Resumen:
This article analyzes, based on the information in the newspaper El Magallanes of Punta Arenas and other publications, the perception that was created among the population of this southern Chilean city by the Antarctic expedition of between 1897 and 1899 and the activities carried out by the scientists and crew of the Belgique commanded by Lieutenant Adrien de Gerlache. Due to the fact that this expedition was made up of people from various nations and that it was aimed at reaching the South Pole provoked unusual interest and awoke an attractive interest for scientific topics and southern and antarctic policies.