Hermite Islands

The Hermite Islands (Spanish: Islas Hermite) are the islands Hermite, Herschel, Deceit and Hornos as well as the islets Maxwell, Jerdán, Arrecife, Chanticleer, Hall, Deceit (islet), and Hasse at almost the southernmost end of South America.[1] The smallest and southernmost of the major islands is Hornos Island, the location of Cape Horn. The islands are located south of the Wollaston Islands and separated from them by the Franklin Channel. The islets Terhalten, Sesambre, Evout and Barnevelt are located easterly and are not considered part of the Hermite islands.

For Hermite Island in Australia, see Montebello Islands.
Hermite Islands
Native name:
Islas Hermite or L'Hermite

Nickname: Samajani (Yahgan Language)[1]
The best known of the islands, Cape Horn
Hermite Islands
Geography
Coordinates55.8333°S 67.4167°W / -55.8333; -67.4167
ArchipelagoTierra del Fuego
Adjacent bodies of waterPacific ocean
Major islandsHermite, Herschel, Deceit and Hornos
Administration
RegionMagallanes
ProvinceAntártica
CommuneCabo de Hornos
Additional information
NGA UFI= -884095

The southernmost islands of the American continent are the Diego Ramírez Islands, southwest of Cape Horn. South of all these islands is the Drake Passage.

The southern tip of Deceit island extends southeastwards through a line of sharp-edged rocks known as Los dientes o garras de Deceit (Deceit teeth or claws) that end in a rough islet, Islote Deceit. The islands form part of the Cabo de Hornos National Park.

History

They are named after the Dutch admiral Jacques l'Hermite (1582-1624). Hermite Islands were visited by Charles Darwin at the turn of 1832/1833. Argentina started 1978 the Operation Soberania to seize the islands.

Wollaston and Hermite Islands
  • Landscape in the Hermite Islands
  • Deceit teeth
  • Barnevelt Island
  • Evout Island

See also

References
  1. 7. Cabo de Hornos , retrieved on 14 February 2013
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