Tierra del Fuego

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Island group separated from the southern extremity of South America by the Strait of Magellan; Cape Horn is at the southernmost point. The islands are all mountainous and cool, with a mean annual temperature of 6°C/43°F. There are oil, natural gas, and sheep farming industries. Tourism is also important. The largest island is Tierra del Fuego, or Isla Grande, with an area of 48,100 sq km/18,571 sq mi; half of this island, and the islands west of it, belong to Chile, and form part of the Magallanes region, the capital and chief town of which is Punta Arenas. The eastern part of the archipelago belongs to Argentina, forming the federal district of Tierra del Fuego; its capital, Ushuaia, is the world's most southerly town.

Tierra del Fuego was discovered by Ferdinand Magellan in 1520; its name in Spanish means Land of Fire. To the south of the main island is Beagle Channel (named after the ship of the scientist Charles Darwin's voyage), with three islands at the eastern end, finally awarded in 1985 to Chile rather than Argentina.

Modelled on the French tricolour, the vertical stripes represent liberty and revolution. The almost square proportions of the flag are unusual. Effective date: 23 January 1831. >>