Where is Cape Hope? Cape of Good Hope

There is no place on the world map more mysterious than the cape Good Hope: shipwrecks, exotic animals and plants, unusual nature and climate - all this attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world like a magnet every year.

The Cape of Good Hope is located in the South-West of the African continent and is the southern part of the Cape Peninsula. 45 m to the north, the Cape of Good Hope meets another cape, Cape Point. Geographically, the Cape of Good Hope belongs to the Atlantic basin, but is washed by two oceans from different sides: the Atlantic and Indian.

The eastern part of the Cape is always colder due to the Antarctic Current. The opposite coast of the cape is washed by the warm waters of Fels Bay, formed by the Indian Ocean. Due to the collision of cold and warm waters, strong air currents are formed around the cape, giving rise to strong winds and storms in the sea.

The highest point of the cape is Mount Table (Table Mountain), its height is 1086 m. Near the Table there are the mountains Devil's Peak (height - 1000 m), Lion's Head (670 m), 12 Apostles and Signal Hill (350 m).

Table Mountain near the Cape of Good Hope

Table Mountain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a symbol of the nearby city of Cape Town.

The mountain owes its name to its unusually flat peak. Thanks to which, the Table resembles a table. Not every tourist is able to see the mountain, as it is often covered with clouds. Locals call this phenomenon "tablecloth".

In good weather the mountain is visible from Cape Town. From the city you can climb to the top of the mountain by cable car or on foot. At the top there is an observation deck and telescopes. This gives you a bird's eye view of Cape Town and the ocean. The mountain is composed of sandstones, it has steep slopes covered with vegetation.

History of the formation of the Cape of Good Hope

The Cape of Good Hope is located on the African Plate and is part of the coastal spit of the Cape Peninsula. The history of the appearance of the Cape of Good Hope is inextricably linked with the formation of the African continent. The Cape took shape during the Triassic period, after the separation of Africa from Pangea.

At that time, this land was not a cape at all, but a small island. Over a long period of time, the ocean deposited sand between the island and the mainland, slowly connecting them.

Locals call this phenomenon "Africa's Helping Hand." During the Ice Age, the Cape of Good Hope, like the entire southern part of Africa, was covered with ice.

People began to settle southern part Africa during the Stone Age, as evidenced by numerous cave paintings. Rock carvings of the cape were discovered nearby in Cape Town.

Explorations of the Cape of Good Hope

The Cape of Good Hope appeared on the world map during the Age of Discovery. Interest in the cape stems from the East India Company, which required a sea trade route from Europe to India. Like all the greats geographical discoveries The Cape of Good Hope was discovered by accident.

The discoverer of the cape is considered to be the navigator of Portuguese origin Bartolomeu Dias. All the men in the Dias family were engaged in navigation, so Bartolomeu was well acquainted with navigation and ship control; already at the age of 30 he became a ship captain on state pay.

In 1487, the Portuguese king Juan II ordered to equip a naval expedition of three ships, two of which were military sailing ships. The goal was to find new way to India via Africa. A year later, they reached the southern hemisphere of the Earth and began their journey along the shores of the African continent.

Unbearable heat and a storm raging off the coast of Africa forced Dias to change course and set sail for 2 weeks open sea. After the storm subsided, the ships returned to their usual course and reached the southern part of the continent. Ahead was the Indian Ocean and a direct path to the shores of India.

However, Dias failed to reach its shores. The crew began to demand to return home due to dwindling supplies, scurvy and very hot weather. The captain decided to return in 3 days.

During these three days, the ship managed to reach Cape Agulhas and go around it. On the last day of their journey, Dias and his team rounded an unknown cape and turned back. Dias named it the Cape of Storms because strong winds blew around it. The Cape of Good Hope appeared on the world map thanks to Juan II. Upon returning to his homeland, Dias presented a report to the king, who did not like the name Cape of Storms.

It was decided to rename the cape His Majesty the Cape of Good Hope. The name, which was too long, did not catch on and was changed to the Cape of Good Hope. This name was supposed to give hope to sailors heading to the shores of India.

