Ushuaia is the native word for ‘West Facing Bay’. The explorers discovered this area in the 1500’s, and when Magellan saw all the fires, he named the area Tierra del Fuego, but what he did not realize was that there were native people that had lit the fires to keep warm as even in summer it is cold. Temperatures range from 32-57 degrees Fahrenheit. Later when the explorers began to inhabit the area, they of course brought their missionaries to convert the native people and unfortunately provided them with clothing, which obviously would be a good thing, but since the natives did not have immune systems like the Europeans, they died from bacteria in the clothing. The very last native descendent passed away 2 years ago. From 1902-1937, the political prisoners were sent here to be imprisoned. The current population is 53,000 and growing due to the tourism. Other industries are fishing and electronics. Ushuaia is the Capital of Tierra del Fuego, the entire island has a population of 90 thousand. In July and August there is only 7 hours of daylight, so we are glad we are here now, with about 20 hours of daylight. Good we have block out curtains. We do not have internet at the hotel as we do not have dial-up. We were also unable to use our calling card here.