Captain Arturo Prat Base

Captain Arturo Prat Base is a Chilean research station located at Iquique Cove on Greenwich Island in the Antarctic region. The facility contains multiple buildings designed to support scientists conducting ionospheric and meteorological research throughout the year.

The base was founded in 1947 as part of Chile's first Antarctic expedition and began under military command. Management shifted to regional civilian authorities in 2006, changing how the facility operated.

The station is named after a Chilean naval officer and maintains four memorial sites on its grounds that reflect the blend of military heritage and scientific mission. These markers show how the facility connects Chilean identity to polar research.

The site can accommodate up to 40 people and operates with varying conditions depending on the season and weather patterns. Access to the facility requires understanding that Antarctic locations present unique environmental challenges throughout the year.

Temperature swings at this location are extreme, dropping to around minus 29 degrees Celsius during winter months but occasionally spiking to about 19 degrees Celsius. These dramatic shifts result from unusual weather events that temporarily transform the frozen landscape.