The Magellanic subpolar forests ecoregion lies to the west of the Andes Mountains, which run north-south for most of their length but curve eastward near the southern tip of South America, terminating at the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego.

To the east lie the drier temperate grasslands and shrublands ecoregions of Patagonia, which are in the rain shadow of the Andean and Fuegian mountains.

High rainfall of 5,000 mm/a (197 in/a) is typical of the moorland, as are cool temperatures, strong winds, bad drainage conditions, and rocky ground with generally thin soil.

In more sheltered areas, small stands of evergreen forest can be found, which include Nothofagus betuloides, Drimys winteri, Lepidothamnus fonkii, and Pilgerodendron uviferum.

The Magellanic rainforest is mostly made up Nothofagus betuloides, together with other evergreen trees, most often Drimys winteri and Pilgerodendron uviferum, and occasionally Embothrium coccineum and Maytenus magellanica.

In open spaces some succulent fruits can be found: Chilean strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis), and calafate (Berberis microphylla); they used to complement the nourishment of the (now almost nonexistent) native peoples.

[3] The Magellanic subpolar forests are home to the southern pudú (Pudu puda), the world's smallest deer, which stands only 35–45 cm (14–18 inches) high at the shoulder.

The rich Magellanic coastal waters and numerous rocky islets host many seabirds, including albatrosses, auks, gulls, terns, and penguins.