Western Patagonia: From Frontiers of Exploration to the Commodification of Nature
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Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer
Abstract
Western Patagonia is a territory whose historical trajectory has beendescribed in terms of the harshness of its colonization processes and the constantstruggle to domesticate nature. These ideas are still in use today. This chapterrefects on two major transformations: frst, the historical and environmental confguration 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, mainlyfocused on the touristifcation of western Patagonia, understood as a process ofcommodifcation of nature. As a result, we discuss the impact of normative notionsof nature and culture in the production of narratives about western Patagonia, whichconstitute the basis of the practices of the contemporary tourism industry. At thesame time, we identify and consider that the previous production and use of data about the territory provide a particular reality in which the defnition of both socialand natural aspects of the territory must be considered.
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Keywords
Patagonia, Colonization, Touristifcation: commodifcation of nature