Punta Gallinas

Punta Gallinas (Cape Gallinas, "Cape Hens") is a headland in northern Colombia. It is the northernmost point on the mainland of South America, and one of the extreme points of South America.[1]

Lighthouse of Punta Gallinas
Overview map.
Punta Gallinas at top of satellite picture.

Geography

Punta Gallinas is situated in the northern part of the department of La Guajira, on the coast of the Caribbean Sea.

The cape is at the northern tip of the Guajira Peninsula (Península de la Guajira) in the municipality of Uribia, about 150 km (95 mi) northeast of Riohacha.

History

The area has been populated by the indigenous Wayuu people for a long time.

The headland is also the location of the northernmost lighthouse in South America, the 18 m (59 ft) high Faro de Punta Gallinas, which opened in 1989.[2]

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-12-04. Retrieved 2010-10-10.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link), TurisColombia; La Guajira, accessdate=2010-10-10
  2. , The Lighthouse Directory; Lighthouses of Colombia, accessdate=2010-10-10
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