It was a very interesting town, settled by various immigrant groups from Europe in the mid 19th century. Obviously a very wealthy place in its heyday, as evidenced by the very elaborate tombs in the local cemetery.
The current people thinks of themselves as Magallanicos, not Chilean, to the extent that they have their own flag. Not hard to understand why, when the area has been developed by a diverse group of people far removed from Santiago - which is 2,200 kms to the north.
They are a very proud group and very clear about their separate identity.
The other interesting point about this area is that the entire southern tip of Sth America is a vast network of islands. Punta Arenas is on the last part of the continent, with all the other portion to the south being a network of islands - including Cape Horn, which is 400 kms to the south..
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