Page 236 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

234  ARGENTINA REGION B Y REGION

reefs, coves, cliffs, and caverns,
is its biggest attraction. The park
provides refuge to marine fauna
that includes sea lion and
penguin colo nies, pods of
the graceful black and white
Commerson’s dolphin, and over
130 species of birds. The park’s
coast is also a station for
cetaceans such as the Austral
Frank whale. Highlights within
Commerson’s dolphins can be spotted easily in the bay of San Julián the park include Monte León
Island, a marine bird nesting
e Puerto San Julián along the San Julián bay site, and La Olla, a natural rock
offering spectacular views. formation con sisting of a
Road map B5. 238 miles (383 km) S
of Puerto Deseado. * 12,000. @ circular cavity supported by a
n Ave San Martín, between E Muestra Arqueológica Florida 98-ft (30-m) high natural arch.
Rivadavia & Moreno, (02962) 454-396. Blanca A short way inside the park
∑ sanjulian.gov.ar Ave Costanera 900. Tel (02962) 414- entrance, Hosteria Monte León,
396. Open varies. Closed mid-Mar– part of the estancia of the same
Claiming to be the birthplace mid-Dec: Sat & Sun. name, offers upscale lodging.
of Patagonia, Puerto San Julían
was the site of the first European r Parque Nacional Hosteria Monte León
settlement in Argentina, Monte León Ruta Nacional 3, Km 2399. Tel (011)
founded by Portuguese explorer 4621-4780. ∑ monteleon-
Ferdinand Magellan in 1520. Road map B6. 28 miles (45 km) SE of patagonia.com
Francis Drake soon followed Puerto Santa Cruz. @ to Luis Piedra
suit, dropping anchor in Buena, then taxi. n 9 de Julio and
Belgrano, Puerto Santa Cruz, (02962)
its shingle-banked bay in 498-184. Open Nov–Apr: daily. ® t Río Gallegos
1578. Despite numerous  ∑ pnmonteleon.com.ar Road map B6. 215 miles (347 km) S of
attempts at colonization, a Puerto San Julián. * 86,000. k @
permanent settlement was Apart from being the n Ave Beccar 126, (02966) 436-920.
not estab lished until the newest national park in ∑ turismo.riogallegos.gov.ar
early 1880s, with the arrival Argentina, this is also the
of British sheep farmers only one situated along An important port city, Río
from the Falkland Cormorants on Monte the country’s Atlantic Gallegos is also the capital of
Islands (Islas Malvinas). León cliffs coast. Parque Santa Cruz province. The first
City highlights Nacional Monte León people to settle here were
include Museo Rosa Novak, was created in 2004 to protect British sheep farmers from the
which has dis plays on early 25 miles (40 km) of coastline Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
sheep-farming pioneers, and and 183 sq miles (474 sq km) of in the 1880s.
Monumento Primera Misa, Patagonian steppe. Its virgin In 1885, Río Gallegos became
where the country’s first mass coastline, dotted with islands, the port from which local
was held the day after wool produce was exported.
Magellan’s land fall. Located Nicknamed “white gold,” wool
nearby, Muestra Arqueológica sustained the local economy
Florida Blanca has exhibits on until the 20th century, when
the region’s indigenous cultures. the ship ping of coal from Río
However, the star attractions are Turbio (see p251) brought
the lively pods of Commerson’s about new prosperity. Today,
dolphins in San Julián’s bay. Also it is this “black gold” and gas
in the bay are Isla Cormorán that provide Río Gallegos with
and Isla Justicia, whose shores most of its income.
are home to large col onies of Much of the city’s architecture
Magellanic penguins. dates from the 1930s, especially
along its main street, Avenida
Environs San Martín. However, some
Unspoiled beaches and some out standing examples of
historical sites dot the beauti ful pioneer-era construction can
coastal Avenida Hernán de still be seen. Built by Salesian
Magallanes, which stretches missionaries in 1899, the
north from San Julián. The corrugated-tin and wood
stretch is a 34-mile (55-km) structure of Catedral Nuestra
drive on the coastal circuit La Olla in Parque Nacional Monte León Señora de Luján is character istic
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp282–3 and pp296–8

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Date 12th July 2013
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