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The existing histories and books on Patagonia written according to various standpoints are numerous –from political viewpoints to economic ones, and from religious perspectives to cultural ones. Therefore I encountered valuable sources on this territory in the libraries of Europe, which allowed me to carry out an investigation of the origins of Patagonia up to its European Conquest. I analyzed a large number of historical documents that allowed me to develop a new approach regarding the distinct events that gave rise to this great territory of Terra Incognita.

By studying the manuscripts and publications that cover the 15^th to 19^th Centuries held in various libraries, it was possible to relate what occurred during the explorations and conquest of the New World and Patagonia.

The available material was, to a large extent, in the form of narratives and historical fragments; extracts written by navigators; explorers’ manuscripts and government documents; manuscripts from Jesuit missions, and unedited books found in the Archives of the Indies in Seville, as well as in the libraries of Madrid and Paris. Attempting to conclude an investigation covering this extensive territory and with such a variety of sources was therefore complex work, which I finally completed with this book after six years, and which leaves many topics open for further research in future.

Located in a mysterious place at the end of the earth, Patagonia was explored by the major European powers of the day over the course of more than three centuries, during an era of great uncertainty. Thus, there are a diffuse number of queries regarding the delineation of this territory, as well as historical contradictions, legends and stories.

All these obstacles turned Patagonia into a challenging subject to write about. Clearly, a large number of the sources examined were published with a view of colonizing those lands, for the purpose of incorporating them into the civilized world and annexing Patagonia to the colonial possessions of the age.

This book includes an analysis of the historical sources examined, as well as a study of the individual discoveries achieved by Europeans in the general region of Patagonia, denominated as Terra Australis Incognita (Unknown Southern Land) on maps of the day. I believe these sources will help to understand the origins and customs of this region, its fjords, mountains, lakes, and people, as well as its flora and fauna.

I hope this book can provide a helpful overview of territorial delimits and contribute to clarifying this nebulous topic, with a view to recognizing the true geographical extent of this vast territory called PATAGONIA, including aspects of its exploration, conquest and control.

James Button