The “Antarctica Room” in Valparaiso, Chile is Now Open

An important aspect to traveling to Antarctica is understanding the destination, its complexity and significance for all life on Planet Earth. All of Antarctica21's expeditions offer an education program that complement the travel experience of guests. As travelers explore, our team of polar guides and academics share their knowledge about the Antarctic environment, wildlife and the importance of this unique region. These educational experiences range from on-board presentations, to engaging small-group discussions, to real-life participation in Citizen Science programs.In continuing this tradition, we recently had the opportunity to extend our role in polar education to a broader audience that includes students and the general public. With a donation made to Chile's National Maritime Museum, Antarctica21 provided funding for a new and permanent “Antarctica Room” at the museum. The new wing aims to introduce museumgoers to Antarctica while highlighting Chile’s role and contributions to the region.The Maritime Heritage Corporation of Chile and the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies at Harvard University collaborated on the design of the Antarctic Room. The exhibit reproduces Chile’s Arturo Prat Antarctic Base and allows visitors to appreciate what life is like at the base. Visitors can see examples of Antarctic wildlife, feel Antarctic temperatures in the “cold tunnel”, and admire a reproduction of the Antarctic night sky, among other experiences. A model of our new ship, Magellan Explorer, will soon be displayed in the Antarctic Room.Antarctica's awesome beauty and rich history is something everyone should understand. The Antarctic Room was inaugurated on September 3, 2019 and is now open to the public. Chile’s National Maritime Museum is located at Paseo Veintiuno de Mayo, Playa Ancha, in Valparaíso, Chile. We’re proud to have been able to contribute to this educational project and hope that you are able to visit the museum one day soon!