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    Awaiting Your Return From Shore | 
      Situated snugly in a well-protected bay 
    of the Golfo Nuevo, Puerto Madryn is the Chubut Province’s natural access 
    point for the plains of Patagonia. This vast area covers one-third of the 
    country but is occupied by less than four percent of the population. 
    Patagonia characteristically encompasses three different regions: a vast and 
    windy, treeless plateau; the Atlantic coast; and the southern part with its 
    national parks, awesome mountain ranges, glaciers and fjords. In the north 
    of Patagonia, in Chubut Province, is Argentina’s Welsh community, which 
    began when a group of adventurous Welsh immigrants settled in the area 
    around Puerto Madryn in 1886. The town took its name from Love Parry, Baron 
    of Madryn. Although today the town appears unmistakably Argentine, Welsh 
    customs, names and even some of the language have survived. On the town’s 
    outskirts stands the statue of a Welsh woman depicting the simple life of 
    these early settlers. 
 Puerto Madryn has experienced rapid development thanks to Argentina’s first 
    aluminum plant established here. Lately it has also become a popular tourist 
    center because of its excellent diving and watersports, recognized by 
    visitors from all over Argentina and other parts of South America.
 
 Still, its major draw is the proximity to such important wildlife reserves 
    as Punta Tombo and the Peninsula Valdés. Scores of visitors endure long 
    drives to visit these amazing nature reserves for Magellanic penguins, 
    elephant seals, sea lions and whales.
 
 In town, a casino and several restaurants known for good seafood provide 
    visitors with basic diversions.
 In addition, there is the Museum of Natural Sciences and Oceanography with 
    exhibits portraying the remarkable wildlife in the Province of Chubut. Main 
    street shops offer a limited selection of leather goods, watersports 
    equipment and items made by the Patagonian Indians.
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    Awaiting Your Return 
    From Shore |