Ushuaia

　　    Tierra del Fuego, facing Antarctica across the sea, is the southernmost landmass in the world apart from Antarctica. Its capital, Ushuaia, is the southernmost city on Earth.

　　    Ushuaia is located on the southern coast of Tierra del Fuego, backed by the Andes Mountains and facing the Beagle Channel, which connects the two great oceans. It lies at a latitude of 54°49’, making it the southernmost city in the world. In the indigenous Yámana language, the name Ushuaia means “bay that penetrates westward” or “beautiful bay.” The Beagle Channel forms a large bay here. The city is just 1,000 kilometers from the Antarctic Peninsula and serves as an essential supply base for Antarctic scientists. Research vessels from various countries, including China, have docked here.

　　    Nestled between mountains and water, Ushuaia features lush green slopes set against majestic, snow-capped peaks. Buildings of various colors are situated amid the shimmering waters of the Beagle Channel and the backdrop of green hills and white snow, with snow-covered mountains from neighboring Chile visible across the channel—creating a breathtaking scene. This picturesque landscape attracts a multitude of visitors, breathing vitality into this once desolate land.

　　    The city of Ushuaia is built along the shores of the Beagle Channel. The waterfront is lined with the wide Maipú Avenue, where both modern buildings and simple houses with galvanized iron roofs stand alongside wooden houses from decades ago, mostly one or two stories high, giving off a simple and tranquil vibe. The main street in the urban area is Avenida San Martín. This commercial street features shops whose luxury rivals that of a major metropolis. The main goods sold here are imported cosmetics, premium liquor and tobacco—all duty-free and significantly cheaper than inland prices. In the past, many Argentinians traveled to Tierra del Fuego mainly to shop.

　　    For food lovers, a visit to Ushuaia wouldn’t be complete without trying the local specialty, centolla (spider crab). Its delicious and nutritious meat is an important export product of the region.

　　     Buenos Aires, Argentina