Masatierra Coast

Masatierra is a mountainous volcanic island in the Juan Fernández archipelago, far west of Chile. Its coves and fresh water made it a welcome landfall for sailors crossing the Pacific. In 1704 the Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk was put ashore here after a quarrel with his captain. He lived alone for more than four years, surviving on the island’s resources until rescued in 1709. His experience helped inspire Daniel Defoe’s tale of Robinson Crusoe.