The Malvinas Islands (Falklands) host a unique ecosystem shaped by their cold, windy climate and isolation. The fauna is dominated by marine mammals and seabirds, while the flora consists mainly of grasses, shrubs, and peat bog vegetation, with no native trees.

Flora of the Malvinas Islands

• Grasslands and Shrubs: The islands are largely covered by tussac grass (Festuca flabellata), which can grow up to 2 meters tall and provides shelter for birds and sea lions.

• Peat Bogs: Extensive peatlands support mosses and small herbaceous plants.

• Heathlands: Areas with dwarf shrubs and hardy plants adapted to poor soils and strong winds.

• Endemic Plants: Species such as Malvinas Daisy (Perezia recurvata) and Malvinas Violet (Viola maculata) are unique to the islands.

• Absence of Native Trees: No native arboreal vegetation exists today, though fossil records show ancient cypress and araucaria forests.

Fauna of the Malvinas Islands

Marine Mammals

• Seals and Sea Lions: Southern sea lions, elephant seals, and fur seals are common along the coasts.

• Cetaceans: Orcas, dolphins, and several whale species migrate through surrounding waters.

Birds

• Penguins: Five species breed here: King, Gentoo, Rockhopper, Macaroni, and Magellanic penguins.

• Seabirds: Albatrosses, petrels, cormorants, and skuas thrive in the nutrient-rich waters.

• Land Birds: The Falkland steamer duck (flightless), upland goose, and the endemic Cobb’s wren are notable.

Invertebrates

• Endemic Beetles: Several species of ground beetles and weevils are unique to the islands, such as Malvinius compressiventris.

Conservation Notes

• Fragile Ecosystem: The harsh climate limits biodiversity, making species highly specialized and vulnerable.

• Threats: Introduced species (rats, cats) have impacted native bird populations.

• Protection Efforts: Conservation programs focus on seabird colonies and restoring tussac grass habitats.

Quick Comparison Table

Category
Key Species/Features
Notes

Flora
Tussac grass, peat bog mosses, endemic daisies
No native trees; vegetation adapted to wind/cold

Marine Mammals
Sea lions, elephant seals, dolphins, whales
Coastal and migratory presence

Birds
Penguins (5 species), albatrosses, Cobb’s wren
Major global seabird colonies

Invertebrates
Endemic beetles, weevils
High endemism despite low diversity

In short: the Malvinas Islands are a haven for seabirds and marine mammals, with vegetation dominated by tussac grass and peat bogs. Their isolation has fostered unique endemic species, but conservation is crucial to protect this fragile ecosystem.

As we headed further and further north on the map, my excitement grew. The whole area was already starting to be uncharted territory for me, so I was very curious to see what things were like in that part of my country. We were already very close to achieving our improvised goal of reaching Bolivia, but along the way we were also seeing some very curious places. One obligatory stop was La Quiaca, the northernmost city in Argentina in the province of Jujuy, where we took two nights to rest and also to sort out our paperwork before crossing the border .

After driving more than 180 km in the small Suzuki 4x4, we left Iruya in the province of Salta to head to La Quiaca, in the province of Jujuy. That would be our last stop in Argentina before heading to the neighboring country. It was impossible to go any further, because we were literally about to cross to the other side. However, despite being so close, we needed some time to be able to go to the ATM to withdraw cash so we could get a good exchange rate in Bolivia, try to get the yellow fever vaccine and be able to fill up with gas before crossing. For this we stayed two nights in a small hostel for which we paid $25 per night for two people

As for money, we were able to get a good amount from ATMs and this was the most convenient thing, since due to the high taxes Argentina imposes on using debit and credit cards abroad, the best option was to pay for everything with cash. Regarding the yellow fever vaccine, we had read that it was necessary but I went to the hospital and couldn't get it because it wasn't the day they were doing the vaccination campaign. I risked going to Bolivia anyway, hoping not to get sick from anything (spoiler: I didn't get sick from anything). Third, we were able to fill a jerry can with extra gasoline, which was what we wanted, since we were afraid of not getting it easily in Bolivia, since there was a rumor that they didn't sell it to foreigners .

