
Although overall Chile is undergoing a period of economic deceleration, which the government is trying to address with lower rates and full execution of public works investments, the Magallanes region in the extreme south of the country was among those with the best performance in the second quarter having expanded a healthy 2.8%.

Hurricane strong winds on Saturday blew roofs, knocked down lamp posts and trees and left big areas of Ushuaia, Argentina and Puntas Arenas, Chile without power according to reports from both cities in the extreme south of the continent.

Unemployment in the extreme south Chilean region of Magallanes was the lowest in the country during the April/June quarter, 2.3%, according to the latest report from the country's stats office, INE. This is 0.5 percentage points less than the previous quarter and 1.4 percentage points below a year ago.

Relationships between medical professionals in Southern Chile and the Falkland Islands have been strengthened following a visit by the Islands’ radiographer to Punta Arenas.

A group of managers representing Punta Arenas port facilities, logistic companies and shipping companies visited the Falkland Islands last week with an ultimate aim to offer solutions to the current and future commercial needs of the Islands.

British yachtsman who was trying to sail by himself non-stop around the world has been rescued by Chile’s navy and is currently in Punta Arenas. The 54-year-old Andrew Halcrow was forced to give up his second attempt to circumnavigate the globe after the mast on his yacht broke in a storm west of Cape Horn.

Magallanes, in the extreme south of Chile plus Aysén and Tarapacá are the regions which registered the best performance in 2013 according to the country's indicator of regional economic activity, Inacer, which is released by the country's Stats Office, INE.

Punta Arenas in the extreme south of Chile is expecting over a hundred international calls this coming 2013/14 cruise season, which could reach over 150 including Puerto Natales and the domestic cruise lines, according to local authorities.

An estimated 58.000 visitors have been confirmed for this coming 2013/14 cruise season at the extreme south Chile cities of Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales, although the overall number is slightly less than the 62.000 of this last season according to Epaustral, the Austral Port Corporation.

Aurora Expeditions are set to shake up the traditional Antarctic cruise itinerary with the launch of an exciting new ‘Antarctic Gateway’ in their 2014/15 Antarctic program. The Chilean port and nature haven of Puerto Williams will be used as an alternative to the usual Argentinian port of Ushuaia, with voyages either starting or ending on the eco-rich Navarino Island along the Chilean banks of the Beagle Channel.