Strait of Magellan

Strait of Magellan, in South America's southern tip.

The Strait of Magellan is a navigable sea route separating mainland South America to the north and Tiera del Fuego to the south. The strait is the most important natural passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans but it is considered a difficult route to navigate because of the unpredictable winds and currents and the narrowness of the passage.

A replica of Victoria one of Magellan's ships

Ferdinand Magellan a Portuguese explorer and navigator in the service of Charles I of Spain, became the first European to navigate the strait in 1520 during his global circumnavigation voyage.
On March 22, 1518, the expedition was organized in Valladolid, naming Magellan captain general of the fleet and governor of all the lands discovered, and establishing the privileges of Magellan and his business associate Rui Faleiro. The fleet would become known as the "Armada de las Molucas" or "Fleet of the Moluccas". The expeditionary fleet of five ships set sail from Sanlucar de Barrmeda on September 20, 1519.

Magellan's ships entered the strait on November 1, 1520, All Saints Day, and it was initially called Estrecho de Todos los Santos (Strait of All Saints). Magellan's chronicler, Antonio Pigafetta, called it the Patagonian Strait, and others Victoria Strait, commemorating the first ship entering it. Within seven years it was being called Estrecho de Magallanes in honor of Magellan. The Spanish Empire and the Captain General of Chile used it as the southern boundary of their territory.

Map of Magellan strait

U.S. Air Craft Carrier in Magellan Strait