The dividing line between Antarctica and South America

The Drake Strait lies between the southern tip of South America and south shetland islands in Antarctica, near Chile and Argentina. It is the place where the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean connect in the south, and it is also the dividing line between South America and Antarctica.

This strait was named after Francis Drake, the captain of the British privateer in the 6th century. He led his fleet across the strait in 1578, becoming the first European to cross the strait. Drake Strait is one of the widest straits in the world, with a width of about 900 kilometers at the narrowest point and 970 kilometers at the widest point, with an average water depth of about 3,400 meters and a deepest depth of 5,248 meters.

Because the Drake Strait connects the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, it has an important influence on the global ocean circulation and climate. At the same time, this strait is also an important channel for the migration of marine life. Antarctic marine life enters the waters near South America through this strait in search of food, and at the same time brings Antarctic cold water, making the marine ecosystem in southern South America very unique.

Therefore, the Drake Strait, as the dividing line between Antarctica and South America, not only has geographical significance, but also has an important impact on the global ocean and climate system.