Between the months of November and March cruises
and expeditionary vessels depart from Ushuaia with the destination
Antarctica, some also include in their itinerary the Islas Malvinas.
In the past years, the islands have caught the interest of hundreds
of tourists that reach the Island to enjoy an environment free
of pollution and with different alternatives that allow the feeling
of being in contact with nature.
Occupied by England since 1883, Argentina claim the islands as
its own and include them in the province of Tierra del Fuego,
Antarctica and Islands of the South Atlantic. They are located
in the sector of the Mar Argentino, between parallels 50º
58´ and 52º 56` latitude south and meridians 57º
42´ and 61º 26´ longitude west.
The Malvinas archipelago consists of two major islands : Gran
Malvina and Soledad and more than 200 islets of less extension.
The total area is 11718 Km2, equivalent to a little more than
half of the Toucan province.
The topography of the islands is similar to the extra-Andean
Patagonia. An old underlayer determines its topographical features:
smooth undulations, with some emerging hills. In Gran Malvina
the higher altitudes are Monte Independencia (700 Mts.) And Monte
María (658 mts.).
The great number of bays and coves, with numerous natural harbors,
are determined by the irregular coasts of the archipelago, resulting
in the immersions of the old fluvial valleys, and an endless number
of channels and straits establish the separation between the islands.
Grasslands cover most of the Malvinas ground only interrupted
by some bushes in the coastal areas or in swamps. A fifth part
of the soil consists of peat bog, lichen in the rocky regions
and a rich variety of algae in its submarine platform constitute
the natural flora of the islands.
The fauna in the Malvinas Islands consists of a great variety
of marine species. Birds and amphibians form true colonies along
the coasts and rocks. Most of them come from the Antarctic continent
and, although they use the islands as a stop over in their temporary
migrations, cannot be considered native, as is the case of sea
wolves and lions, seals, sea leopards and a great quantity of
penguins, cormorants, partridges, duck and geese, among others.
The maritime mass regulates the temperature, and great oscillations
register during the year: the winter average temperature is 2.5º
C, while in the warmer season does not reach 10º C. A typical
feature of the climate is the frequency of strong southern, western
and southeastern winds that sometimes reach 130 Km/hour. The islands
have an oceanic cold climate.
As a testimony of and old hydrographic network, accumulation
of loose material in numerous places has been dragged by the deicing
water during the last glaciations.
This whole environment, is specially attractive for those wishing
to live a fantastic adventure.