For 5 long years, no one searched the coast of India. Interest in it awoke only after the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. King Juan II again orders an expedition through Africa. In 1498, Vasco da Gama rounded the Cape of Good Hope and headed for the shores of India.

Dias later made attempts to reach the Cape of Good Hope, but whether he succeeded in his plans is unknown. Dias's ship went missing southern shores Africa. After which a legend was born that the ship forever wanders off the coast of the cape it discovered. Perhaps this story served as the prototype for the famous tale of the Flying Dutchman, a ghost ship.

The path to India past the coast of Africa was laid, but the Portuguese were not interested in exploring it. The first European settlements in these areas were organized by the Dutch in 1652. It was they who began to study the cape, the population living in these parts and nature.

The pilgrims managed to find out that historically the area of ​​the cape belonged to the Hottentot tribe, a relative of the Bushmen tribe. It was the Dutch pioneers who founded the city of Cape Town near the cape, the name of which can be translated as “proud on the cape.”

Cape Town began to prosper as all the ships rounding the Cape of Good Hope docked at the port to resupply. The cape became an outpost of the East India Company on its way to India.

In 1657, the Hottentots, dissatisfied with slavery and the taking of land by Europeans, started a war. The excitement was suppressed by the Europeans. In 1795, the settlement could not resist the onslaught of Napoleon and the territory, along with the cape, went to France.

The Cape of Good Hope disappeared from the world map in 1796. That year, Great Britain ousted the French, and the Cape became known as the “Provincial Colony of Good Hope.” These territories would later become part of the Union of South Africa.

The British managed to find gold deposits near the cape and organize diamond mines, to which adventurers from all over the world flocked. Cape Town has become the main city in Africa. Only in 1961, the Cape of Good Hope, as part of the Union, became the independent Republic of South Africa (RSA) and regained its name.

Climatic conditions

The climate at the Cape of Good Hope is marine subtropical. It’s not for nothing that the peninsula got its name Cape of Storms. The wind blows strong here and does not stop throughout the year. In summer the wind has a south-easterly direction, and in winter – northwest. The best time Spring is considered the best time for tourists to explore the Cape of Good Hope.

In the southern hemisphere it occurs in September-November. In spring, the cape begins to become covered with greenery, there is little precipitation and the temperature allows you to enjoy a walk along the cape.

In summer, the Cape of Good Hope is heated by warm currents Indian Ocean. This is a hot and dry season with little rainfall. Summer on the Cape lasts from December to March. The average temperature in summer is 25 °C, but in some years the temperature exceeded 40 °C - this is the absolute temperature maximum.

Autumn at the Cape of Good Hope occurs between April and May. This is a pleasant and not hot time to travel. At this time you can fully appreciate the beauty of the local nature.

Largest quantity Precipitation falls on the cape in winter in June-August. In June last year, 122 mm Hg fell. Art.

This is the rainiest and cloudiest month of the year. The wind, which constantly blows on the cape during the rainy season, intensifies, remaining warm.

Average temperature for the last 3 years:

Flora and fauna

The Cape of Good Hope on the world map does not have the best location. But from the point of view natural map world, this area is unique.

Only here there are signs warning car owners: “When starting the car, make sure there are no penguins under it.”

It’s hard to believe, but on such a small piece of land, animals whose habitats are hundreds of kilometers apart coexist peacefully. Only at the Cape of Good Hope you can meet monkeys, zebras, penguins and ostriches in one place in just a few hours of walking. 5% of all animal and plant species on the planet can be seen in South Africa.

The most frequent guests of the cape are marine inhabitants. Off the coast of the Cape of Good Hope you can meet entire colonies of fur seals, and see sharks and whales swimming past. Since the cape goes deep into the sea, its shore becomes an excellent viewing platform for observing these amazing sea creatures.

One of the symbols of the cape are fur seals. These are small pinnipeds that are black or brown in color. Not far from Cape Town you can see the island of fur seals. According to various estimates, from 50 to 70 thousand seals live on it. The island looks more like flat rocks with water sticking out on them, on which fur seals live. Previously, poachers caught seals for the production of fur coats; now this is officially prohibited and the animals are under the protection of the South African authorities.

