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Ushuaia's History

Ushuaia’s history blends indigenous heritage, missionary settlement, and its role as a remote penal colony.

Long before European arrival, the Yámana (or Yahgan) and Selk’nam (Ona) peoples inhabited the harsh landscapes of Tierra del Fuego. The Yámana were coastal dwellers, skilled in canoe navigation and fishing, while the Selk’nam were nomadic hunters of the inland plains. Their cultures thrived for thousands of years, adapting ingeniously to the cold and rugged environment.

In 1870, Wasti H. Stirling, an English missionary, established the first European settlement in Ushuaia. The Argentine government soon recognised the strategic importance of the region, and in 1884, it founded a naval base to assert sovereignty over the southern territories. Ushuaia was officially declared a city in 1893, following the partition of Tierra del Fuego between Argentina and Chile.

One of the most defining chapters in Ushuaia’s history was its role as a penal colony. From the early 20th century until 1947, the city housed a notorious prison where inmates built much of the town’s infrastructure, including roads and buildings. This legacy is preserved in the Museo Marítimo y del Presidio, offering insight into the city’s rugged past.

Today, Ushuaia stands as a vibrant outpost of exploration, resilience, and cultural fusion at the end of the world.