Villa Puerto Edén

Villa Puerto Edén
Jetarktétqal (Kawésqar)
Villa Puerto Edén
Coordinates: 49°07′34″S 74°24′47″W / 49.126°S 74.413°W / -49.126; -74.413
Country Chile
Region Magallanes y Antártica Chilena
ProvinceÚltima Esperanza
CommuneNatales
Government
  TypeMunicipalidad
  MayorMario Margoni Gadler
Population
 (2002 census )
  Total
176
Time zoneUTC−3 (CLST)
Area codeCountry + town = 56 + 61

Villa Puerto Edén is a Chilean hamlet and minor port located in Wellington Island, in Natales commune, Última Esperanza Province, Magallanes Region. It is considered one of Chile's most isolated inhabited places together with Easter Island and Villa Las Estrellas. The village is known for being the home of the last Kawéshkar people. Owing to the large tidewater glaciers caused by the region’s super-high precipitation, it is only accessible by sea, on the Navimag ferry from Puerto Montt in the north, or Puerto Natales in the south. There is also a monthly boat from Caleta Tortel.

The population is 176 (2002 census). Owing to the extraordinarily humid climate the village has no roads, with only pedestrian boardwalks connecting the houses and shops. A weekly transport boat takes local fish and shellfish products (the latter mainly mussels) to markets. Margarita Vargas López, a member of the Chilean Constitutional Convention, was born and raised in Villa Puerto Edén.