Discovery of the extreme point of Africa, the Cape of Good Hope. Life is an adventure
The Cape of Good Hope on the map of Africa can be found in the south of the continent. It is not an iconic geographical point noted in textbooks and nautical sailing guides. But the discovery of a strip of land located on the way from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean was as dramatic as the voyages of Magellan or.
Geographical component of the discovery
Now this is the territory of the sovereign state of South Africa, the city of Cape Town is located near the Cape of Good Hope, and the coordinates are 34°21′32″ S. w. 18°28′21″ E. etc., can be easily found in geographical publications.
A modern ship travels from Lisbon to Cape Town in a few days, but many centuries ago, during the time of geographical discoveries, the journey lasted 10 long months...
Colonial expansion of Portugal
By the end of the 15th century, Portugal had become a strong maritime power. The kingdom managed to avoid feudal strife and conflicts with church authorities, and the country's resources were directed toward maritime expansion into the Atlantic.
This course was forced. The greatest benefit came from trade in two directions:
- with India and Central Asia;
- with England and the German states.
Mediterranean trade was taken over by the Venetian merchants and Genoese, the sea communications of the Baltic and the North Sea were firmly held by the Hanseatic League, and the young state had no other point of application of strength.
Prince Henry, later nicknamed the Navigator (although he himself did not lead any expeditions), modernized the shipbuilding industry, ensured the functioning of the personnel training system, and provided the Portuguese naval forces with advanced technical equipment.
Slave trade
In the middle of the 15th century, the kingdom's fleet made sea voyages to the Atlantic, where the Azores, Madeira and Cape Verde Islands were discovered and annexed to the Portuguese crown. These actions served as a good school of navigation and behavior in extreme, for Europeans, tropical climate conditions. Using the captured islands as a base for the fleet, Henry the Navigator sent one expedition after another to the African shores.
The ships sailed further and further south. As they advanced, fortresses and naval bases were founded, and a hunt was conducted for blacks, who were actively traded by Lisbon merchants. The income from the slave trade was enormous. In 1482, the Portuguese captured the territory in the Gulf of Guinea, which became the possession of the king. This place was called Jorgio da Mina (Mine of St. George), or Mina for short.
Already by 1485, the Congo region had been explored, and Diogo Can (the one who opened the pre-feudal state formation in the basin of this river for trade) reached South-West Africa in the region of 20 degrees south latitude.
Expedition to the Far South
In the summer of 1487, King John II equipped another expedition to the African shores: in the direction of the coastal zone where the Cape of Good Hope is located. It included two military ships armed with cannons and a transport ship with supplies. The ships were small - with a displacement of approximately 50 tons and a simple sailing rig.
The event was led by Bartolomeu Dias (Dias), an experienced sailor who had previously participated in the exploration of the Atlantic coast of Africa.
Diaz's expedition set off along the established routes, through the Cape Verde Islands to Fort St. George. Having replenished supplies, the small flotilla moved further south. The ships crossed and reached the coast of modern Namibia.
The desolate, rocky terrain was a stark contrast to Guinea and Equatorial Africa.
Attention! The navigators installed a padran (a sign in the form of a pillar on which the coat of arms of Portugal, the name of the king and the details of the discoverer are carved).
Moving south, in the direction where the Cape of Good Hope is located, they reached a coordinate of 33 degrees south latitude.
These lands were of no interest to the colonialists. They were poorly populated, and the Portuguese needed “live goods.” The natives of the Gulf of Guinea and Congo already felt the iron grip of the Europeans. Unable to withstand their weapons, the population abandoned the coastal areas, moving inland. In search of “ebony” (as Christian merchants called black slaves), ships went south.
Opening of the sea route to India
In the Gulf of St. Helena, where Cape Town is located today (a port near the Cape of Good Hope), the flotilla was overtaken by a storm. The storm carried the ships into the open; the transport ship fell behind even earlier. When the wind died down, Diaz turned east and led the flotilla in that direction for several days. Africa still did not show up. Bartolomeu Diaz decided that its southern tip had been passed, which is why he ordered to turn north.
