11. Strait of Magellan
The Strait of Magellan is a navigable sea route in southern Chile, separating mainland South America from the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. Spanning approximately 350 miles (560 kilometers) in length and varying in width from 2 to 20 miles (3 to 32 kilometers), it serves as a natural passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The strait was first navigated by Ferdinand Magellan in 1520 during his expedition to circumnavigate the globe. Before the construction of the Panama Canal in 1914, it was a crucial maritime route for ships traveling between the two oceans. The strait’s challenging navigation, characterized by unpredictable winds and currents, has historically made it a strategic and contested passage. (britannica.com)
