the last frontiers, Patagonia, Chile

At the southernmost end of the Americas lies wild Patagonia, a still unexplored land of legendary natural beauty. Vast expanses of open space stretch out in all directions. A curious geological past has shaped this varied and dynamic landscape. Bordering the fjords of the Pacific coast, the world's largest extrapolar icefields contain some of the region's most impressive peaks, while to the east, the windswept steppes stretch out to the Atlantic coast. Glacier-fed rivers, full of some of the world's purest water, tumble between jagged, never-climbed mountains. Herds of long-necked guanacos gallop across expansive grasslands as Andean condors, one of Earth's most massive birds, soar overhead. Patagonia is a land at the south of Chile, and the south of Argentina, with most of the astounding views for the Pacific ocean side. A comprehensive list of Chile's national parks can be found here.

With its glacier-carved peaks and fjords, southern Chile remains one of the wildest places on Earth. But that could soon change. Once the haunt of a few stalwart climbers, Chile's Torres del Paine National Park now draws more than 100,000 visitors a year.

All photographs are by Maria Stenzel, a contributor to National Geographic for more than 16 years. See the featured work in NG here.

Las Guaitecas National Reserve

Twilight descends serenely over Canal Messier, one of the major routes through the fjords. Patagonia's weather can be wild, but the fjords are sheltered waters, their great depth helping to keep them calm.

Bernardo O'Higgins National Park

Lautaro, an active volcano (background), broods over the tortured surface of Pío XI Glacier. Chile's sprawling ice fields are among the world's largest outside the polar regions.

Very dreamy images from Patagonia, have been captured by photographer Bruce Percy, who's brief presentation of works was featured in a previous article. See it here.