On February 3, 1488, the sailors finally saw the tops of the mountains, and soon the green coast appeared. Having landed, the Portuguese skirmished with the natives, one of whom was shot by Diaz himself with a crossbow.
Continuing to move east, the Portuguese reached a wide bay, the shore of which gently curved to the northeast. Diaz realized that he had entered the Indian Ocean.
Attention! It is not known for certain what further plans the sailors had.
Presumably, they could have faced the following tasks:
- Exploration of the coast beyond the South Tropic.
- Identification of places where slave trade is possible.
- Paving the way for maritime trade with India.
But the crews of both ships, tired of the long journey, demanded to return to Lisbon.
Fearing a riot, Diaz ordered a turn.
Walking along the coast, the ships came across a long strip of land protruding far into the sea.
Bartolomeo Diaz named it Cape Tormentozu (Stormy), remembering the storm that almost sank his ships here.
Landing at the Cape of Good Hope
The exact date when the Cape of Good Hope was discovered is unknown. This probably happened in February 1488. The expedition set off on the return journey, reaching its native shores only in December.
Attention! In Lisbon, John II received a report on the results of the voyage and ordered to rename Cape Tormentozo to the Cape of Good Hope.
The results of the long voyage really gave the kingdom hope that the route to India would be open where the Cape of Good Hope was located, and Portugal would have considerable advantages in ocean trade.
There is no evidence that Bartolomeu Dias received any reward from the monarch.
The only thing the sailor who was the first to reach the Cape of Good Hope could console himself with was a sign on a deserted piece of land, where under the coat of arms his name was carved in stone: the third padran, during the voyage, was installed on the cape.
Dias Bartolomeu
The Amazing Cape of Good Hope
Conclusion
For more than five centuries, the cape was controlled by Portuguese merchants, Dutch settlers (Boers), and British colonialists. In 1961, the colony (Union of South Africa) gained independence. And 30 years later, the English influence was finally put to rest by Nelson Mandela. For a long time, the cape bore the honorary title of the southernmost point of the “black”, but then it passed to Cape Agulhas, which is located a little further in the southeast.
This is interesting! History of Travel: Ages of Discovery
The Cape of Good Hope is located on the Cape Peninsula south of one of the largest cities in South Africa. Once upon a time it had the name Cape of Storms and this is quite justified. After all, strong currents, storms, winds and fog are inseparable companions of this place, and icebergs often float here; all this at different times led to the death of a dozen ships.
Why was it called the Cape of Good Hope?
The navigator who discovered the Cape of Good Hope in Africa was named Bartolomeu Dias; on the orders of the Portuguese king, he went in search of a sea route to India around Africa. Another storm confused the explorer's plans, and he lost his bearings, so, trusting his intuition, he went north, where he met the cape, giving it the name of the cause of his disaster. The ship was too damaged and the crew mutinied, so even after seeing the beginning of the journey to the Indian Ocean, Dias was forced to turn back. In 1497, Vasco da Gama was sent to pave the way to the Indian coast, and since his journey was fueled not only by responsibility, but also by hope, the cape was immediately renamed the Cape of Good Hope.
Holidays on the Cape
At the moment, the Cape of Good Hope is one of the most famous national parks in the world. This is the place where the Atlantic and Indian oceans connect, so this is the point on the globe where you can visit two different oceans at the same time.
The Cape of Good Hope is located in the south of the Cape Peninsula, near Cape Point, at the foot of which it originates, where the water is much warmer than other water basins in the area. The water of the bay is heated by warm currents of the Indian Ocean. Therefore, the beaches near the cape are always filled with people.
In addition, not far from the cape there is the National Park "", which captivates with its flora and fauna; many amazing animals live there - from monkeys to penguins.
How to get there?
For a very long time, the Cape of Good Hope was considered the southern point of Africa, so finding it on the world map is quite simple, because this information is captured in the form of exact coordinates on a sign installed on the site in front of the cape. There is a city near the Cape of Good Hope
Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) - detailed description, location, reviews, photos and videos.
