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The Perito Moreno Glacier is a glacier
situated in Los Glaciares National Park. This
is one of the most important tourist attractions
of the Patagonia.
The Perito Moreno glacier, situated at 78 km from
El Calafate, was named after the explorer Francisco
Moreno, a pioneer who studied the region in the
19th century and played an important role in defending
the territory of Argentina in the conflict surrounding
the international border dispute with Chile.
The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of only three
Patagonian glaciers that are not retreating. The
glacier first ruptured in 1917 and, on average,
it ruptures every four or five years.
One of the most interesting and challenging excursions
is to go walking on the glacier’s surface,
but there are also sailing trips round the glacier.
El Calafate
El Calafate is a little village located in the
southern border of Lake Argentino, in the southwest
of the province of Santa Cruz. The name responds
to a small bush that is very common in Patagonia,
with yellow flowers, with dark blue berries, which
is used in local confectionery, especially for
jams.
El Calafate is an important tourist destination
as is the main access to visit different parts
of the Los Glaciares National Park, including
Perito Moreno Glacier, with blocks of thousand-year-old
ice floating in the lakes, and the Cero Chaltén
and Cerro Torre. It has gained national as well
as international significance since it is there
where all the glacial circuits start: Viedma Glacier,
Upsala Glacier, Onelli Glacier, Spegazzini Glacier,
Mayo Glacier, Frías Glacier, and Perito
Moreno Glacie, "the eighth wonder of the
world" and declared World Natural Heritage
Site by UNESCO.
It is a peaceful and picturesque. In Calafate
steppes, mountains, lakes, woods and glaciers
coexist with rich native flora and fauna.
In the city proper, the main attractions are on
the main avenue, full of charming houses, shops,
restaurants, hostels and handicraft stores, among
others. If you plan to visit the Glaciers, visiting
this small village and its natural attractions
is a must.
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