Strait of Magellan

Located just south of mainland Chile, near the southern tip of South America, the Strait of Magellan is one of the only natural passages between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Until construction of the Panama Canal was completed in 1914, it was the only safe way to travel between the two oceans.

In 1520, Ferdinand Magellan became the first European explorer to cross the strait. Because he crossed on November 1, the strait was originally named The Strait of All Saints.