Puerto Williams

Puerto Williams (Port Williams) is a Chilean port, located on Isla Navarino facing the Beagle Channel. It is the capital of the Chilean Antarctic Province, one of four provinces located in the Magellan and Chilean Antartica Region. It has a population of a little over 2,000, including both naval personnel and civilians, and many of the houses in Puerto Williams belong to the Chilean Navy. Puerto Williams is the southernmost city in the World, a title that is disputed for commercial interests by Ushuaia a larger Argentine settlement, located on the opposite, northern side of the Beagle Channel.

The settlement was named after John Williams Wilson who founded Fuerte Bulnes the first Chilean settlement in the Strait of Magellan. Puerto Luisa was its original name. Since its foundation in 1953 the settlement has served primarily as a naval base. But recently navy personnel living in Puerto Williams have decreased while civil population has increased. In recent years tourism has contributed to an increase in economic activity at Puerto Williams. Universidad de Magallanes has a university centre in Puerto Williams.