General description

Cape Horn was discovered in 1616, by the Dutch Expedition to Tierra del Fuego. Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire named it after the city of Hoorn in the Netherlands.

The southernmost tip of South America, Cape Horn is the most southerly of the great capes, and marks the northern boundary of the Drake Passage. For many years it was a major milestone on the clipper route, by which sailing ships carried trade around the world. However, the waters around the cape are particularly challenging, owing to strong winds, large waves, and strong currents. Consequently, sailing around the Horn is widely regarded as one of the major challenges in yachting.

Weather conditions in Tierra del Fuego allow navigation all year round. There is very little difference between summer and winter temperatures due to its proximity to the sea. Winter temperatures vary between -5° to + 5°C with short but sunny and calm days. Summer days are warmer and longer (up to 20 day light hours in December). The average temperature is about 14°C, but the weather can be windy and unstable. Spring is a more stable season where days begin to get longer and autumn is remarkable with the outstanding colors of the forest.