Cerro Punta, Chiriquí facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cerro Punta
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Corregimiento
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 Cerro Punta
Location in Panama
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| Country |  Panama |
| Province | Chiriquí |
| District | Tierras Altas |
| Area | |
| • Land | 105.1 km2 (40.6 sq mi) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 7,754 |
| • Density | 73.8/km2 (191/sq mi) |
| Population density calculated based on land area. | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| Climate | Cwb |
Cerro Punta is a cool town in Panama, located high up in the mountains of the Chiriquí Province. It's about 6,500 feet (2,000 meters) above sea level, which makes it much cooler than other parts of Panama! Many people living here are Native Americans. The weather is mostly tropical, with a long rainy season and a short dry season. Even though it's tropical, the nights can be quite chilly because it's so high up. Years ago, people grew lots of strawberries and vegetables here. You can get to Cerro Punta by heading north from the main Pan-American highway.
Contents
What's in a Name? The Story of Cerro Punta
Cerro Punta gets its name from a tall hill. This hill is the highest point in the village, reaching about 2,300 meters (7,500 feet) high. A poet named Caval Beatriz Miranda, who used to teach in Cerro Punta, gave the town its original name, "Cerro de Punta." In the 1940s, when people were choosing a name for the town, she said, "Cerro Punta, your name is written in your mountains."
Exploring the Geography of Cerro Punta
Cerro Punta has a very interesting landscape. It has rugged hills and small flat areas where most people live. Outside the main town, houses are spread out, and the land around them is used for farming.
Panama's Mountainous Region
Chiriquí is the most mountainous province in Panama. Cerro Punta is the highest town in Chiriquí, with elevations ranging from 2,000 to 2,200 meters (6,500 to 7,200 feet).
Cerro Punta's Unique Climate
Even though it's in a tropical rainforest area, Cerro Punta is much cooler because of its high elevation. It gets at least 60mm (more than 2 inches) of rain every month.
Temperatures and Weather Patterns
The temperature in Cerro Punta usually ranges from about 14°C (57°F) in January to 32°C (90°F) in April. On the coldest days, it can drop to -1°C (30°F), but temperatures above 37°C (99°F) are very rare. Winds are usually light, but they get stronger during the dry season, which is from late December to early April.
Rainy Season and Hailstorms
The rainy season in Cerro Punta lasts from late April until mid-December. The most rain falls in September, October, and November. Most of the rain happens in the afternoon. Sometimes, hailstorms can occur, which can damage crops like peas, beans, strawberries, and potatoes.
Villages Within Cerro Punta
Cerro Punta is made up of several smaller villages. These include Guadalupe, Bajo Grande, Entre Ríos, Las Nubes, La Garita, Barrio del Bajito, Las Miranda, Barrio 6, El Pueblo, Las Cumbres, Alto Pineda, El Barrio de la Chacha, and Nueva Suiza. All these villages are located above 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) in elevation.
Who Lives in Cerro Punta?
Cerro Punta covers an area of about 105.1 square kilometers (40.6 square miles). In 2010, about 7,754 people lived there. This means there were about 73.8 people per square kilometer. In 1990, the population was 5,682, and in 2000, it grew to 6,860.
Most of the people in Cerro Punta are a mix of white and mestizo (people of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry), making up about 60% of the population. About 30% are Indigenous people, and 10% are from other countries.
The Economy of Cerro Punta
The main way people in Cerro Punta make a living is through farming. The land here is very fertile because it's on the slopes of a volcano that is not active anymore. The cool and moist weather from the high elevation also helps. This special climate allows farmers to grow crops that wouldn't grow well in other parts of Panama.
Tourism in Cerro Punta
In recent years, tourism has become another important way for people to earn money. Cerro Punta has a cool climate, which is unusual for a tropical region. This makes it a popular spot for both Panamanians and international tourists. People love to visit to enjoy the change in weather and see different kinds of plants and animals.
Fun Activities for Visitors
The highest part of Cerro Punta is the village of Guadalupe, which is 2,197 meters (7,208 feet) high. Farming is still very important here, but more and more people are coming for "agrotourism" (visiting farms) and "ecotourism" (enjoying nature). Many visitors explore the Parque Internacional La Amistad, a huge park shared by Panama and Costa Rica, to see its amazing plants and wildlife. Hiking and river rafting are also popular activities.
Horse Farms and Sports
You might also find horse farms in this area. The cooler temperatures and high elevation (which means less oxygen in the air) help racehorses develop stronger lungs. This can help them do better in international competitions!
See also
In Spanish: Cerro Punta para niños
