Editing Isla de los Estados (section)

==Geography==
The island is approximately {{convert|65|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} long east-west, and {{convert|15|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} wide, with an area of {{convert|534|sqkm|0|abbr=on}}. The island is deeply indented by bays. Its highest point is {{convert|823|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, and is considered to be the last [[Topographic prominence|prominence]] of the [[Andes]] mountain range. It receives around {{convert|2000|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} of rain per year.

The island is surrounded by minor islands and rocks, the largest being ''Observatorio'' island {{convert|6.5|km|mi|2|abbr=on}} north, with an area of {{convert|4|sqkm|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}. At the eastern end of the island is Cape Saint John, a landmark for ships sailing around the island in order to avoid the currents and tides of the Le Maire Strait to the west.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.geographic.org/geographic_names/name.php?uni=-1494178&fid=358&c=argentina|title=Cape Saint John, Argentina - Geographical Names, map, geographic coordinates}}</ref>

The only settlement is the Puerto Parry Naval Station, located in a deep and narrow [[fjord]] on the northern coast of the island. The naval station, established in 1978, is staffed by a team of four seamen  on a 45-day rotation. They monitor environmental conservation and ship movements, and provide emergency assistance.<ref>[http://milodoncitychachacha.blogspot.com/2004/09/isla-de-los-estados.html ''In search of the lighthouse at the end of the world.'' (In Spanish)]</ref>

===Geology===
The island's [[formation (geology)|Formation]] is mainly [[Jurassic]] Lemaire , which is [[tuff]]s and [[lava]]s.  The ''Islas Año Nuevo'', ''Isla Observatoria'', and the ''Caleta Lacroix'' region on the west coast, however, have exposures of the Jurassic-[[Cretaceous]] Beauvoir Formation, mainly composed of [[shale]]s, [[mudstone]]s, [[limestone]]s, and [[graywacke]], plus silt, clay, sand and gravel glacial [[fluvial processes|fluvial deposits]].  There are at least 18 [[fjord]]s, with associated glacial sediments such as [[moraine]]s and [[till]], especially prevalent at Cape San Antonio and Cape Colnett on the north coast.  Key fjords on the north coast include Port Hoppner, Port Parry, Port Basil Hall, Port Año Nuevo, Port Cook, and Port San Juan Del Salvamento going east to west.  Key fjords on the south coast include ''Bahía Capitan Cánepa'', Port Lobo, Port Vancouver, and ''Bahía Blossom'', going east to west.  Cape Kempe on the south coast lies opposite Cape San Antonio.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ponce |first1=Juan Federico |last2=Rabassa |first2=Jorge |last3=Martinez |first3=Oscar A. |title=Morfometria y Genesis De Los Fiordos De Isla De Los Estados, Tierra Del Fuego |journal=Revista de la Asociación Geológica Argentina |date=2009 |volume=65 |issue=4 |pages=638–647 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257367035 |access-date=21 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Moller |first1=Per |last2=Hjort |first2=Christian |last3=Bjorck |first3=Svante |last4=Rabassa |first4=Jorge |last5=Ponce |first5=Juan Federico |title=Late Quaternary glaciation history of Isla de los Estados, southeasternmost South America |journal=Quaternary Research |date=2010 |volume=73 |issue=3 |pages=521–534 |citeseerx=10.1.1.724.8222 |doi=10.1016/j.yqres.2010.02.004 |bibcode=2010QuRes..73..521M |s2cid=128947586 }}</ref> 
[[File:Estados.png|center|thumb|600px|Landsat Geocover 2000 image of Isla de los Estados, with Tierra del Fuego at the left]]
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===Climate===
The island has a cold and humid climate and is characterized by rapid and unpredictable changes in the weather from day to day.{{sfn|Ponce|2014|p=13}} Under the [[Köppen climate classification]], despite the vegetation, it would be classified as a mild [[Tundra#Climatic classification|tundra climate]] (''ET''), a cold climate with a mean temperature in the warmest month below {{convert|10|C|F|1}} with abundant precipitation year-round.{{sfn|Ponce|2014|p=18}}

The climate of the island is strongly influenced by the subpolar low pressure system which develops around the [[Antarctic Circle]] and the surrounding oceans.{{sfn|Ponce|2014|p=13}} Being located between the semi–permanent high pressure cell and the subpolar low (which does not change in intensity through the year and have little seasonal variation), the island is exposed to [[westerlies]] throughout the year.{{sfn|Ponce|2014|p=13}}

