Île Tamara Lighthouse facts for kids
| Location | Îles de Los, Conakry Guinea |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 9°27′29″N 13°50′01″W / 9.457960°N 13.833648°W |
| Year first constructed | 1906 |
| Construction | masonry tower |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | white tower, red balcony and lantern |
| Height | 10 metres (33 ft) |
| Focal height | 95 metres (312 ft) |
| Range | 26 nautical miles (48 km; 30 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 5s. |
The Île Tamara Lighthouse is an important lighthouse located in Guinea, a country in West Africa. It stands on Île Tamara, which is the outermost island of the Îles de Los. This lighthouse has been guiding ships safely since it was built in 1906.
Lighthouses are like giant beacons that help ships find their way. They send out strong lights to warn sailors about dangerous coastlines or to show them the way to a harbor. The Île Tamara Lighthouse is especially important because it acts as a "landfall light" for Conakry. This means it's the first light sailors see when they are approaching Conakry from the sea.
Building the Lighthouse
The Île Tamara Lighthouse was built in 1906. It is made from strong stone, called masonry. The tower itself is shaped like a cylinder, which is a round tube. It has a balcony and a lantern room at the top. The tower is painted white, while the balcony and the lantern room are red. This color combination helps ships spot it easily during the day.
A Lighthouse on a Boulder
Even though the lighthouse tower is only about 10 metres (33 ft) tall, its light shines from much higher up. This is because it was built on top of a very large boulder. Imagine building a tall tower on top of a big rock! Because of this clever placement, the light's "focal plane" is about 95 metres (312 ft) above sea level. The focal plane is the height of the light source itself. This high position allows the light to be seen from far away, up to 26 nautical miles (48 km; 30 mi) (nautical miles) out at sea.
Why Lighthouses are Important
Lighthouses like the Île Tamara Lighthouse play a vital role in maritime safety. They help prevent shipwrecks by guiding vessels away from dangerous rocks or shallow waters. They also help ships navigate to their destinations, especially at night or in bad weather. For centuries, lighthouses have been silent guardians of the sea, protecting sailors and their cargo.
See also
In Spanish: Faro de Tamara para niños
