Fèlix Cardona i Puig facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fèlix Cardona i Puig
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| Born | February 3, 1903 Malgrat de Mar, Maresme
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| Died | December 5, 1982 (aged 79) |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Occupation | Pilot, explorer of South America |
| Known for | Made several expeditions across the Venezuelan Guyana |
| Spouse(s) | Carlot Votti |
Fèlix Cardona i Puig (born February 3, 1903, in Malgrat de Mar, Spain – died December 5, 1982, in Caracas, Venezuela) was a brave Spanish explorer. He is famous for his many trips across the wild lands of Venezuelan Guyana. He was also a pilot and helped map parts of South America.
Contents
Fèlix Cardona's Amazing Adventures
Early Life and Journey to Venezuela
Fèlix Cardona grew up in Spain. His parents were Fèlix Cardona i Paradeda and Josefa Puig i Comas. He went to a boarding school called Collell. Later, he studied at the Nautical School in Barcelona, finishing in 1922.
After a practice trip on a ship, he decided to stay in Venezuela. He was very interested in exploring new places. He briefly returned to Spain to start a textile factory. But he soon moved back to Venezuela for new opportunities.
Discovering Angel Falls
Cardona went on many expeditions, spending a lot of time with the native people. With his friend Joan Maria Mundó i Freixas, he planned a big trip. They started in San Pedro de las Bocas, following the Caroni and Caruao rivers.
Their journey led them to the huge flat-topped mountain called Auyán-tepui. There, they discovered a giant waterfall! This waterfall is now known as Angel Falls. It was named after Jimmie Angel, an American pilot. However, the local people called it Churun Merú.
Studying Languages and Plants
During the 1930s and 1940s, Cardona wrote down notes about different native languages in Venezuela. These included Arutani, Sapé, and Saliban languages. Many of his notes are still kept in the Malgrat de Mar Municipal Archives in Spain.
On January 25, 1932, Cardona married Carlot Votti, who was from Germany.
In 1937, Cardona flew with Jimmie Angel over the Churún Merú waterfall. Angel later tried to land his plane on top of the mountain. He crashed the plane but survived! Cardona, who had stayed at the base camp, came to rescue him.
In 1946, Cardona was named a Botanic Explorer. This was by the Direction of Borders of the Ministry of Inner Relations of Venezuela. Many plants and even some animals are named after him. This is because he was the first to discover them. He also helped create maps of Venezuela. He made several important discoveries, including the famous Angel Falls.
Fèlix Cardona passed away in Caracas in 1982.
See also
