Madre de Dios

Welcome to Madre de Dios, a Polar island in the South Pacific Ocean, part of the majestic Pacific Ocean. This guide offers a comprehensive overview of what makes Madre de Dios unique – from its geography and climate to its population, infrastructure, and beyond. Dive into the details:
- Geography and Size: Explore the island’s size and location.
- Climate and Weather: Weather patterns and temperature.
- Topography and Nature: Uncover the natural wonders of the island.
- Infrastructure and Travelling: Insights on reaching, staying, and making the most of your visit.
- News and Headlines: Latest News.
Geography and size of Madre de Dios
Size: 1138 km²
Coastline: 1359 km
Ocean: Pacific Ocean
Sea: South Pacific Ocean
Continent: South America
Madre de Dios is a Very Large Island spanning 1138 km² with a coastline of 1359 km.
Archipel: Cordillera Patagónica Insular – A series of islands in the Patagonian region, known for their dramatic landscapes and part of the Andean mountain range.
Tectonic Plate: South America – A major plate covering the South American continent and part of the Atlantic Ocean, known for the Andes mountain range and significant seismic and volcanic activity.
The geographic heart of the island is pinpointed at these coordinates:
Latitude: -50.22317755 / Longitude: -75.17068575
Climate and weather of Madre de Dios
Climate Zone: Polar
Climate Details: Tundra
Temperature: Cold
Climate Characteristics: The tundra climate features long, extremely cold winters and short, cool summers. Vegetation is limited to mosses, lichens, and small shrubs due to the low temperatures and short growing seasons. Biodiversity is low, but some specialized species thrive.
Topography and nature of Madre de Dios
Timezone: UTC-04:00
Timezone places: America/La_Paz
Max. Elevation: 692 m
Mean Elevation: 196 m
Vegetation: Evergreen Broadleaf Forest
Tree Coverage: 43%
The mean elevation is 196 m. The highest elevation on the island reaches approximately 692 meters above sea level. The island is characterized by Plateau: Elevated flatlands rising sharply above the surrounding area, with a maximum elevation over 500 meters but a mean elevation less than 300 meters, forming unique highland areas on islands.
Dominating Vegetation: Evergreen Broadleaf Forest
Characterized by dense, lush canopies of broadleaf trees that retain their leaves year-round. These forests are typically found in tropical and subtropical regions and are known for their high biodiversity. Madre de Dios has a tree cover of 43 %.
Vegetation: 13 vegetation zones – Exceptionally Diverse Island
Islands with more than ten vegetation zones are among the most ecologically rich and varied in the world. These islands are akin to miniature continents, boasting an incredible array of ecosystems. The sheer range of habitats, from high peaks to deep valleys, rainforests to deserts, creates a mosaic of life that is unparalleled. They are crucial for conservation and ecological studies.
Infrastructure and Travelling to Madre de Dios
Does the island have a public airport? no.
There is no public and scheduled airport on Madre de Dios. The nearest airport is Lieutenant Julio Gallardo Airport, located 300 km away.
Does the island have a major port? no.
There are no major ports on Madre de Dios. The closest major port is PUERTO NATALES, approximately 299 km away.
The mean population of Madre de Dios is 1 per km². Madre de Dios is Uninhabited. The island belongs to Chile.
Continuing your journey, Drummond Hoy is the next notable island, situated merely km away.
Madre de Dios: La isla perdida



Chile is classified as Emerging region: G20: Group of Twenty – Major economies comprising both developed and emerging countries, representing the world’s largest economies. The level of income is Upper middle income.
News – Latest Updates and Headlines from Madre de Dios
Stay informed with the most recent news and important headlines from Madre de Dios. Here’s a roundup of the latest developments.
