The Environment of Patagonia

The hottest temperature in the summer here is around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and the coldest temperature in the winter is in the low 20s. There is often a lot of wind, but also a lot of sunshine!

Right now it is the end of fall here, so the weather is getting colder and the days are getting shorter. The sun doesn’t come up in the morning until almost 9 a.m.! Everyone here has told me that last winter there was a lot of snow. I have all of my snow gear ready in case it is the same this year!

What parts of this environment help people to live here?:

One special thing about Patagonia is that it is home to a large amount of fresh water. The Río Chubut (Chubut River), Arroyo Esquel (Esquel Creek), and the Zeta and Willmanco lagoons are some of the sources of water in Esquel. These waterways have supported the people, animals, and plants that live in the region for thousands of years. Further south of Esquel in the Santa Cruz Province, there are important glaciers such as the Perito Moreno Glacier and the Upsala Glacier, which also contain a huge amount of water.

What challenges do people face living in this environment?:

Patagonia is a beautiful place, but it can be a challenging place to live. The harsh winds and long, gray winters can be a bit depressing! Many small towns become pretty isolated during the winter since there can be lots of snow and the roads become dangerous and unpassable.

Another challenge that people in this region face are development projects that threaten the local waterways.

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