What is the most extreme southern point of South America?

It would seem that from the moment when the Santa Maria shouted "Earth!" On the ship, it took a very long time. Today, the continent of South America no longer looks as mysterious as before. But this does not mean that its history and geography should not be interested. Although now the history of the continent will not have a conversation. We'll just figure out what the southernmost point of South America is called and what place is considered the most northern on the mainland. And let's talk about the western and eastern points of this continent.

General information

In the western hemisphere of the Earth is the fourth largest continent, which is called South America. The total area of the continent is 17.7 million km². With all the islands, the area is somewhat larger - 18.28 million km². On the west coast of South America beats the Pacific Ocean, and from the east the Atlantic rushes. The northern part of the continent is bounded by the Caribbean Sea. Here passes the Panama isthmus, connecting South America with the North. Well, now more about the coordinates of the extreme points of South America.

Coordinates of extreme points

If you go through South America on a straight road from the north to the south, then its length will be 7,350 km. The same road in a straight line from the west to the east coast along the broadest part of the continent will stretch more than 5 thousand km. The extreme points of the continent of South America are:

• The northern ledge is Cape Galinas (12 ° 27 'north wide and 71 ° 39' west);
• In the southern mainland, Cape Frowward (53 ° 54 'south wide and 71 ° 18' west longitude);
• In the southern island part, Cape Horn (55 ° 59 'south wide and 67 ° 17' west);
• In the western part, cape Parinhas (4 ° 40 'south wide and 81 ° 20' west);
• With the eastern point there was confusion - the cape of Cabo Branca (7 ° 09'SW 34 ° 46 °) or Cape Seixas (34 ° 47 west of the debt).

Now that you know the coordinates of the extreme points of South America, it's worth telling what you can see in these places. Maybe this information will be useful.

Cape Galinas

The northernmost point of South America is in Colombia at Cape Galinas. This is part of the Guajira Peninsula. The name of the cape was given by the Spaniards. In translation it means "chicken". Why Spaniards? The fact is that the northern coast of the mainland, including Cape Galinas, was opened by the Spanish expedition of Alonso Aheda, to which Amerigo Vespucci was a participant. Unlike the extreme southern point of South America, the northern is conditional. On the peninsula, the shore line is smooth, there are no sharp bends on it.

Approximately in place of the northernmost point in 1989 a lighthouse was built. This is a simple metal construction that does not attract tourists. But a little aside from this point there is an interesting settlement. Here lives a small Indian community of Vayu.

Cape Frowward

Mentally we will transfer to the Peninsula of Brunswick, which is the coastal part of the strait, named after the great seafarer Fernand Magellan. Here is the mainland extreme south point of South America. Cape Frowward is translated from English as "recalcitrant", "self-willed", "unfavorable". For the first time this name arose in 1587, it was invented by an Englishman - sea robber Thomas Cavendish. Already from the very name of the cape it is clear that passing it to the ships is quite difficult.

The extreme southern point of South America is located on the territory of Chile. In 1987, there was installed a memorable metal sign in the form of a huge three-dimensional cross.

Cape Parinyas

The extreme western point of South America lies in the territory of Peru. Cape Parinhas is the lowest point of the shore on which the lighthouse operates. The nearest settlement is more than 5 km away. A little to the south of the extreme point is a remarkable bay of seals where you can observe these pinniped animals in natural conditions.

The Europeans, or rather the Spaniards, discovered the cape in 1527. The honor of the discovery belongs to the expedition of Francisco Pissarro.

A little confusion with the eastern point

The easternmost point of the continent lies on the territory of Brazil. For a long time it was believed that this is the cape of Cabo Branco, that is, the "white cape". Here was built a beautiful lighthouse with a memorable sign. Nearby, literally eight kilometers away, is the city of Joao Pessoa. Initially, the cape was given the name San Augustine. The honor of the opening belongs to the Spanish team led by Diego Lepe. It happened in 1500. But here's an ill luck, it was later definitely established that the easternmost point is the neighboring cape Seishas.

Both points are near. The distance between them is about 500 m, in fact they are part of the territory of the nearby city (João Pessoa). Seyshas is a high rock pushed into the sea. The height of this place is about 100 m. Around sandy beaches.