´s struggles to tame wilderness. Many artists have written about it. This is land of hard men, where livestock farming and fishing have been the main activities for years. Today, all that history and the beauty and wonderness of this land is available to you.
Just imagine being in the top of a mountain visualizing the most incredible view you´ve ever seen just like the first navigators and settlers.
Beautiful colors and shapes in every sunrise and sunset. Breeze that runs softly by inmense and lonely fields. A land of legends, secrets and beauty that is imposible to tell in words... |
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