Western Patagonia: From Frontiers of Exploration to the Commodification of Nature

Abstract

AbstractWestern Patagonia is a territory whose historical trajectory has been described in terms of the harshness of its colonization processes and the constant struggle to domesticate nature. These ideas are still in use today. This chapter reflects on two major transformations: first, the historical and environmental configuration of western Patagonia, including the colonization processes and their continuity up to the present day, and the continuities and ruptures of economic activities, mainly tourism. Second, it describes the current occupation strategies, mainly focused on the touristification of western Patagonia, understood as a process of commodification of nature. As a result, we discuss the impact of normative notions of nature and culture in the production of narratives about western Patagonia, which constitute the basis of the practices of the contemporary tourism industry. At the same time, we identify and consider that the previous production and use of data about the territory provide a particular reality in which the definition of both social and natural aspects of the territory must be considered.