The monkey family on the island is represented by baboons, who are so accustomed to living among people that they are not afraid of their presence. Tourists often try to feed the animals, so the South African authorities were forced to put up signs with the following content: “Baboons are wild and dangerous animals.”

There are even employees on the island who drive animals away from tourists with sticks. Baboons belong to the monkey family and are very similar in appearance. The height of baboons reaches 75 cm. The usual habitat of baboons is East and Central Africa.

On the way to the cape, you can meet elephants and herds of antelope, which still live in the Republic of South Africa. African ostriches can be found not only on special farms, but also in the wild. They are the only remaining members of the ostrich family in South Africa. The height of birds can reach more than 2.5 m, and their weight exceeds 150 kg.

An encounter with an ostrich can be dangerous for a tourist. In total, about 850 bird species live permanently in South Africa and the Cape of Good Hope. On the cape you can easily find the nests of some of them.

Penguins are a favorite among tourists. Their population on the Indian Ocean coast is large. They scurry around everywhere, their main habitat is Boulders Beach.

Local authorities decided to give the beach to the penguins. The cape is home to spectacled penguins, which are listed in the International Red Book. These penguins are also called donkey penguins because of their ability to make sounds similar to the “ey” of a donkey.

2/3 of the flora of the Cape of Good Hope consists of rare plant species that cannot be found in any other corner of the world. Much of the headland is occupied by the Fynbos biome, which consists primarily of rare bush species. There are about 9 thousand species here.

Good Hope Reserve

The reserve is considered not only the main attraction of the cape, but also of South Africa itself. Its area is more than 7 hectares of land. You can get to the reserve from Cape Town by car or rent a bicycle. The journey by car will take about 1.5 hours. The road to the Cape of Good Hope is laid through the territory of the reserve. There is an ostrich farm nearby.

The Cape of Good Hope remains the most unique in terms of quantity unique species animals, a point on the world map. Not so long ago, scientists from the UK proved this. The reserve presents all animals and plants living on the Cape Peninsula and in South Africa.

The history of the reserve began recently, in 1938. By that time, more than 1,000 different species of animals and several thousand plants already lived on the territory of the reserve.

This place contains rare species of animals that are found only on the territory of the reserve and animals brought from all over South Africa. Hyenas, rhinoceroses, ostriches, crocodiles, penguins, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, elephants - all of them can be found in the reserve.

The reserve is open daily for tourists, the only limitation being bad weather conditions. During storms and storms, tourists are prohibited from visiting the park and the Cape of Good Hope. The most popular among tourists are fur seals and penguins, who are happy to be photographed and are not afraid of humans.

Cape Beaches

During the swimming season, when the weather on the coast is good, tourists are allowed to swim on the beaches of the cape and sunbathe. The swimming season lasts from September to May.

It is worth remembering that the cape is washed on both sides by different oceans, so the temperature in the western part is always a little lower, but there are sandy entries into the water and the waves are calm.

The eastern coast is warmer, but gusty winds constantly blow there and large waves form. The beaches in this part are more suitable for walking and contemplating the ocean.

There are no blank spots left on the world map thanks to people like Bartolomeu Dias, who spent their entire lives for one discovery. Cape of Good Hope - extraordinary a nice place, filled with the romance of wanderings. The edge of the earth that everyone should see.

Article format: Mila Friedan

Video about the Cape of Good Hope

Penguins in Africa:

The city of Cape Town is located in the Republic of South Africa, on the Cape Peninsula, near the Cape of Good Hope. The city center is occupied by mansions and buildings of old Dutch architecture, built in the Victorian style. But there are relatively few of them. They are sandwiched on one side by Table Bay and on the other by Table Mountain.

Cape Town is often the last stop on South African tours, which include:

Photo hunt in the national park,

This South African city has a lot of entertainment and attractions, but the main ones are the Cape of Good Hope and Table Mountain, which take the breath away of many travelers who have visited there.