Temperatures are low year round but without extreme minimum temperatures.{{sfn|Ponce|2014|p=18}} The mean temperature in summer is {{convert|8.3|C|F|1}} with mean extremes of {{convert|16.2|C|F|1}} and {{convert|3.0|C|F|1}} while in winter, the mean temperature is {{convert|3.3|C|F|1}} with mean extremes of {{convert|7.7|C|F|1}} and {{convert|-4|C|F|1}}.{{sfn|Ponce|2014|p=18}} Mean temperatures are lower than in [[Tierra del Fuego]] but due to the moderating influence of the ocean, extreme minimum temperatures are higher than in Tierra del Fuego.{{sfn|Ponce|2014|p=18}} Coastal areas have average temperatures above {{convert|0|C|F|1}} in the coldest month while higher altitude locations may average below {{convert|0|C|F|1}}.{{sfn|Ponce|2014|p=18}}

Though no reliable records are available, it is estimated that the island averages around {{convert|2000|mm|in|abbr=on}} of precipitation per year.{{sfn|Ponce|2014|p=13}} However, owing to its relief, precipitation is highly variable across the island.{{sfn|Ponce|2014|p=13}} In the eastern parts of the island, it averages {{convert|1400|mm|in|abbr=on}} based on four years of data.{{sfn|Ponce|2014|p=17}} Precipitation occurs frequently on the island, averaging 252 days with precipitation.{{sfn|Ponce|2014|p=18}}{{sfn|Ponce|2014|p=19}} June is the wettest month while October is the driest.{{sfn|Ponce|2014|p=19}} Thunderstorms are very rare.{{sfn|Ponce|2014|p=20}} Snow frequently falls during the winter months, averaging 33 days, although snow can fall during autumn and spring.{{sfn|Ponce|2014|p=19}} The island receives high cloud cover throughout the year, with 74% of the days being cloudy.{{sfn|Ponce|2014|p=19}} June is the cloudiest month while October is the least cloudy month.{{sfn|Ponce|2014|p=19}} Fog is uncommon, averaging only 16 days per year.{{sfn|Ponce|2014|p=19}} Similar to the rest of [[Patagonia]], the island is exposed to strong westerly winds.{{sfn|Ponce|2014|p=20}} These winds often carry moisture with them, leading to frequent storms.{{sfn|Ponce|2014|p=20}} Average wind speeds range from a high of {{convert|37|km/h|abbr=on}} in August to a low of {{convert|24|km/h|abbr=on}} in December.{{sfn|Ponce|2014|p=20}}

===Flora and fauna===
Isla de los Estados is covered with dense low forests of ''[[Nothofagus]]'' (southern beech). The animal life is composed mainly of [[penguin]]s, [[orca]]s, [[Earless seal|seals]], [[seagull]]s, and [[cormorant]]s, as well as human-introduced [[deer]] and [[goat]]s. The island is the location of one of the more southerly [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] breeding colonies of the [[Magellanic penguin]].<ref>C. Michael Hogan (2008) [http://globaltwitcher.auderis.se/artspec_information.asp?thingid=232 ''Magellanic Penguin'', GlobalTwitcher.com, ed. N. Stromberg] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607230613/http://globaltwitcher.auderis.se/artspec_information.asp?thingid=232 |date=2012-06-07 }}</ref> As early as the last part of the 18th century, Isla de los Estados was used as a seal harvesting location.<ref>James Colnett, Robert Galois (2004) ''A Voyage to the North West Side of America: The Journals of James Colnett, 1786-89'', published by UBC Press, {{ISBN|978-0-7748-0855-2}}. 441 pages</ref> The island and surrounding waters, including the [[Burdwood Bank]], an [[ocean bank]] to its east, have been designated an [[Important Bird Area]] (IBA) by [[BirdLife International]] because it supports significant populations of [[southern rockhopper penguin|southern rockhopper]] and Magellanic penguins, [[imperial shag]]s, and [[striated caracara]]s.<ref name=bli>{{cite web |url= https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/49204|title=Isla de los Estados - Banco Burdwood|author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2024|website= BirdLife Data Zone|publisher= BirdLife International|access-date= 2024-10-05}}</ref>