- GLOBAL INDIGENOUS: A call to honor privacy of world’s uncontacted peoples - ictnews.orgon 5 November 2025
GLOBAL INDIGENOUS: A call to honor privacy of world’s uncontacted peoples ictnews.org
- Indigenous tribes risk extinction as clout-chasing influencers invade remote communities: report - New York Poston 27 October 2025
Indigenous tribes risk extinction as clout-chasing influencers invade remote communities: report New York Post
- Half of uncontacted Indigenous tribes "could be wiped out" in 10 years, report says. Here's what to know. - CBS Newson 27 October 2025
Half of uncontacted Indigenous tribes "could be wiped out" in 10 years, report says. Here's what to know. CBS News
- Illegal Gold Mining Clears 140,000 Hectares of Peruvian Amazon - Earth Island Instituteon 8 October 2025
Illegal Gold Mining Clears 140,000 Hectares of Peruvian Amazon Earth Island Institute
- ‘We Don’t Want Contact Because You Are Bad’: Loggers Close In on Uncontacted People in Peruvian Amazon - Pulitzer Centeron 5 July 2025
‘We Don’t Want Contact Because You Are Bad’: Loggers Close In on Uncontacted People in Peruvian Amazon Pulitzer Center
- World Earthquake Report for Monday, 23 June 2025 - Volcano Discoveryon 24 June 2025
World Earthquake Report for Monday, 23 June 2025 Volcano Discovery
- World's last uncontacted tribes: Who are they and what threats do they face? - Türkiye Todayon 22 March 2025
World's last uncontacted tribes: Who are they and what threats do they face? Türkiye Today
- Madre de Dios Island: A unique geological paradise in Chilean Patagonia - yourweather.co.ukon 5 December 2024
Madre de Dios Island: A unique geological paradise in Chilean Patagonia yourweather.co.uk
- Group says photos of reclusive tribe on Peru beach show logging concessions are 'dangerously close' - The Turtle Island Newson 24 July 2024
Group says photos of reclusive tribe on Peru beach show logging concessions are 'dangerously close' The Turtle Island News
- Watch: Patagonia: The final frontier (ARTE) - Times of Maltaon 6 June 2024
Watch: Patagonia: The final frontier (ARTE) Times of Malta
Social Media Posts about Madre de Dios
- on 14 December 2025
Rohstoffabbau im Amazonasgebiet zwischen #Peru und #Bolivien gebremst #Umwelt #MadredeDios #Bergbau Umweltschützer*innen können aufatmen: Der #Nationalpark Bahuaja Sonene im peruanischen #Amazonas -Gebiet wurde per Gerichtsentscheid für alle […]
- on 21 November 2025
https://rfi.my/CCLg#pérou #or #madrededios #orpaillage
- on 17 November 2025
#MadredeDios is a region in southeastern Peru’s Amazon Basin, bordering Brazil and Bolivia. In the west, vast Manú National Park encompasses Andean highland, cloud forest and
- on 27 August 2025
Minería ilegal se expande a nueve regiones amazónicas y amenaza comunidades y ríos #Peru #Umwelt #Bergbau #Amazonas #Indigene #Flüsse Informe de Conservación Amazónica (ACCA) advierte que la actividad ilícita ha cobrado mayor fuerza en las […]
- on 14 August 2025
Illegaler Goldabbau: Quecksilber in Bäumen, Vögeln, Fischen und Menschen #Peru #Bergbau Bei der Gewinnung von #Gold aus Flüssen wird mit hochgiftigem #Quecksilber gearbeitet, das Flora und Fauna der Region erheblich kontaminiert und auch in die […]
- on 3 August 2025
Biodiversity defender murdered in #MadredeDios #Peru #Bergbau #Menschenrechte Calls for justice and action have rung out following the killing of an environmental defender and farmers’ leader last week in Madre de Dios – a part of Peru’s […]
- on 13 May 2025
Defensoría del Pueblo: en abril se registraron cuatro nuevos conflictos sociales en todo el país #Peru #Menschenrechte #Umwelt #BergbauLa Defensoría del Pueblo dio a conocer el reporte de conflictos sociales n° 254, en el que se da cuenta de 197 […]
- on 28 January 2025
🌿⛏️⚖️ Impacto de la Minería Ilegal en Madre de Dios: Una Crisis Ambiental 🌍🚨✨#DerechoAmbiental #MineríaIlegal #MadreDeDios #ProtecciónDelMedioAmbiente #CursoTaller #Sostenibilidad
- on 19 January 2025
Duro golpe a la minería ilegal: Fuerzas del orden incautan y destruyen materiales por más de S/14 millones en cuatro regiones #Peru #Bergbau La Dicapi y la PNP llevaron ocho exitosos operativos de interdicción en #MadredeDios, #Cajamarca, […]
- on 17 October 2024
Pescadores de Barra del Pacuare denuncian muerte masiva de peces por presunta contaminación por agroquímicosAgentes del Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) visitaron la zona para recabar pruebas, después de la denuncia hecha por los […]
Please note: The data used here has been primarily extracted from satellite readings. Deviations from exact values may occur, particularly regarding the height of elevations and population density. Land area and coastline measurements refer to average values at mean high tide.
