Patagonia, a large region in southern South America, is called "The Great South America". It is located at the border of Argentina, Chile and Peru. The region is known for its glaciers, fjords, and temperate rainforests. The land is surrounded with oceans such as the Atlantic, Pacific, or Beagle Channel. A large area of the region is under the authority of both countries.
Patagonia, the name of the region, derives its name form a Patagonian tribal tribe. Rodrigo de Isla (the first European to visit the Patagonian area) was the first one. The Spanish crown had de jure jurisdiction over the region but was not keen on colonizing it. There were numerous indigenous communities that lived in the region before the 1715 boundary treaty. These were the Tehuelches (and the Mecharnuekenk). Some indigenous groups survived the European invasion while others died. In the 18th Century, there were several settlements along the coast.
There are two main regions in the province. 90% of the territory is in Argentina Patagonia, also known as Patagonia Del Sur. The remaining 10% is shared by Chile. They have different climates. The Argentine side is more desert-like with its grasslands, while Chile's side has more temperate areas called Los Lagos. The Andes Mountains divide the regions.
The highest mountain in the world, Cerro Chalten (also known as Monte Fitz Roy), is located in Patagonia. Many tourists visit the area annually, making it an attractive destination for those who love to ski, climb, or simply enjoy nature. The Magallanes glacier and San Francisco volcano are two other notable landmarks. Winter visitors should be aware that heavy snowfall can occur in the region, which is why it has been called the Patagonian anomaly.
The Patagonia area is also a source of natural splendor, with the best examples being the Andes mountains, the glaciers and fjords of the area, and the numerous lakes. There have been numerous environmental activism campaigns in the past to protect the region. These range from green tourism in the 1990s to current day. It is a testament to this that the region has been a front runner in the fabled Living Wage movement.
Patagonia's most popular products are not the only ones that are well-known. It is also one of the most forward-thinking brands in the sport & outdoor clothing sector. The company actively participates in the 1% for Planet initiative and is a member to the Sustainable Apparel Coalition. Its most recent innovation was the introduction of Worn Wear, which allows customers to take a closer look at its wares.