PATAGONIA
"PATAGONIA" is located in the southernmost corner of the South American continent, below 40 degrees south latitude. The race that began in eastern Africa scattered around the world and spread, and 10,000 years ago it had reached this part of the world.
The Chilean side of Patagonia, west of the Andes, receives abundant rainfall. Moisture-laden westerly winds sometimes blow in a raging storm, so this land is also called the "stormy land". In the fjords, with their thickly moss-laden forests, glaciers calve into the sea with a thundering roar.
The continental icecap, in the middle of Patagonia, is the largest alpine ice and snow field in the world. There is heavy snowfall; the snow melts and then refreezes to form glaciers which flow into the sea to the east and west and into lakes.
The Argentine side of Patagonia, east of the Andes, is an arid plain receiving only 150mm of rainfall anually. In the latter half of the 19th century, it was recognized that this region is suitable for raising sheep, and Europeans encroached on the land, starting a history of massacre of the native inhabitants.
We made our way through the ice sheets of southern Patagonia and ended up in the ocean. We went north on our kayak, passing the many islands of the fjord, and finally arrived at Puerto Yungay, the final destination of the Carretera Austral (the southern highway). Here, we switched over to a fishing boat and stopped by the village belonging to the Kawaskal tribe, an aborigine that we had visited before in the past. It is supposedly a fishing village, but many had left the village to find work elsewhere. There were not many people in the village, which was left in desolation.
Most of those living along the Austral roads are people from the northern regions who have come to seek a new life, seeking land and jobs. In Patagonia, which is sparsely populated, there is abundant land and many jobs. As time went on, many came and made this region their home. They had many children, often 10 or more per household. Yet, crime rate is low. In this environment where nature can be harsh and relentless, Patagonia is possibly safer than any region in the world.
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