Isla de Lobos, Natural reserve island in Maldonado Department, Uruguay.
Isla de Lobos is a rocky island at the mouth of the Río de la Plata estuary in Uruguay that rises 26 meters above sea level and covers roughly 43.5 hectares. A 59-meter lighthouse reconstructed in 1906 stands on this rocky terrain.
Spanish navigator Juan Díaz de Solís identified the island in 1516, and Venetian explorer Sebastian Cabot visited it in 1527. These early contacts were part of European exploration of South American coastal areas.
The chapel built in 1945 on a nearby rock formation shows how German and Italian sailors sought refuge and gave thanks during their journeys. The site carries stories of seafarers who found shelter in this remote location.
Climbing the lighthouse requires ascending 240 steps to reach the viewing level and see the surrounding waters. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes as the rocky surfaces can be slippery and uneven.
The island hosts one of the western hemisphere's largest seal colonies, with thousands of animals living on the rocky shores. Visitors can observe these creatures from designated viewpoints when conditions allow.
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