- Last minute tours in South Africa
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The Cape of Good Hope represented the hopes of the Portuguese who were looking for a route to India in the 15th century. It was originally called the Cape of Storms, but King John II was superstitious and therefore decided to rename this point on the Cape Peninsula. Today the Cape of Good Hope is one of the important strategic sites of the African continent. Once it helped ships get from Europe to the Far East, it now remains popular thanks to its landscapes, which attract millions of tourists.
How to get there
You can get to the Cape of Good Hope, located on the Cape Peninsula, from Cape Town. The journey by car will take about four hours. Time will pass unnoticed, because along the way you will encounter a very beautiful area: a savannah where ostriches, antelopes, baboons and other animals roam, mountains, a nature reserve.
The Cape of Good Hope is the most southwestern point of Africa. It is impossible to make a mistake, since this fact is confirmed by both scientists and an inscription with exact coordinates installed on the site in front of the cape. But the Cape Peninsula at this point reaches its southernmost point and, going north, ends with Cape Point.
Reserve
The road to the Cape of Good Hope inevitably leads through the reserve of the same name. It is characterized by lush vegetation, which interferes with movement if traveling on foot. The highest density of plants is on the Cape Peninsula. It is almost impossible to get through here; you need a car. The area of the reserve is more than 7 thousand hectares. Here you can find plants that cannot be found in other parts of the world.
The vegetation and fauna of the reserve match its uniqueness in the fact that penguins live here next to monkeys, cheetahs and antelopes. Yes, yes, it’s the penguins that we are used to seeing only in the coldest parts of the planet. The fact is that they were able to swim to Africa from Antarctica and settled here.
Previously, penguins felt almost like the owners of the reserve and calmly went to their neighbors in search of food. But then, apparently, when other animals got tired of such anarchy, penguins received a separate territory. It's called Boulders Beach.
The reserve is open every day, seven days a week. In summer it receives guests until 18:00, and in winter - until 17:00 local time.
Cape of Good Hope and surroundings
Beaches
The Cape of Good Hope has beaches where you can relax and sunbathe. People come here both in large groups and with the whole family. There are even places on the beach where lovers can retire and hide from prying eyes.
The swimming season usually lasts from September to May. During this period, the weather is sunny, so you can safely go here to get a tan. On other days there is nothing special to catch on the beach.
Lighthouse
The lighthouse is one of the main attractions of the Cape of Good Hope. It was built in 1860 and its height is 240 meters above sea level. It is the tallest lighthouse in South Africa. Unfortunately, it does not work, because one day it could not help the Portuguese ship - the lighthouse was covered with clouds, and the ship, which did not see the signal, landed on the rocks.
But at the lighthouse at an altitude of 200 meters there is an observation deck. You can climb it on foot or by cable car. Next to the lighthouse there is a restaurant and a souvenir shop.
The site offers a wonderful view of two oceans at once: the Indian and Atlantic. The waters of these oceans wash both sides of the cape. If you look closely, you can see that the oceans are different in color. The waves run very quickly onto the rocks and break against them, leaving traces of white foam.
Excursions
Typically, excursions to the Cape of Good Hope include a visit to the reserve, as well as the shore with a penguin haven. We'll tell you about a few more places that are worth seeing. On the coast of False Bay, or “False Bay,” a winding road is laid through the mountains. Along it you can get to the town of Simonstown, where the British Royal Navy was previously based.
The coast of the Cape of Good Hope itself has its own characteristics. For example, on the western side the climate is milder, there are beaches, sandy shores, and an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. In the east it is warmer, but strong winds blow, which make it difficult to swim and enjoy the scenery. On this part of the coast, not everyone takes the risk of swimming; tourists prefer to just sit on the shore and breathe the ocean air.
The island of fur seals is of great interest to travelers. Its area of only 4 square kilometers is small for an island, and it has a turbulent history dating back to the 17th century. The fact is that for three centuries there was a prison, a military base and a hospital. And it was on this island that freedom fighter and future South African President Nelson Mandela served his sentence. In 1999, the island became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A museum has opened here, telling about the history of the country. Tourists can visit the prison yard and cells.
