Tierra del Fuego

te-er'ra del fua'go, an archipelago at the southern end of South America. It is separated from the mainland by the Strait of Magellan. The islands have in all an area of 21,000 square miles and a population, chiefly Indian, of several thousand. The natives are regarded as lower in the state of civilization than the Fiji Islanders. There are several fishing stations. Some gold is obtained. The passages between the islands are narrow. The scenery is impressive. The land is desolate. Mountains from 6,000 to 7,000 feet high are covered with snow the year around. The main island is divided between Argentina and Chile. The name signifies "Land of Fire." See Magellan