Juan Fernández Islands (Spanish: Archipiélago Juan Fernández)
Although not as globally renowned as Easter Island, the Juan Fernández Islands exude a distinct and captivating charm. Accessible via a flight lasting approximately two hours, this archipelago comprises three main parts: Robinson Crusoe, Santa Clara, and Alejandro Selkirk. The name of the first island derives from the maritime misadventures of Alejandro Selkirk, immortalized by Daniel Defoe in his novel "Robinson Crusoe." It is revered as a pristine haven within the biosphere.
Economically modest, the Juan Fernández Islands thrive primarily on fishing and tourism. Given their remote Pacific location, there's no sizeable dedicated airport; thus, visitors typically rely on private aircraft or local fishing boats with irregular schedules to reach destinations like San Juan Bautista. Consequently, the islands host relatively few tourists annually.
Embracing a rich cultural tapestry, the islands boast a bounty of diverse fruits, offering visitors a culinary delight, with luscious pomegranates reigning as a local favorite. Despite the scarcity of restaurants, a handful still cater to travelers, although many were forced to close following a seismic event several years ago. Yet, the allure of Juan Fernández Islands persists, inviting exploration of its abundant natural wonders and immersive cultural experiences.
Map of Juan Fernández Islands
| Name | Juan Fernández Islands (Spanish: Archipiélago Juan Fernández) |
| Country | Chile |
| Province | Valparaíso |
| Coordinates | 33°38′29″S 78°50′28″W |
| Area | 99.6 km2 (38.5 sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−4 (EAST) |
| Population | 900 |
| Language | Spanish |
| Airport | Robinson Crusoe Airport |
| Port | Juan Fernández |
History
The 2008 file from archaeologists at the Australian National University indicates that there may have been no human interest in the Juan Fernández Islands earlier than the appearance of Europeans. Fish biologists Ingo Hahn and Uwe Römer, in a 2002 paper, cited that this geographically isolated archipelago may also have remained untouched by means of people till its discovery through European sailors in 1574, with neither Polynesians nor Native Americans accomplishing these islands.
On November 22, 1574, Spanish sailor Juan Fernández discovered the islands, naming them Más Afuera, Más a Tierra, and Santa Clara. These islands served as hideouts for pirates and locations of exile, and during the early nineteenth-century fur alternate technology, they were a supply of fur seals. In 1908, the Swedish Magellan Expedition visited, with Carl Skottsberg being the closest to see residing sandalwood timber.
In 1966, the Chilean authorities renamed Más Afuera Island to Alejandro Selkirk Island and Más a Tierra Island to Robinson Crusoe Island, aiming to boost tourism. In 2007, constitutional reform granted unique status to the Juan Fernández Islands and Easter Island, managed by the Chilean authorities. These islands play a significant historical role and are taken into consideration as a precious natural background, attracting vacationers and researchers from around the arena.
Climate
The Juan Fernández Islands revel in a Mediterranean-influenced subtropical climate (Cfa), moderated by way of the northward-flowing Humboldt Current and the southeast trade winds toward the jap part of the islands. Temperatures range from 10°C (50°F) to 25°C (77°F), with an annual average of 15.7°C (60°F). Higher elevations are typically more relaxed.
When to Visit
The tourist season inside the Juan Fernández Islands spans from November to April and is characterized by means of cushty temperatures and minimal rainfall. From May to October, it is the rainy season with better precipitation, yet temperatures are hotter, making it more suitable for water sports.
How to Get There
The most handy way to reach the Juan Fernández Islands is by plane. Direct flights are to be had from Santiago, the capital of Chile. Flights are also to be had from other cities in Chile or the capital of Peru, Lima.
Indeed, you can also opt for luxurious cruises from South America and Antarctica that pass by the Juan Fernández Islands.
Things to do
The scenery is breathtaking, the uncommon plants are brilliant, and trekking is exhilarating. The people of this island and the Chilean government have put in an excellent quantity of effort to make this park unforgettable and relatively easy to visit. The Juan Fernández Islands are home to the well-known Robinson Crusoe Island, in addition to Selkirk Island and Santa Clara Island. If you are seeking a far-flung and secluded vacation spot, this is an appropriate choice!
Set against the backdrop of the deep blue Pacific Ocean, the Juan Fernández Islands provide rugged landscapes. 62% of the marine lifestyles located in the Juan Fernández waters cannot be discovered anywhere else on Earth. In terms of the range of endemic plant species, the Juan Fernández Islands rival locations like Madagascar in Africa, the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador, New Caledonia inside the Pacific, and the Hawaiian Islands. Much of the plant life right here dates back over 2 million years. In 1977, UNESCO unique the Juan Fernández Islands as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The clean waters offer divers in Juan Fernández with specific encounters with South American fur seals, 422 species of fish, golden lobsters, crabs, underwater dunes, coral reefs, and pinnacles.
