Untamed Patagonia

Rugged and Resilient

Penny Jenner

Straddling the wild southern reaches of Chile and Argentina, Patagonia is a land of extremes. Jagged volcanic peaks, vast icefields, and windswept plains teem with wildlife found nowhere else on earth. Beyond its dramatic wilderness, Patagonia is a cultural stronghold. Despite political upheavals in the 20th century, communities thrive and preserve traditions that have been shaped by the mountains for generations.

Explore what awaits on a journey through Patagonia.

Discover Patagonia's Landscape and Wildlife

On route 7 into the heart of Patagonia

The Carretera Austral, a Chilean highway also known as Route 7, carves its way 1,240 kilometers through Patagonia’s mountain ranges, primeval forests, fjords, volcanoes and icefields. In this DW Documentary, meet a wide variety of people who live along the road, including German emigrants, a marine biologist and one of the last surviving members of military dictator Pinochet’s junta.

The Penguins of Patagonia

In this clip from National Geographic, join conservationist Pablo Borboroglu of the Global Penguin Society as he researches in this South American region. He explains the interdependence of the organisms in this ecosystem, external threats and what biodiversity means to its inhabitants.

Extreme climate research—the icefields of Patagonia

Patagonia's icefields are very difficult to access. As a result, they remain largely unexplored by climate researchers. Now, a scientist and two extreme mountaineers are venturing into this hard-to-reach area, in search of new data for climate research.

Culture to Experience

Gauchos

In this artistic short film, experience the life of South America’s cowboys as they herd cattle through the stunning mountains and valleys of Patagonia. Note: click the "cc" button for English subtitles.

Handmade rugs in Chilean Patagonia

The beautiful artisan rugs produced in Puyuhuapi (Aysén, Patagonia), are part of a rich heritage dating back to the first German settlers to found the town in the 1930's. Today, everything is still done by hand, making each piece unique and special. Designer Verónica Ralph explains the intricate process.

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