Cape Palos facts for kids

Satellite view of the Mar Menor, Cartagena, and Cape Palos.

Cape Palos (which means "Cape of Lagoons" in Spanish) is a piece of land that sticks out into the Mediterranean Sea. It's located in Spain, near the city of Cartagena in the Murcia region. This cape is actually part of a small chain of volcanic hills.

These hills also form some nearby islands. These include Grosa Island and the Hormigas Islands. Even some islands inside the Mar Menor (which means "Little Sea") are part of this volcanic group. The name "Palos" comes from an old Latin word meaning 'lagoon'. This name refers to the Mar Menor, a large saltwater lagoon nearby.

A Look Back in Time

Long ago, ancient writers like Pliny the Elder wrote about Cape Palos. They said there was a temple on the cape dedicated to an old god called Baal Hammon. Later, people worshipped a god named Saturn there.

Much later, during the time of King Philip II of Spain, a watchtower was built on the cape. This tower helped protect the area from Barbary Pirates who sailed the seas.

Cape Palos has also been the site of several important naval battles. These include:

• The Battle of Cape Palos in 1591 during a war between England and Spain.
• Another battle in 1758 during conflicts between Spain and the Barbary states.
• A battle in 1815 during the Second Barbary War.
• The Battle of Cape Palos (1938) in 1938, which was a major naval battle during the Spanish Civil War.

Lighthouse and Marine Reserve

The Cape Palos Lighthouse is a famous landmark on the cape. It started guiding ships on January 31, 1865. This tall lighthouse has been a beacon of safety for over 150 years.

Today, Cape Palos is also a special protected area. It's part of a marine reserve called the Reserva Marina de Cabo de Palos e Islas Hormigas. This reserve helps protect the amazing sea life and underwater habitats around the cape and the Hormigas Islands. It's a great place for diving and seeing marine animals.

Images for kids

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  Cape Palos Lighthouse [es]

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  Lighthouse at night

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  Hormiga Island Beacon [es] (white)

See also

In Spanish: Cabo de Palos para niños