The Valdes Peninsula (Spanish: Península Valdés) is a land area that sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean. It is located in the Viedma Department, which is in the northeast part of Chubut Province, Argentina. The peninsula is next to San Matías Gulf on the north side. It is a significant nature reserve that was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999.
Geography
The peninsula covers an area of about 3,625 kilometers (1,400 square miles) (not including the isthmus of Carlos Ameghino, which connects the peninsula to the mainland). The nearest large town is Puerto Madryn. The only town on the peninsula is the small settlement of Puerto Pirámides. There are also several estancias, which are farms where sheep are raised.
Most of the peninsula has little vegetation and contains salt lakes. The largest lake is about 40 meters below sea level, which was once thought to be the lowest point in Argentina and South America. However, the actual lowest point in South America is Laguna del Carbón, also located in Argentina.
The coastline is home to marine mammals, such as sea lions, elephant seals, and fur seals. The nearby waters are the most important breeding ground for southern right whales in the world. These whales are found in Golfo Nuevo and Golfo San José, which are protected areas between the peninsula and the Patagonian mainland. The whales arrive between May and December to mate and give birth because the water in the gulf is calmer and warmer than in the open sea. Orcas can also be seen near the peninsula’s coast. These animals sometimes swim onto the shore to catch sea lions and elephant seals.
The inner part of the peninsula is home to rheas, guanacos, and maras. Many different bird species also live there, with at least 181 species recorded, including the Cape petrel. The peninsula, along with nearby Punta León and Punta Loma, has been named an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International. This area supports large numbers of Magellanic penguins (about 150,000 breeding pairs), as well as rock and imperial shags, kelp gulls, and several types of terns.
The Valdes Peninsula has a cold desert climate (BWk) that is close to a cold semi-desert climate (BSk). Its climate is typical of northern Patagonia and is influenced by wind patterns and the nearby ocean. The peninsula lies between the subtropical high-pressure belt (at 30°S) and the subpolar low-pressure zone (between 60°S and 70°S), causing winds to mostly come from the west. The average yearly temperature is 10.6°C (51.1°F), with winter temperatures averaging 8°C (46.4°F) and summer temperatures averaging 18°C (64.4°F). In winter, temperatures range from 0°C to 15°C (32°F to 59°F), and frosts are common, occurring about 12 to 20 days each season. In summer, temperatures range from 15°C to 35°C (59°F to 95°F).
The average yearly rainfall is about 240 millimeters (9.4 inches), though it changes a lot from year to year. The interior of the peninsula receives slightly less rain than coastal areas, with about 200 to 225 millimeters (7.9 to 8.9 inches) of rain each year. Rainfall is spread fairly evenly throughout the year, with the most rain falling between April and June. The El Niño Southern Oscillation strongly affects the peninsula’s climate. During El Niño years, rainfall increases between November and February.