Alejandro Selkirk Island, Remote volcanic island in Juan Fernández archipelago, Chile
Alejandro Selkirk Island is a remote volcanic island in the Juan Fernández archipelago with steep mountainous terrain, deep ravines, and coastal cliffs reaching 1,000 meters high. Rocky slopes are covered with natural vegetation adapted to the harsh, wet island climate.
The island served as a penal colony from 1909 to 1930 for criminals and political prisoners. This period marked an important chapter in Chile's past and shaped the island's history.
The island was renamed in 1966 to honor Alexander Selkirk, a castaway whose solitary experience inspired literature and remains part of local identity today.
The island is accessible only by boat during calm weather, with limited landing points such as Quebrada Sánchez. Visitors should expect challenging terrain and unpredictable weather conditions.
The island is home to the Masafuera rayadito, a bird found nowhere else that numbers fewer than 200 individuals and ranks among South America's rarest species. This small creature represents the fragile wildlife of isolated places.
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