The Cape of Good Hope - what is it famous for, who discovered it, where is it located, how to get there.
Cape of Good Hope - (or Cabo de Boa Esperanca in Portuguese) a geographical point on the world map with the most romantic and beautiful name. Perhaps no other geographical landmark on the planet has such a poetic name.
What is the Cape of Good Hope famous for?
Cape of Good Hope (Cape of Good Hope) is famous for the fact that it has long been considered the southernmost tip of Africa. Then they calculated that the southernmost point of the continent is Cape Agulhas(Cape Agulhas), located one and a half hundred miles to the southeast from the Cape of Good Hope.
But no one knows Cape Agulhas, but the Cape of Good Hope is included in all school geography textbooks, it is associated with the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries, and it is this place that hundreds of thousands of tourists and travelers from all over the world strive to see.
The Cape of Good Hope is not the southernmost point of Africa
Who discovered the Cape of Good Hope. Origin of the name
It is known that the first European to see this African cape was Bartolomeo Dias, the famous Portuguese commander, in 1488.
Bartolomeo Dias first discovered the Cape of Storms in 1488
The expedition was given the task of finding a sea route to India around Africa. Dias did not reach India, but became the first European to circumnavigate Africa from the south. Indirectly, he was helped in this by the terrible storms that battered his ships for several days. When the storms subsided, the disorientated Dias headed north and on February 3, 1488 ran into the coast, which “turned” to the northeast. And so the way to the Indian Ocean was opened. Dias was forced to give in to the demands of the rebellious team and did not go further. On the way back, he saw this cape protruding into the sea, which he called the Cape of Storms, because severe storms were constantly raging in this place.
Storms rage near the Cape of Good Hope
Dias announced this “working” name upon his return to Portugal in his report to King João II. But His Majesty was wise and far-sighted. He decided that it would not be appropriate to leave such a harsh name for the turning point, beyond which a direct sea route to India opens. And he suggested calling this place the Cape of Good Hope. Or in Portuguese Cabo de Boa Esperanca. The cape lived up to its name. In 1497 she rounded the Cape of Good Hope and finally reached the treasured shores of India!
Where is the Cape of Good Hope
Today it is the territory of the Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa. The nearest big city is Cape Town. The Cape of Good Hope itself is the national pride and tourist attraction of South Africa. It is organically integrated into the national park or reserve with the same name “Cape of Good Hope” or in English “Cape of Good Hope”.
From Cape Town ) to the Cape of Good Hope approximately 4 hours by car
As already mentioned, the Cape of Good Hope is not only not the southernmost, but also not the most southwestern point of Africa. The most southwestern point is the completely inconspicuous ledge of Cape Point, located fifty meters to the north. And it is on it that a lighthouse with the name “Cape of Good Hope” is installed. And an observation deck from where all tourists take their memorable photos.
And at the Cape of Good Hope there is a shield with the name and exact coordinates and the inscription “the most southwestern point of Africa.”
How to get there to the Cape of Good Hope
I haven’t been to these parts myself yet, so I’ll use photographs, 
impressions and stories from various blogs of those who were lucky enough to visit here.
“Upon arrival at the Cape of Good Hope, all tourists rise from the buses using trailers, and then walk for quite a long time to a long, beautiful high cape stretching into the sea with a lighthouse and a panoramic view of the ocean surface, from which everyone takes pictures of “themselves in an embrace” with the very southwestern Africa." The journey by car from Cape Town will take about 4 hours. But the road will not tire the traveler, because it passes through a nature reserve in which ostriches, antelopes, baboons and a host of other living creatures roam.Here, next to monkeys, cheetahs and antelopes, penguins live.
Penguins in Africa
Yes, yes, it is penguins, which we consider exclusively Antarctic animals. Apparently in time immemorial they swam here and settled on these rocks.Or, on the contrary, did penguins penetrate into Antarctica from Africa?
