Juan Fernandez Islands

Information about the Juan Fernandez Archipelago, Chile

Robinson Crusoe, Alejandro Selkirk and Santa Clara islands

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Juan Fernández Archipelago

Introduction

The Juan Fernández Islands are a sparsely inhabited island group reliant on tourism and fishing in the South Pacific Ocean. Situated 670 km (362 nmi; 416 mi) off the coast of Chile, they are composed of three main volcanic islands: Robinson Crusoe, Alejandro Selkirk and Santa Clara. The group is considered part of Insular Chile.

The islands are primarily known for having been the home to the marooned sailor Alexander Selkirk for more than four years from 1704, which may have inspired Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe. Most of the archipelago's present-day inhabitants reside on Robinson Crusoe Island, and mainly in the capital, San Juan Bautista, located at Cumberland Bay on the island's north coast.

San Juan Bautista, founded around the late 1700s or early 1800s, is the main town in the Juan Fernández Islands. It is located on Cumberland Bay on the center of the northeast coast of Robinson Crusoe Island.

Although the community maintains a rustic serenity dependent on the spiny lobster trade, residents employ a few vehicles, a satellite internet connection, and many television sets.
As of the 2012 census, the town had a population of 800 in an area of 0.31 km2 (0.12 sq mi).

Gastronomy

The main and most characteristic product on which the island's gastronomy is based is the well-known lobster, which is prepared in different ways, the most common being "Half lobster on the plate" since that is where its delicate and distinguished flavor can be appreciated . Other forms are the traditional "Perol" (kind of casserole).

Other characteristic products of the island, do not have to stop trying the golden crab and the exquisite fish, standing out the grouper, the glass and the breca.

Activities

Excursions on horseback, walks as well as the islands boats, will take you safely to any point of the archipelago.

Diving and underwater hunting are ideal instances to exploit a hidden side of a natural magic not visible at first sight, delivering a more personal and deep encounter with the privileged nature that Robinson Crusoe has.

The great natural landscapes in the middle of the Pacific will make this experience a mark in your life and you will not regret it.

Other activities

Robinson Crusoe is an ideal island for trekking and photography, with great viewpoints near El Yunque hill, the main peak of its undulating geography.

You can also enjoy the kindness and countless legends told by its people, heirs of the first settlers arrived a century ago.

by the numbers:

Juan Fernandez Islands by the numbers:

• Population (2017):
  • 900 inhabitants
• Location:
  • Lat, Long: 33.6614° S, 78.9278° W
  • GPS Coordinates: 33º 39' 41.04" S, 78º 55' 40.08" W
  • +/- 765 km (475.4 mi) west of Santiago
• Elevation:
  • 420 m (1377 ft 11")
• Timezone:
  • CLT – Chile Standard Time (Current offset: UTC -3 hrs)

Maps:

Maps:

Video:

Video

Weather forecasts:

The weather:

The weather in the Juan fernandez islands.

Climate

Mediterranean with oceanic influence. The average annual temperature is 15.5 ° C, while the rainfall totals 1,181 mm. with a relative humidity that exceeds 70%.

Given the multiple weather conditions that can occur in a single day, it is essential to be prepared for summer and winter climate, layers work best with a waterproof/semipermeable outerlayer to top it off.

Historical values:
	Min	Max
January	11ºC/52ºF	22ºC/72ºF
February	11ºC/52ºF	23ºC/73ºF
March	10ºC/50ºF	21ºC/70ºF
April	9ºC/48ºF	19ºC/66ºF
May	8ºC/46ºF	16ºC/61ºF
June	7ºC/45ºF	14ºC/57ºF
July	6ºC/43ºF	13ºC/55ºF
August	6ºC/43ºF	14ºC/57ºF
September	6ºC/43ºF	15ºC/59ºF
October	7ºC/45ºF	16ºC/61ºF
November	8ºC/46ºF	18ºC/64ºF
December	10ºC/50ºF	20ºC/68ºF