P unta Arenas, the capital of the Magallanes region, sits alongside the Straits of Magellan at southern latitude of approximately 54º south. The city of Punta Arenas, founded in the mid-1800s, grew into a center for commerce, culture and society that spread its influence over the entire region. It was named after the translation of the English term "Sandy Point", given to this place by John Byron, who explored the area on 17th century.

From Punta Arenas it is possible to do excursions to the main tourist attractions of the Region. Resources are mostly natural beauties that may be visited by land, sea and air. The tourist has an extensive range of possibilities, with tours scheduled by local travel agencies, but one also has the opportunity to organize travels according to interest.

From Punta Arenas it is possible to travel around Seno Otway (km. 70 north), a place with tourist and scientific appeal where is located the Penguin Colony, with about 6,000 specimens of Magellan species, such as Aptenodytes Forsteri, Spheniscus Magellanicus, Pygoscelis Adeliae, Aptenodytes Patagonicus.