Cape of Good Hope

In the 15th century, the Cape of Good Hope served as the personification of the dream of Portuguese sailors looking for a way to India. It was originally called the Cape of Storms, but under King John II this point on the Cape Peninsula was renamed. Now the Cape of Good Hope is famous for its landscapes, which attract millions of tourists. The Cape is the most extreme southwestern point of Africa, which is confirmed by scientists. On the site in front of this place there is an indication with exact coordinates.

Ocean shore near Cape Town.

Nature Reserve on the Cape

The road to the Cape of Good Hope passes through the reserve of the same name. It is distinguished by dense thickets of various plants that make it difficult to travel on foot. Their highest density is observed on the Cape Peninsula, so you can’t get by without a car.

The reserve covers an area of ​​more than 7,000 hectares. In it, along with the rarest representatives of the flora, there are also representatives of the fauna unique to Africa, such as penguins. It is especially unusual to see them next to antelopes and cheetahs, since they are associated only with the coldest points of the planet. However, this is not a mirage. Penguins reached Africa from Antarctica. Previously, penguins walked throughout the reserve, but then a separate area was allocated for them, called Boulders Beach.

Penguins at the Cape of Good Hope.

Lighthouse

The lighthouse was built in 1860 and is now one of the main attractions of the cape. It rises 240 meters above sea level and is considered the highest in South Africa. There is an observation deck at the lighthouse. It is located at an altitude of 200 meters, and you can climb it either by cable car or on foot. Nearby there is a souvenir shop and a restaurant with a terrace offering amazing views.

From here, tourists can see two oceans at once: one side of the cape is washed by the waters of the Atlantic, and on the other, the Indian. Taking a closer look, you will notice that they differ from each other in color.

Beaches

At the Cape of Good Hope you can also relax on the beach. The swimming season usually begins in September: at this time the weather is sunny, and a good tan is guaranteed. The end of the season is in May.

On one of the beaches of Cape Town.

At the same time, there are some climatic features near the coast. For example, the western side is characterized by a mild climate, sandy beaches, peace and tranquility. The beaches are located here. It’s warmer in the east, but the strong winds blowing there make it inconvenient, making it difficult to swim, so tourists in this part of the coast prefer to just sit on the shore and admire the ocean.

Excursions

An excursion to the Cape of Good Hope most often includes a visit to the reserve and the penguin shore. But besides them, there are other attractions that are worth seeing. For example, on the coast of the so-called “False Bay” a road was built to the town of Simonstown, where the British Royal Navy base was located in the past.

Of interest to tourists is the island of fur seals, with an area of ​​4 square kilometers, which has enough turbulent history. Since the 17th century there has been a prison, hospital and military base. It was on this island that Nelson Mandela, the future president of South Africa, was imprisoned.

In 1999, UNESCO classified the island as a world heritage site. A museum dedicated to the history of the state was opened there. Tourists are given tours of the cells and the prison yard.

Table Mountain

This is the main attraction of Cape Town itself, without which it is impossible to imagine this South African city. Table Mountain, or Mount Table, is recognized as the symbol of the city and is included in the UNESCO heritage list. It rises to 1087 meters.

View of Table Mountain from Cape Town Harbour.

The first European to climb this peak was the Portuguese sailor Antonio de Saldanha. At that time, Table Mountain was covered with centuries-old hardwood trees. They were used in the construction of a wooden fort for a new settlement. Usually mountains end with pointed peaks, but Table Mountain has a flat top, like a tabletop, which is how the mountain got its name.

Most of the time, Table Mountain is covered by clouds, so not all tourists manage to get to it. Because of weather conditions The city authorities may prohibit climbing to the top in order to avoid any incidents with travelers. And the weather in Cape Town is unstable, and the reason for this is the warm and cold currents of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans that are found in this place. When the mountain is covered by thick clouds, the townspeople say that it is covered with a tablecloth.

Many legends are associated with this phenomenon. According to one of them, one of the local residents, whose name was Fan Hanks, smoked tobacco with such a vile odor that the townspeople sent him to mountain slopes. There he met the devil, who invited him to arrange a competition: who would smoke whom. Hanks accepted the offer. They lit a cigarette, and their smoke covered the entire mountain. Since then, Cape Town residents have referred to this legend when they see Mount Table covered with a white “tablecloth”.

