Águila Islet facts for kids
|
Native name:
Islote Águila
|
|
|---|---|
Águila Islet on Diego Ramírez Islands (last on the bottom)
|
|
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 56°32′15″S 68°43′10″W / 56.53750°S 68.71944°W |
| Archipelago | Diego Ramírez Islands |
| Adjacent bodies of water | Pacific ocean |
| Administration | |
| Region | Magallanes |
| Province | Antartica Chilena |
| Commune | Cabo de Hornos |
| Additional information | |
| NGA UFI=not listed | |
Águila Islet (which means "Eagle Islet" in Spanish) is a very small island. It holds a special record: it's the southernmost point of the entire American continent. This tiny piece of land is part of a larger group of islands called the Diego Ramírez Islands.
You can find Águila Islet about 100 km (62 mi) southwest of Cape Horn. Cape Horn is a famous landmark at the very tip of South America. Águila Islet sits in the Drake Passage, a body of water that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
From Águila Islet, the closest land in Antarctica is Greenwich Island. That's about 800 km (497 mi) away. The main part of Antarctica, the Antarctic Peninsula, is a bit further, around 950 km (590 mi) from the islet.
Contents
What is Águila Islet?
Águila Islet is a very small island, often called an "islet" because of its size. It's not big enough for people to live on. It's mostly made of rock and is exposed to the strong winds and rough seas of the far south.
Where is Águila Islet located?
This islet is in the Pacific Ocean, very far south. It belongs to Chile, a country in South America. Specifically, it's part of the Magallanes Region and the Antártica Chilena Province. This area is known for its wild and remote nature.
Part of the Diego Ramírez Islands
Águila Islet is one of the many small islands that make up the Diego Ramírez Islands. This group of islands is the southernmost landmass of Chile. They are important for wildlife, especially seabirds. The islands are often covered in thick fog and experience very cold weather.
Why is Águila Islet important?
Águila Islet is important because it marks the true southern end of the American continent. While many people think Cape Horn is the southernmost point, Águila Islet is actually a little bit further south. This makes it a key geographical landmark.
Extreme Points of the World
Knowing the extreme points of continents helps us understand geography better. Águila Islet is one of these "extreme points." It shows just how far south the land stretches before you reach the icy waters of the Antarctic.
See also
In Spanish: Islote Águila para niños
- Extreme points of the Antarctic
- List of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic islands
- List of extreme points of Chile
