ATTRACTIONS

Beyond its scenic beauty, Juan Fernandez Archipelago has a rich history, well worth knowing. Between the 17th and 18th centuries, these islands were the favorite refuge for pirates and corsairs and, some time later, the remote political prison to which the Spaniards the patriots that were longing for independence and advocated Chile's independence.
The archipelago Juan Fernandez was discovered by the seafarer of the same name. Although the exact date is uncertain, it is said to have been on November 22, 1574. The Scottish corsair Alexander Selkirk was left behind in one of the islands in 1704. After four years, he was rescued, and his adventure became the famous novel Robinson Crusoe, written by Daniel Defoe.
Another important event was the sinking of the German ship Dresden. It was the last ship of the well-known German squadron under the command of Fleet Admiral Von Spee, sunk by the English Navy vessels Glasgow and Kent,. The German ship is currently at 65 meters bellow the surface Robinson Crusoe Island is the biggest in the archipelago, by comparison with the other islands, which are hardly visible in an atlas. Despite their smallness, the islets -Marinero Alejandro Selkirk or Santa Clara among them- are full of attractions and things to see.

Now that you know the history of Juan Fernandez archipelago, which has been declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1977, make sure you come to visit the sites that will become your favorite places within this Insular Chile area.
Robinson Crusoe Island is truly worthy of a novel. It is the biggest isle in the Juan Fernandez Archipelago. It is 670 kilometers from the city of Valparaiso and has a population of close to 500 inhabitants who mainly live from fishing.

A tour around Robinson Crusoe Island must include a stop at the Vantage Point, a lookout with a splendid view. This lookout point is said to be the one which Selkirk (who inspired Daniel Defoe) often used to visit in order to search for corsair vessels. Mountains Yunque and Tres Puntas are also especially beautiful.

The island has also these attractions:

• The Island Cemetery is the place where seafarers used to bury their mates. It is on the shores of Robinson Crusoe Island. Here lie the mortal remains of Baron Alfredo de Rodt who, in 1877 laid the foundations for the current settlement on the island, the sailors of the Dresden, the last vessel of the German squadron in World War I, also lie here.
  
  
• Yunque Square was a refuge to the so called "German Robinson", Hugo Weber, who survived the sinking of the Dresden and lived in the island for 12 years. It is possible to reach the site after a 2-hour walk, during which travellers have a chance to appreciate some varieties of ferns and the huge "nalca" and "pangue" leaves, locally known as "Robinson's umbrella".
  
  
• Robinson's Cave, also known as "Puerto Ingles", is still visible at the top of the hill overlooking the bay and contains the fort cannons which defended the island from British corsair attacks. It is 20 minutes away by boat from San Juan Bautista (the inhabited area on Robinson Island).
  
  
• Puerto Frances was the favourite landing place of the French buccaneers'. It is located south of Cumberland bay, three sailing hours away.
  
  
• Arenal Beach, it is located at the southwestern tip of the island. After a two hour sailing journey through remarkable islets, cliffs and walrus colonies one reaches this area of crystal-clear warm water. Camp equipment and food are highly recommended items to take on this tour.

Juan Fernandez National Park covers 18,300 hectares (9,300 on Robinson Crusoe Island, 8,500 on Selkirk Island and 500 on Santa Clara Island) and was declared a World Biosphere Reserve in 1977. It is 674 kms from the continent on the Pacific Ocean Island.
Seventy per cent of the flowers in the archipelago, which was declared a National Park in 1935, are indigenous to this place. Among the flora, it is possible to find native varieties of apple trees, cabbage, cinnamon trees and palm trees, all of them bearing "Juan Fernandez" in their names. Other important species are the "coralillo", the "luma de masafuera", the "Juan Bueno", the "mayu monte", the "olivillo", the "madera dura" and several climbing ferns.
Within the fauna species you can see, are the "double-furred" sea lion, a sea mammal found in the locations of Santa Clara and Tres Puntas, the Green-backed Fire Crest, frequently seen in the interior forests and the "cernicalo". The three latter species bear "Juan Fernandez" in their names.
The animal species introduced by man are: the "Juan Fernandez goat", the rabbit, the coati, the common mouse and the cats, which are now roaming wild.

Alejandro Selkirk Island has the highest point of the archipelago, at Mt Los Inocentes (1,650 meters). The island has 85 sq km and is 180 kms from Robinson Crusoe Island and 834 from Valparaiso. Here it is possible to admire cliffs about a thousand meters in height. The beaches are rocky and have little sand.
The island has a population of no more than 25 inhabitants (unless someone was born after this page was edited!) living at the Colonia inlet and in the De las Casas gully.

Santa Clara Island is the smallest one in the archipelago, and is now deserted. It covers an area of 5 sq km and is 1 ½ km from Robinson Crusoe Island.