The Diego Ramirez Islands (Sp. Islas Diego Ramirez) are a small group of small islands in the Drake Passage, about 100 km (60 mi) southwest of Cape Horn, 56 deg 30 min S, 68 deg 43 min W. The islands belong to the "comuna de Cabo de Horno" of Antártica Chilena Province.
They were first sighted on 12 February 1619 by the Garcia de Nodal expedition, and named for Diego Ramirez . They were the southernmost land seen to that time, and retained the honor for 156 years, until the discovery of the South Sandwich Islands in 1775.
The Chilean Navy established a meteorological station on the islands in 1951, and resupply it several times each year. Cruise ships occasionally pass by on their way to and from Antarctica.
The islands are an important nesting site for a number of southern seabirds, including the Black-browed Albatross, Shy Albatross , and Southern Giant-Petrel .
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