the capital city and chief port of Argentina, in the eastern central part of the country, on the Plata River; population 3,042,600 (est. 2008).

Montevideo is the capital and largest city of Uruguay. According to the 2011 census, the city proper has a population of 1,319,108 (about one-third of the country's total population) in an area of 201 square kilometres (78 sq mi). The southernmost capital city in the Americas, Montevideo is situated on the southern coast of the country, on the northeastern bank of the Río de la Plata.

The city was established in 1724 by a Spanish soldier, Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst the Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region. It was also under brief British rule in 1807. Montevideo is the seat of the administrative headquarters of Mercosur and ALADI, Latin America’s leading trade blocs, a position that entailed comparisons to the role of Brussels in Europe.

Nestled on the shores of the Golfo Nuevo, Puerto Madryn invites travelers to witness some of the most unforgettable wildlife encounters in South America. Renowned as the gateway to the Valdés Peninsula—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—this coastal town offers the chance to spot Southern Right Whales from the beach, a truly unique spectacle that few places on Earth can match.

Beyond its marine wonders, Puerto Madryn boasts charming streets lined with artisan shops, cafes, and welcoming locals eager to share the region’s Patagonian traditions. With opportunities for snorkeling with sea lions, exploring rugged landscapes, and enjoying fresh seafood, it’s no wonder this destination continues to captivate nature lovers and adventurers alike.

Cape Horn is the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile, and is located on the small Hornos Island. Although not the most southerly point of South America (which are the Diego Ramírez Islands), Cape Horn marks the northern boundary of the Drake Passage and marks where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet.

Cape Horn was discovered and first rounded in 1616 by the Dutchman Willem Schouten, who named it  Kaap Hoorn after the city of Hoorn in the Netherlands. For decades, Cape Horn was a major milestone on the clipper route, by which sailing ships carried trade around the world. The waters around Cape Horn are particularly hazardous, owing to strong winds, large waves, strong currents and icebergs; these dangers have made it notorious as a sailors' graveyard.

The need for boats and ships to round Cape Horn was greatly reduced by the opening of the Panama Canal in August 1914. However, sailing around the Cape Horn is still widely regarded as one of the major challenges in yachting. Thus a few recreational sailors continue to sail this route, sometimes as part of a circumnavigation of the globe. Almost all of these choose routes through the channels to the north of the Cape. (Many take a detour through the islands and anchor to wait for fair weather to visit Horn Island, or sail around it to replicate a rounding of this historic point.) Several prominent ocean yacht races, notably the Volvo Ocean Race, the VELUX 5 Oceans, and the Vendée Globe, sail around the world via the Horn. Speed records for round-the-world sailing are recognized for following this route.

Ushuaia is the capital of Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur Province, Argentina. It is commonly regarded as the southernmost city in the world. Ushuaia is located in a wide bay on the southern coast of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, bounded on the north by the Martial mountain range, and on the south by the Beagle Channel. It is the only municipality in the Department of Ushuaia, which has an area of 9,390 km2 (3,625 sq mi). It was founded October 12 of 1884 by Augusto Lasserreand is located on the shores of the Beagle Channel surrounded by the mountain range of the Martial Glacier, in the Bay of Ushuaia. Besides being an administrative center, it is a light industrial port and tourist hub.

The Strait of Magellan, located in southern Chile, is one of the most famous and scenic sea routes in the world. This strait separates the South American mainland from the Tierra del Fuego archipelago and connects the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It was discovered in 1520 by Ferdinand Magellan and became the first European maritime passage between the two oceans, long before the Panama Canal was created. Today, it retains strategic and historical significance, remaining a key symbol of seafaring and humanity’s thirst for exploration.

Tourists visiting southern Patagonia often explore the Strait of Magellan during cruises or excursions from Punta Arenas — one of the southernmost cities in the world. The strait’s shores impress with their raw natural beauty: snow-capped peaks, windy steppes, and secluded bays create a unique atmosphere. Visitors can spot dolphins, whales, and penguins, and learn about the heritage of indigenous peoples and the region’s colonial past. A journey through the Strait of Magellan offers a rare connection with untouched nature and the grandeur of the end of the world.