Be that as it may, the Cape of Good Hope offers stunning views of the confluence of two great oceans, where sea and air currents collide. Therefore, the first name of this place - Cape of Storms - also has every right to exist.
Stunning views of the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans
More travelers era of great geographical discoveries
Marco Polo- a real character or a brilliant hoax
Let's say right away that the Cape of Good Hope is not the southernmost point of Africa. But it is definitely the most famous on its entire southern coast.
In the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries (from the end of the 15th century), ships, skirting the continent, changed course for the first time, turning east towards the Indian Ocean, right here. Therefore, people considered this cape to be the southernmost. Since then, science has stepped forward and clarified that in fact Cape Agulhas, located 150 km to the southeast, should be considered the southern point of the mainland. And the Cape of Good Hope bears the honorary title of the most southwestern point of the African continent.
Cape of Good Hope on the map
- Geographic coordinates -34.357890, 18.475453
- The distance from the capital of South Africa, Pretoria, is approximately 1340 km
- The distance to the nearest Cape Town International Airport is about 45 km
An interesting fact is that there are 3 capitals in South Africa. Pretoria is the official capital of the state. But the parliament is in Cape Town, and the supreme court is in Bloemfontein. And these cities are also called capitals. This is explained as follows: at the beginning of its formation, South Africa was a confederation, which included 3 territories - the Republic of South Africa (Pretoria), British possessions (Cape Town), and a country with the very exotic name of the Orange Free State (Bloemfontein). When South Africa was formed, it was decided to distribute authorities evenly across these cities.
Let us return to the Cape of Good Hope. It was originally called the Cape of Storms. And for good reason.
The history of the name is as follows:
Europeans were looking for a sea route to India. For this purpose, in the middle of the last millennium, an expedition set out from Portugal. And in 1488, Captain Bartolomeo Dias rounded this cape for the first time. But these guys failed to get to India, because the team was tired and rebelled. Dias was forced to turn back. On the way back, a storm raged in the area of the cape. The ship and its crew were pretty battered. The sailor did not invent an original name, calling the rocky ledge simply Cape of Storms. A little later, King Juan II of Portugal decided to rename it the Cape of Good Hope, rightly believing that such a name would not only not scare off other sailors, but would also give them hope for a quick completion of the journey.
The king's initiative paid off. Already in 1497, Vasco Da Gama paved the way from the Old World to India. The expedition was successful, and since then the name Cape of Good Hope has been firmly attached to this rocky outcrop. Many sailors began to use this route.
Yes, of course, the souls of the sailors were filled with hope when approaching this cape, because more than half of the journey was behind them. Joy spread across the faces of the team. But no matter how amazing and bewitching the Cape of Good Hope attracts attention, it is quite dangerous for sailors. Storms and storms are quite normal for these places. To this day, about three dozen sunken ships can be seen in the surrounding waters.
To facilitate navigation, a lighthouse 238 meters high above sea level was built in 1857. But it turned out to be too high, and sometimes clouds and fog completely covered it.
Old lighthouse of the Cape of Good Hope After another shipwreck in 1911, a decision was made to move the lighthouse. From 1913 to 1919, the lighthouse was built in a different place and not so high. The new lighthouse rises only 87 meters above sea level. But it can be seen from a distance of more than 60 km. This is the most powerful lighthouse on the entire southern coast of Africa. Since then, the sea route in the area of the cape has become much safer.
New Cape of Good Hope Lighthouse There is an interesting misunderstanding. In fact, ships, passing from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean, round Cape Point, located a little further. But it is the Cape of Good Hope that enjoys worldwide fame.
Behind Cape Point is a cozy Falsbay Bay, similar to Hawaiian Hanauma Bay. There is a beautiful beach washed by the warm current of the Indian Ocean.
Excellent beaches on the border of two oceans, stunning views of the surrounding area, and the diversity of flora and fauna in the Cape of Good Hope area attract a huge number of tourists.
Cape of Good Hope in photographs
