Cabo Gracias a Dios facts for kids

Seen from space

Cabo Gracias a Dios is a special piece of land that sticks out into the sea, like a finger pointing into the Caribbean Sea. It's located right in the middle of the eastern coast of Central America. This area is also known as the Mosquito Coast or La Mosquitia.

This cape is super important because it's where the Rio Coco river meets the Caribbean Sea. It also marks the border between two countries: Nicaragua (specifically its North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region) and Honduras (its Gracias a Dios area).

The exact spot for the Honduras–Nicaragua border at the cape was officially decided by King Alfonso XIII of Spain in 1906. Later, in 1960, the International Court of Justice confirmed this decision. The very end point of the border here is at 14°59.8'N and 83°08.9'W.

The name "Cabo Gracias a Dios" is Spanish for "Cape Thank God." The story goes that Christopher Columbus gave it this name during his last trip in 1502. He was sailing through a really bad storm when he rounded this cape, and suddenly the weather became calm. He was so relieved that he supposedly said, "Thank God we have come out from those depths!" This phrase is also believed to be how Honduras got its name, as "Honduras" means 'depths' in Spanish. So, both the cape and the country were named at that very moment.

Geography

Cabo Gracias a Dios is a coastal landform, meaning it's shaped by the sea. It's a significant point on the map of Central America.

Climate

The climate at Cabo Gracias a Dios is generally warm and humid, typical of a tropical coastal area. It receives a lot of rain throughout the year, especially during certain months. The temperatures stay quite high, making it a warm place to visit.

See also

In Spanish: Cabo Gracias a Dios para niños