Punta Dúngeness facts for kids
Punta Dúngeness is a special piece of land that sticks out into the ocean. It's located at the eastern entrance of the Strait of Magellan. This strait is a natural waterway that connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean at the very bottom of South America. Punta Dúngeness is on the north side of this entrance.
Right across from Punta Dúngeness, on the other side of the strait, is a place called Cabo del Espiritu Santo in Tierra del Fuego. These two points are very important because they mark the border between two countries: Chile and Argentina. A special agreement, called the Treaty of Peace and Friendship from 1984, says that the line between Punta Dúngeness and Cabo del Espiritu Santo shows where each country's ocean waters begin. It also marks the official border between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
Punta Dúngeness is the southernmost point on the mainland of Argentina. It's also the easternmost point on the mainland of Chile. This is the only place where the Atlantic Ocean touches the mainland shores of Chile. You can even see a lighthouse on the Chilean side of Punta Dúngeness, helping ships navigate the waters.
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Where is Punta Dúngeness?
Punta Dúngeness is a headland, which means it's a narrow piece of land that extends out into a sea or lake. It's found at the very tip of South America. To its west, there's a bay called Bahía Posesión. This area is known for its strong winds and unique wildlife.
How Punta Dúngeness Got Its Name
This headland was named a long time ago, on December 17, 1766. An English sailor named Samuel Wallis gave it the name. He thought it looked a lot like another headland back in England, called Dungeness. So, he decided to give this new place the same name.
Weather at Punta Dúngeness
The weather at Punta Dúngeness is generally cool and windy throughout the year. Summers are mild, with average temperatures around 11 to 15 degrees Celsius (52 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit). Winters are cold, with average temperatures around 3 to 5 degrees Celsius (37 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit), and can sometimes drop close to freezing.
It doesn't rain a lot here. The area gets about 250 millimeters (10 inches) of rain each year, which is not much. The air is often quite humid, meaning there's a lot of moisture in the air. The strong winds are a common feature of this part of the world.
See also
In Spanish: Punta Dungeness para niños
