Buenavista Lighthouse facts for kids
| Location | Buenavista del Norte Tenerife Canary Islands Spain |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 28°23′28″N 16°50′11″W / 28.3911°N 16.8365°W |
| Year first constructed | 1990 |
| Construction | concrete tower |
| Tower shape | tower with external spiral staircase |
| Markings / pattern | white tower |
| Height | 41 metres (135 ft) |
| Focal height | 77 metres (253 ft) |
| Range | 20 nautical miles (37 km; 23 mi) |
| Spain number | ES-12925 |
The Buenavista Lighthouse (Spanish: Faro de Buenavista) is an active lighthouse located in Buenavista del Norte. This town is on the northern coast of Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands in Spain. It is also known as the Punta de Buenavista lighthouse.
This modern lighthouse has a very unique shape. Some people say it looks like a corkscrew! It stands on a piece of land that sticks out into the sea. This spot is between the towns of Buenavista del Norte and Los Silos. The Buenavista Lighthouse is one of seven important lighthouses that guide ships along the coast of Tenerife. It is located between the Punta de Teno to the southwest and the Puerto de la Cruz to the northeast.
Contents
The Buenavista Lighthouse was finished in 1990. It was built as part of a plan from the 1980s to add new lights in the Canary Islands. This plan aimed to make sea travel safer. Other lighthouses built around the same time include those at Punta del Hidalgo and Puerto de la Cruz on Tenerife. Also, Castilette on Gran Canaria, and Arenas Blancas and Punta Lava on La Palma.
The lighthouse has a very special design. It is made of two concrete towers that rise from a single base. The tower facing the land is square. The tower facing the sea has a spiral staircase on the outside. This staircase is open to the weather. It leads up to the top of the tower.
At the top, there is a room for the light and walkways. The tower is about 40.5 meters (133 feet) tall. The light itself is 77 meters (253 feet) above sea level. This height helps the light shine far across the ocean.
How far can the light be seen?
The light from the Buenavista Lighthouse can be seen for 20 nautical miles. A nautical mile is a unit of distance used at sea. This means the light can be spotted by ships from about 37 kilometers (23 miles) away. The light flashes white four times every eleven seconds. This special pattern helps sailors know which lighthouse they are seeing.
Who takes care of the lighthouse?
The lighthouse is looked after by the Port authority of the Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. They make sure the light is always working. This helps keep ships safe as they travel near the coast of Tenerife.
See also
In Spanish: Faro de Buenavista para niños
- List of lighthouses in Spain
- List of lighthouses in the Canary Islands
