Introducing Patagonia: An Approach from Geo-History

Abstract

The uniqueness of Patagonia stems not only from its remote location on the world map but from several other geographic factors briefly discussed on this chapter, starting from some climatic features and sharp contrasts not found anywhere else. The last glaciation caused drainage deviations that complicated international boundary delimitation, which, in turn, hastened expansionism based on sheep farming of not always suitable lands. Widespread desertification is the major ecological consequence of this unwise process, developed at the expense of Native Patagonian peoples, some of whom have completely disappeared. From a terrestrial point of view, Patagonia is a geographic cul-de-sac, so aboriginal cultures were materially rudimentary; on the other hand, to seafarers Patagonia was on the inter-oceanic route and was a dangerous coast to be left behind as soon as possible. The unavoidable contact was dramatically contrasting and not always peaceful. With very low demographic density, and despite isolated cases of ecological mismanagement, the region still keeps an aura of pristine nature, enhanced by distance and legend. This chapter may seem incongruent in this volume, but it aims to place the readers in the wider scope of Patagonian geo-history, the human environment in which the research presented here was carried out.