Punta Carnero Lighthouse facts for kids
Location | Algeciras Andalusia Spain |
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Coordinates | 36°04′37.72″N 5°25′34.46″W / 36.0771444°N 5.4262389°W |
Year first constructed | 1874 |
Construction | cut stone tower |
Tower shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern attached to 1-storey keeper’s house |
Markings / pattern | unpainted stone tower, grey lantern |
Height | 19 metres (62 ft) |
Focal height | 42 metres (138 ft) |
Characteristic | Fl (4) WR 20s. |
Fog signal | “K” every 30s. |
Spain number | ES-20110 |
The Punta Carnero Lighthouse (which means Faro de Punta Carnero in Spanish) is an active lighthouse. It stands tall on a piece of land called Punta Carnero. This spot is located south of the city of Algeciras in Spain.
This lighthouse is very important because it helps ships navigate. It watches over the Strait of Gibraltar, a busy waterway connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
Contents
What is a Lighthouse?
A lighthouse is like a tall tower with a bright light at the top. Its main job is to guide ships and boats. Lighthouses help sailors find their way, especially at night or in bad weather. They warn ships about dangerous coastlines or shallow waters.
Lighthouses use powerful lights that flash in a special pattern. This pattern is like a secret code that tells sailors which lighthouse they are seeing.
History of Punta Carnero Lighthouse
When Was It Built?
The Punta Carnero Lighthouse was finished and opened in the year 1874. That makes it over 150 years old! It has been helping ships for a very long time.
Who Designed It?
A talented person named Jaime Font designed this lighthouse. He was also the designer for another famous lighthouse in Spain, the Chipiona Lighthouse.
What Does It Look Like?
The Punta Carnero Lighthouse has a unique look.
- It has a round (cylindrical) tower.
- There's a balcony near the top.
- The light (lantern) sits right on top of the tower.
- The tower is attached to a one-story house. This house used to be where the lighthouse keeper lived and worked.
- The tower is made of stone and is not painted. The top part where the light is, called the lantern, is grey.
How Tall Is It?
The tower itself is about 19 meters (62 feet) tall. But the light is actually 42 meters (138 feet) above the sea. This height helps its light shine far across the water.
How Does the Light Work?
The light from Punta Carnero Lighthouse flashes in a specific way. It shows four flashes of white and red light every 20 seconds. This unique pattern helps sailors know it's the Punta Carnero Lighthouse.
What About Fog?
When it's foggy, lighthouses often have a special sound signal. The Punta Carnero Lighthouse has a fog signal that makes a "K" sound every 30 seconds. This helps ships hear the lighthouse even when they can't see its light.
Where Is It Located?
The lighthouse is in a beautiful and important location. It stands on a headland that sticks out into the sea, giving it a great view of the Strait of Gibraltar. This strait is a narrow passage of water that separates Spain from Africa. Many ships pass through here every day.
See also
In Spanish: Faro de Punta Carnero para niños