Punta Gallinas facts for kids

The lighthouse at Punta Gallinas.

A map showing the area around Punta Gallinas.

Punta Gallinas is at the very top of this satellite image.

Punta Gallinas is a special place in northern Colombia. It is the most northern point on the mainland of South America. This means it's the "top" of the continent! It is also known as Cape Gallinas, which means "Cape Hens."

Where is Punta Gallinas?

Punta Gallinas is located in the northern part of the La Guajira Department in Colombia. It sits right on the coast of the Caribbean Sea.

This cape is at the very tip of the Guajira Peninsula. It is part of a town called Uribia. Punta Gallinas is about 150 kilometers (93 miles) northeast of a city called Riohacha.

History of Punta Gallinas

The area around Punta Gallinas has been home to the Wayuu people for a very long time. They are an indigenous group who have lived there for many centuries.

Punta Gallinas is also where you can find the most northern lighthouse in South America. This lighthouse is called Faro de Punta Gallinas. It is 18 meters (59 feet) tall and started working in 1989. Lighthouses help guide ships safely along the coast.

See also

• Punta Gallinas para niños (in Spanish)