All of these things took up the time we decided to stay in La Quiaca. As for the city, like any border city, it is not as touristy or elegant, but it is still full of signs that highlight what distinguishes it: being the northernmost city in Argentina. There are signs everywhere for photos, and many stickers of people who wanted to leave their mark on this place. In addition, everything was quite cheap here, just like what we saw in our previous days in other northern cities .

The city of La Quiaca in Jujuy represents the northern end of the famous journey that crosses my country from end to end along Route 40, parallel to the Andes Mountains and ending in the city of Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego province. This route covers 5,194 km and visits 11 of the 23 provinces we have in Argentina. This trip is one of the most desired by nomadic travelers, who choose to do it in different vehicles, from cars, trucks, motorcycles and motorhomes to bicycles. Being at either end of this route, whether in La Quiaca or Ushuaia, is exciting, and that is how I felt after finally getting to know this city, because I already knew Ushuaia .

I think that throughout this whole traveling phase of my life, which began almost a year and a half ago, I did a lot of great things and being in the northernmost and southernmost extremes of my country was one of them. When I decided that I wanted to travel a bit around the north of Argentina, I didn't think that I would literally get to La Quiaca, the furthest north we have. I really enjoyed getting to know this place, which despite being simple has a very special value for travelers and for all of us who love Argentina and love Route 40. Once again, I was able to get to know a new corner of the many we have here .

❤️ Hope you liked this post! Thanks for reading. ❤️

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If there is one thing I am grateful for about my visit to Ushuaia, it is that I took advantage of every free moment I had to go for a walk and take in the beautiful scenery. After staying in the city for so long, I felt like I already knew almost every corner, but there was always something new to see. One of those things I had yet to see was the city's shopping mall, so one morning I set out determined to go there. But finally I got distracted just before I got there, and I ended up going back home without seeing it, but having spent a nice afternoon enjoying the sun .

Ushuaia's waterfront is not that long and it is possible to walk from end to end if you take the time to do so. On my regular trips, when I left the hostel, I always turned to the left side of the city, as that is where the Bahía Encerrada (Enclosed Bay) is located, an option for a nature walk near the city. But to go to the shopping centre you had to go to the north side, so that's where I went.

_{Route from the coastal promenade to the Paseo del Fuego Shopping Center
Ruta del paseo costero hasta el Shopping Paseo del Fuego}

According to the map it would take about 45 minutes to walk from the hostel to the shopping centre, so it seemed like a good plan before I started my volunteer shift. In this part of the city's waterfront is Ushuaia's commercial port, so most of the boats and boats for tours are located here. And of course, a lot of tourists in the surrounding area.

But walking a few more blocks along the coast, the tourist area ends and the place becomes quieter. On this part of the road are the facilities of the Argentinean Navy, and there are also boats, but they are now part of the official forces. Not many people come walking along this part because there is also public transport that takes you around this area, but my idea was to stretch my legs.

On this tour you can see what I always remark about Ushuaia and its changing weather in a matter of minutes. In the short time it took me to cross the area of the Navy building, the sky changed from cloudy to clear, so much so that it seemed like different times. That's how the whole walk went, with intervals of sun, clouds, wind and even a little drizzle. Typical weather at the End of the World.

By the time I reached the shopping area, after walking along the side of the road, I found a descent to the beach, the first one I could see after 4 kilometres of walking. All this part of the coast is occupied by something and there is no drop-off to the beach, so I was surprised that there was one right next to the shopping centre. By then, the weather was nice and I decided to go and sit there for a while. This was one of those moments when I couldn't believe that a casual stroll on a random day could lead me to such a beautiful place. I was grateful for my present, and sat there for a while enjoying the atmosphere ❤️.

In the end, I found it more interesting to stay there on the beach than to go shopping. The day was looking good, and unbelievably it wasn't that cold. The big spoiler of all this is that I ended up leaving Ushuaia after almost six months of my stay and I never went into that shopping centre. Everyone told me that it's small and that I didn't miss much, so I have no regrets: shopping malls I can visit near my home in Buenos Aires, but seeing landscapes like that, only there .

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