The Cape of Good Hope. In 1487 the Portuguese explorer, Bartolomeu Dias, “discovered” (at least from a European point of view) the southernmost tip of Africa and gave it this name. It brought hope to Europe – hope of finally establishing a maritime route for trade with the commercial centers of the east.
Contrary to Dias’ belief (and popular belief even today), the Cape of Good Hope is not the southernmost point of the African continent. That spot is actually 90 miles east (and, of course, a bit south) in Cape Agulhas. The Cape of Good Hope is the most southwestern point in Africa – located at 34° 21’ 25”S, 18° 28’ 26”E.
Technicalities aside, in the days of grand ocean voyages it was the halfway point in any journey between the East and the West. The Cape was an anchorage where fresh water could be taken on and food could be obtained by hunting or bartering with the local Khoi herders.
Of course, stopping here to “refuel” didn’t come without its perils. The Cape has also been called the “Cape of Storms” as it has become one of the world’s great maritime graveyards with over 650 wrecks over the past 400 years – some in my lifetime!
In 1860, a lighthouse was built near the Cape of Good Hope on Cape Point. It was built at 249m above sea level. Unfortunately, the Cape Peninsula is often covered by clouds and mist and shipwrecks continued to happen when the lighthouse was obscured. In 1911, a new lighthouse was built just 87m above sea level. This second lighthouse is visible over 40 miles away and is still in use today.
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| If you look closely, you can see both (tiny) lighthouses) |
The Cape also has the cleanest air in all of the African continent. This is due, in part to the strong (and nearly constant) south-easterly wind (called the “Cape Doctor”) that blows all pollution away. In addition, most of the air around the cape has passed over the southwestern ocean and is unaffected by local influences.
Due to these factors, the Cape is home of one of 27 global atmosphere watch stations. These worldwide observatories work together to study atmospheric conditions and long-term chemical and physical changes.
Today the Cape is part of a National Park that includes over 19,000 acres and more than 25 miles of coastline.It isn't the most fertile land, but it's incredibly beautiful.
The park is home to over 300 baboons who terrorize tourists nowadays.
Sir Frances Drake called the Cape of Good Hope the “fairest cape in the world.” I haven’t traveled as extensively has he did, but I can see how this is a tough spot to outshine.
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| Look over my right shoulder – Antarctica is just over 5000 miles away! |
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