The human history of the waters surrounding the Salas y Gómez and Nazca ridges is rich and culturally diverse. This ranges from indigenous cultures who first ventured to this remote region close to a thousand years ago to the period of European colonial exploration, as well as the rise of the modern global economy. Voyaging, fishing, and the transportation of commodities across these remote waters left signs of the human history of exploration and exploitation. A deep understanding of this rich history is critical to effectively managing its marine resources, since natural and cultural resources are intrinsically intertwined in many cultures. While most of the Salas y Gómez and Nazca ridges are located in areas beyond national jurisdiction, there has been recent interest to protect this remote region by governments, intergovernmental organizations, and the scientific community. This study provides a synthesis of the maritime heritage and cultural resources of the Salas y Gómez and Nazca ridges in order to guide future conservation, management, scientific, and public outreach efforts in this region.
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