Pre-Columbian Era
Indigenous Inhabitants: Patagonia was originally inhabited by several indigenous groups, including the Mapuche, Tehuelche, and Selk'nam (Ona). These groups had rich cultural traditions and adapted to the diverse and often harsh environments of the region.
Archaeological Evidence: Sites like Cueva de las Manos, with its ancient hand paintings, provide evidence of human presence dating back thousands of years.
European Exploration and Colonization
Ferdinand Magellan: The Portuguese explorer, sailing for Spain, was the first European to navigate the strait that now bears his name, the Strait of Magellan, in 1520.
Sir Francis Drake: The English privateer navigated the southern tip of South America via the Drake Passage in the late 16th century.
Early Settlements: European settlements began to establish in the 19th century, primarily driven by explorers, missionaries, and later settlers looking for new land.
Modern Era
Territorial Disputes: During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Argentina and Chile had several disputes over the boundaries of Patagonia, which were eventually resolved through treaties and arbitration.
Economic Development: The region's economy historically relied on sheep farming, but tourism, oil extraction, and natural gas production have become significant economic drivers.
Geography of Patagonia
Patagonia is renowned for its dramatic and diverse landscapes, which include:

The Andes Mountains
Western Patagonia: Characterized by the southern Andes, this area includes:
Glaciers: Such as Perito Moreno Glacier.
Lakes: Including Lake Argentino and Lake Nahuel Huapi.
Fjords and Temperate Rainforests: Found in the coastal areas of Chilean Patagonia.
Eastern Patagonia
Steppes and Deserts: The Patagonian steppe is a vast, arid plateau that stretches across much of the region. It's known for its dry, windy conditions and sparse vegetation.
Tablelands: Elevated, flat areas that are a significant feature of the Patagonian landscape.
Coastal Regions
Pacific Coast: Features dramatic fjords and is less populated due to its rugged terrain and challenging climate.
Atlantic Coast: Home to significant wildlife reserves, including Península Valdés, known for its marine life like whales, seals, and penguins.
Southern Patagonia
Tierra del Fuego: An archipelago at the southern tip of South America, divided between Argentina and Chile, known for its rugged landscapes and Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world.
Strait of Magellan: A natural passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Beagle Channel: Another significant navigational route.
Drake Passage: The body of water between South America's southern tip and Antarctica, known for its rough seas.
Climate
Varied Climates: Ranges from the humid, temperate climates of the western fjords and rainforests to the arid, windy steppes of the east.
Glacial Influence: The presence of numerous glaciers influences the climate, particularly in the southern Andes.
Flora and Fauna
Unique Ecosystems: Includes diverse species such as guanacos, rheas, Andean condors, and a variety of marine life.
Protected Areas: National parks like Torres del Paine in Chile and Los Glaciares in Argentina protect vast tracts of wilderness and are popular destinations for ecotourism.
Human Geography
Population Centers: Major cities include Bariloche, Comodoro Rivadavia, and Río Gallegos in Argentina, and Punta Arenas in Chile.
Economic Activities: Sheep farming, oil and gas extraction, fishing, and increasingly, tourism, particularly ecotourism and adventure tourism.
Patagonia's history and geography combine to create a region of stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and significant economic importance. Its vast, unspoiled landscapes continue to draw adventurers, nature lovers, and those interested in its unique cultural and historical background.

Matt Williams - Mars Could Have Been Wet for Much Longer Than Previously Believed:

https://www.universetoday.com/154383/mars-could-have-been-wet-for-much-longer-than-previously-believed/#more-154383

#Mars #Water #WaterOnMars #Rain #SellersExoplanetEnvironmentsCollaboration #SEEC #NoachianPeriod #HesperianPeriod #KaseiValles #LifeOnMars #Habitability #Glaciers #Ocean #ROCKE3D #GlobalClimateModel #GCM #Climate #PlanetaryScience #Astronomy

Clint Eastwood, [2/4/2022 4:09 PM]
Glacier National Park had signs up warning that the glaciers would be gone by 2020. Ya know, climate change. They’re gone now… the signs. Not the glaciers.

National Park Removes “Glaciers Will Be Gone by 2020” Signs

https://www.infowars.com/posts/national-park-removes-glaciers-will-be-gone-by-2020-signs/

Man made Climate Change or Solar/Galactic made Climate Change?

#SolarCycles , #Carbon -14 , #Oxygen -18 , #Glaciers , #BrayCycle , #HallstattCycle , #SolarProductionOfCO2 , #ClimateChange

https://wattsupwiththat.com/2016/11/24/the-bray-hallstatt-cycle/

OCEAN WONDERS
Bible Study / Daily Devotional
Daily Devotions
Average reading time is about 5 and a half minutes
AN AMAZING FACT: In many ways the ocean represents the last frontier on Earth. Seventy-five percent of the world's surface and ninety-seven percent of the water on the planet is found in the oceans. Less than one percent of the world's water is fresh, and most of that is contained in glaciers and ice caps.

The average depth of the oceans is about 2.5 miles, the deepest point being in the Mariana Trench, 6.8 miles down. By way of comparison, Mount Everest is only 5.5 miles high. The pressure at the deepest part of the ocean is over eight tons per square inch.

Earth’s longest mountain range is the mid-ocean ridge system, which stretches over 40,000 miles around the globe, winding from the Arctic Ocean to the Atlantic, skirting Africa, Asia, and Australia, and crossing the Pacific to the west coast of North America. It is four times longer than the Andes, Rockies, and Himalayas combined.

Ninety percent of all volcanic activity occurs in the oceans. In 1993, scientists located the largest known concentration of active volcanoes on the sea floor in the South Pacific. This area, the size of New York State, hosts 1,133 volcanic cones and sea mounts. Two or three could erupt at any moment.

The highest tides in the world are at the Bay of Fundy, which separates New Brunswick from Nova Scotia. At some times of the year, the difference between high and low tide is 53 feet 6 inches, the equivalent of a three-story building.

The sea is also brimming with amazing life. Even though fishermen harvest over four million tons each year from bays and oceans, biologists estimate that approximately 2,500,000 marine species have yet to be discovered and described.

The Bible tells us there is another world soon to be discovered by those who love God that far exceeds anything we can imagine. “Nevertheless we … look for the new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). The same God who formed our marvelous ocean and its spectacular inhabitants will give to His children the beautiful earth made new!
KEY BIBLE TEXTS
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10