Recalada a Bahía Blanca Light facts for kids
| Location | Monte Hermoso Argentina |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 38°59′26.74″S 61°15′35.85″W / 38.9907611°S 61.2599583°W |
| Year first constructed | 1906 |
| Construction | cast iron |
| Tower shape | octagonal pyramidal skeletal tower with central cylinder |
| Markings / pattern | red and white horizontal bands |
| Height | 220 feet (67 m) |
| Focal height | 245 feet (75 m) |
| Range | 28 nautical miles (52 km; 32 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 9 s. |
The Recalada a Bahía Blanca Light is a very important lighthouse in Argentina. It is also called the Monte Hermoso Light or just Recalada Light. This name means 'landfall' in Spanish. A lighthouse helps ships find their way. This one guides them into the Bahía Blanca bay. It stands in Monte Hermoso, in the Buenos Aires Province.
This lighthouse is very tall. It is about 220 feet (67 meters) high. This makes it one of the tallest lighthouses in the world. It is also the tallest lighthouse in the Southern Hemisphere. Plus, it is the tallest metal lighthouse built in a special open-frame style.
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Building the Recalada Lighthouse
The parts for this amazing lighthouse were made in France. The same company that built the famous Eiffel Tower also made the pieces for this lighthouse. This shows how strong and well-made it is.
The lighthouse first shone its light on January 1, 1906. It has been helping ships for over 100 years!
How the Light Has Changed
Over the years, the lighthouse's light has been updated.
- In 1928, a special type of light called a Dalén light was put in. This light used gas and was very bright.
- Later, in 1974, the light was changed to an electric one. This made it even more powerful and reliable.
- On January 1, 2006, a new system was added. It is called an Automatic Identification System (AIS) beacon. This system helps ships and the lighthouse share information.
How the Lighthouse Is Built
The Recalada Lighthouse has a strong design. It has a main iron tube in the middle. This tube is about 1.5 meters (5 feet) wide. Around this central tube, there are eight strong cast-iron columns. These columns give the lighthouse its unique open-frame look. To reach the top, there are 331 steps inside the tower.
Visiting the Lighthouse
The lighthouse is still used by people today. You can even visit it! Guided tours are available. This means you can learn all about its history and how it works. It is a great way to see a piece of history and learn about how lighthouses help keep people safe at sea.
See also
- List of tallest lighthouses in the world
- List of lighthouses in Argentina
- In Spanish: Faro Recalada a Bahía Blanca para niños
