Magallanes

Magallanes is the Spanish name for Magellan and may refer to several subjects named after the 16th‑century explorer Ferdinand Magellan. Ferdinand Magellan (c. 1480–1521) was a Portuguese navigator who organized the Spanish expedition that achieved the first circumnavigation of the Earth. Although he died during the voyage in the Philippines, the expedition continued under Juan Sebastián Elcano and demonstrated the global scale of navigation and the interconnectedness of the oceans.

In Chile, Magallanes commonly denotes the Region de Magallanes y de la Antártica Chilena, the southernmost administrative region of the country. It comprises two provinces, Magallanes and Antártica Chilena, with Punta Arenas as its capital. The region covers Patagonia’s southern landscapes, including Tierra del Fuego, the Beagle Channel area, and Torres del Paine National Park. Its climate is subpolar, characterized by strong winds and cold winters, and its economy centers on livestock farming, fishing, tourism, and energy activities.

Outside Chile, the name Magallanes is used for various streets, schools, and institutions throughout the Spanish-speaking world, all in honor of Magellan. The term thus functions as a toponym and memorial name in multiple countries, reflecting the historical impact of the explorer.