As we drill down and explore Chile in more detail, we delve into the vast wilderness known as Patagonia. Long a source of mystery and wonder, the over 1 million km2 region in Argentina and indeed Chile, has a miniscule population density (less than Canada in fact) with only 2 million total inhabitants.

Why the low population? Well, as pristine as the physical layout of Patagonia is, the massive swath of land in furthermost south South America is rough and rugged terrain. With the Andes, low plains and proximate areas to Antarctica in her midst, much of Patagonia is in essence, the geographical equivalent of a supermodel: pretty to look at but hard to be around.

The majority of the massive region is made up of in fact, steppes, or plains with very minimal vegetation cover. This harsh reality changes of course, as you make your way closer to the high Andes, where life in all forms flourishes in much greater abundance. The area known as Chilean Patagonia is comprised of three distinct regions, each with tourist appeal, albeit somewhat elusive in certain cases. The principal draw in all instances is to the shock of nobody, the peerless natural vistas and immense landscapes.

The province of Palena in Chilean Patagonia has a very small capital in Chait?n, whose population of several thousand had to migrate north after the eruption of a nearby volcano in May 2008 that was thought to have been dormant. Unfortunately, what was bad for the populace is good for tourism. Visitors to the province flock to several volcanic peaks within a network of splendid national parks, some of which are semi-active, with others in hopeful permanent hibernation. Corcovado National Park, for example, contains two volcanoes and a wonderful array of biodiversity, particularly in the realm of plants and birds.

Pumalin Park, also in Palena, is actually a private conservation area. Owner Douglas Tompkins, a notable American ecologist and textile magnate who co-founded The North Face and Esprit labels, bought the land in an attempt to preserve precious Valdivian temperate rainforest and promote ecotourism. Despite attempts by local townspeople to block his expansion efforts, plans to develop Pumalin Park further are on the table.

Hornopir?n National Park borders Pumalin Park and as a result, shares the vital responsibility of Valdivian rainforest preservation, and all the interconnected wildlife that comes with it. Home to glaciers, dramatic mountains and active volcanoes, Hornopir?n is a tremendous park to discover, with the promise of exotic animals around every pass. For intrepid tourists on a Patagonia road trip, the park is accessible from the fabled Carretera Austral, a highway built by Augusto Pinochet’s army over the course of a decade to connect the capital of Santiago with Palena Province and the most remote reaches of the country.

The Chilean Patagonian region of Ais?n poses a lot of problems for the national government. Remote, cut off by poor infrastructure and communication, the rugged region is relatively unspoiled and brilliant, but untraversable in many respects. Nonetheless, for adventure tourism, Ais?n is a virtual goldmine. Home to the Patagonian Ice Fields (which other than Greenland and Antarctica are the frozen shelves of record in the world), numerous fjords, lakes and narrow channels, not to mention Laguna San Rafael National Park, Ais?n draws a fair share of wealthy travellers on the hunt for photogenic jewels off the beaten path.

The last stronghold of Patagonia that remains the exclusive domain of Chile is the Magallanes and Ant?rtica Chilena Region. With by far the most land of any in the country, albeit with a tiny population, the Magallanes contains cattle ranchers and whole lot of scientists, conservationists and ecotourists. This area is exactly why so much attention is paid to Chile’s phenomenal diversity. With exotic endemic fauna like guanacos, penguins and condors, the Magallanes is one of the few untouched natural oases left on the planet. Let’s hope a nascent oil industry does not adversely affect the regional home of Cape Horn, the Straits of Magellan and gorgeous Torres del Paine Natural Park.

Discover hotel rates in Chile before you venture to Patagonia.

Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6