Cape Horn
Chile
About Cape Horn
Cape Horn National Park encompasses the famous Cape Horn and the surrounding waters and islands. The park marks the southernmost point of South America and is known for its extreme weather conditions. It features dramatic cliffs, subpolar forests, and diverse marine wildlife.
Fauna
The park's wildlife includes diverse marine and terrestrial species adapted to subantarctic conditions. Marine mammals such as southern sea lions, humpback whales, and southern right whales frequent the surrounding waters. The area is also home to significant populations of seabirds, including albatrosses, petrels, and the Magellanic penguin. Terrestrial wildlife includes the guanaco, South American fur seals, and various species of birds like the striated caracara and kelp goose. The rich marine ecosystem supports numerous fish species and marine invertebrates.
Flora
Despite harsh conditions, Cape Horn supports a diverse array of plant life adapted to extreme environments. The vegetation includes about 80 species of vascular plants, dominated by mosses, lichens, and small flowering plants. Notable species include the rare Cape Horn violet (Viola magellanica), cushion plants, and Antarctic hair grass. The park's lower elevations feature subpolar Magellanic forests with southern beech trees (Nothofagus), while the windswept higher areas are characterized by tundra-like vegetation. Many plant species exhibit unique adaptations to withstand the severe winds and cold temperatures.
Geology
The park's geology features dramatic cliffs of dark hornblende and granite, formed during the Mesozoic era when the South American and Antarctic plates collided. The iconic Cape Horn itself is a 425-meter (1,394 ft) high rocky promontory, representing the southernmost tip of the Andes Mountains. The landscape was shaped by glacial activity during the last ice age, resulting in deep fjords, jagged coastlines, and numerous small islands. The underlying rock structure consists primarily of metamorphic formations, including slate and schist, dating back approximately 50 million years.
History
Cape Horn was first rounded in 1616 by Dutch navigators Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire, who named it after Schouten's birthplace, Hoorn, Netherlands. For centuries, it served as a crucial navigation point for global trade routes before the Panama Canal's opening in 1914. The waters around Cape Horn became known as a sailors' graveyard, with over 800 recorded shipwrecks. The area was traditionally inhabited by the Yaghan indigenous people, who navigated these waters in canoes. In 2005, Cape Horn was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and the Chilean government established the national park to protect its unique ecosystem.
Notable Features
The park's most iconic feature is the Cape Horn monument, a steel albatross sculpture commemorating sailors who lost their lives navigating these waters. The Cape Horn Lighthouse, built in 1902, remains staffed by Chilean Navy personnel and includes a small chapel and lighthouse keeper's residence. The Diego Ramírez Islands, lying 100 kilometers southwest, represent Chile's southernmost point. The park also features the 'End of the World Trail,' a wooden boardwalk leading to spectacular viewpoints. The Wollaston Islands, part of the park, offer unique geological formations and are home to diverse wildlife populations.
Climate & Weather
Cape Horn experiences one of Earth's most extreme maritime climates, characterized by strong winds averaging 30 knots (56 km/h), frequent storms, and rapidly changing conditions. Average temperatures remain consistently cool throughout the year, ranging from 5°C (41°F) in summer to 0°C (32°F) in winter. The area receives heavy rainfall, with precipitation occurring on approximately 300 days per year and annual accumulation exceeding 1,400mm. Snow is possible in any season, and the combination of high winds and cold temperatures creates challenging conditions for visitors.