Puerto Obaldía facts for kids
| Location | Puerto Obaldía Guna Yala Panama |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 8°40′01.7″N 77°25′14.3″W / 8.667139°N 77.420639°W |
| Foundation | concrete base |
| Construction | metal skeletal tower |
| Tower shape | square pyramidal skeletal tower with balcony and light</ref> |
| Markings / pattern | white tower |
| Height | 12 metres (39 ft) |
| Focal height | 12 metres (39 ft) |
| Range | 8 nautical miles (15 km; 9.2 mi) |
| Characteristic | L Fl W 10s. |
Puerto Obaldía is a small town in Panama. It is located in the Guna Yala region, which is home to the Guna indigenous people. This town is special because it is the easternmost part of Panama, right on the border with Colombia.
Puerto Obaldía is a mainland area. It does not include any islands. Even though it's small, it plays an important role in Panama's border control.
Contents
Getting to Puerto Obaldía
Puerto Obaldía is quite isolated. There are no roads that connect it to other parts of Panama. This means you cannot drive there by car.
The main way to reach Puerto Obaldía is by air. It has a small airport with flights scheduled regularly. People also travel by boat. Boats connect Puerto Obaldía with Acandí, a town on the Colombian side of the border.
People and Settlements
In the year 2000, a census counted the population of Puerto Obaldía. There were 672 people living in the area. Most of these people, 533 of them, lived in the main town of Puerto Obaldía itself.
Besides the main town, there are a few smaller settlements nearby:
- La Miel: This village had 80 people. It is located very close to the Colombian border.
- La Boca: This settlement had 31 residents.
- Playa Blanca: This small community had 28 people.
What People Do There
The main job in Puerto Obaldía is related to the border. People work for Panamanian border and customs control. They help manage who enters and leaves Panama at this point.
Because it is so close to Colombia, Puerto Obaldía is an important crossing point. It is only about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the Colombian border. This makes it a key location for trade and travel between the two countries.
The Puerto Obaldía Lighthouse
Puerto Obaldía is also home to a lighthouse. Lighthouses are tall towers with bright lights. They help guide ships and boats safely, especially at night or in bad weather.
The lighthouse in Puerto Obaldía is a metal tower. It is shaped like a square pyramid. It stands about 12 meters (39 feet) tall. The light from the lighthouse can be seen from about 8 nautical miles (15 kilometers) away. It flashes white every 10 seconds, helping sailors know where they are.
See also
In Spanish: Puerto Obaldía para niños