When the weather is good and clear, you can climb to the top using cable car. This mountain is considered the best observation deck; it is included in the list of the ten most visited places by tourists in the whole world. There are viewing telescopes there, a gift shop and a restaurant. From here you can see the whole of Cape Town. But travelers are especially delighted by the view from the top of the mountain during sunset, when the horizon merges with the ocean.

While walking along Table Mountain, tourists will meet many representatives of the local fauna and flora. There are approximately 1,470 plant species here, including the protea, recognized as a true symbol of South Africa.

Table Mountain is adjacent to several peaks that are part of the Peninsula National Park. These are Devil's Peak, Lion's Head and the Mountain of the Twelve Apostles.

In addition to visiting the Cape of Good Hope and Table Mountain, in Cape Town you should definitely try wines from the Cape region, which are famous far beyond Africa and are highly valued by many gourmets and wine connoisseurs around the world. And also take a couple of surfing lessons at the most famous surfing beach in South Africa.

The Cape of Good Hope is a popular attraction for tourists traveling to Cape Town, South Africa. It's a beautiful place with unpredictable weather, baboons and adorable penguins playing in the ocean. Here you can fully enjoy the stunning scenery and wealth of wildlife.

Description and location

A hill on the Cape Peninsula, located on the world map near Cape Town. It is mistakenly considered the southernmost point of the continent and the place where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet. In fact, the tip is located at Cape Agulhas (Agulhas), located on the South African Garden Road, 200 km from the capital of South Africa.

Cold Bengal Current west coast and the warm Agulhas Current converge at the foot of one of Africa's top attractions, which, along with nearby Cape Point, offers spectacular scenery.

The summit is located 70 km from Cape Town. You can get there from the city by car in an hour and a half. Legend has it that the ghosts of the Flying Dutchman's crew haunt the Cape and its waters, although visiting tourists are much more likely to see penguins, antelope and perhaps a right whale.

Geographic coordinates of the cape: 54°31′08″ north latitude and 42°04′15″ east longitude. Altitude: 93 m

origin of name

The historical fact of why the Cape of Good Hope is called that is quite interesting. It dates back to the time of exploration in the 15th century, when European powers Spain and Portugal sent sailors to unknown places in search of wealth. The first European to see and discover the cape was the Portuguese explorer Bartolomeo Dias, who was looking for southern borders African continent. The date of the expedition he led is considered to be 1486.

According to some historical sources, Dias called his discovery "Cape of Storms" (Cabo das Tormentas), but later changed it to the current name of the cape (Cabo da Boa Esperança), so named at the suggestion of King John II of Portugal because of the trade opportunities it brought this place. According to other sources, Dias himself came up with this name. He was from a family of hereditary sailors. His older brothers, moving south along the shores West Africa, discovered Capes Bojador and Zeleny.

History of the Cape

Nine years passed before Vasco da Gama, another Portuguese sailor, also attempted to travel to the southern tip of Africa on his way to India. The sailors met people from the Khoya tribe, and several members of Vasco da Gama's crew were injured in the clash with them. Other important facts in the history of this area are:

1. Although the Portuguese were the first to travel the Cape, they were not seriously interested in southern Africa. They were wary of the indigenous population, and the weather was sometimes treacherous and dangerous.
2. Some early Portuguese navigators chose not to sail around this area. Moreover, in terms of trade, South Africa had very little to offer: gold had not yet been discovered, and the land seemed desolate and unpromising.
3. In June 1580, almost 100 years later, Sir Francis Drake sailed past the cape. He was in trip around the world commissioned by Elizabeth I of England. The weather was calm and the scenery serene. This view inspired Sir Francis Drake to say the following words: “This cape is the grandest thing and the fairest cape that we have seen in all the circumference of the earth.” More British expeditions followed, and soon other European countries followed in their footsteps.
4. In the first half of the 17th century, the English and Dutch used the route, which was supposed to go around the cape, for trade purposes. Danish and French ships stopped to replenish water supplies and stock up on fresh food.
5. Although English, French and Dutch East India companies toyed with the idea of ​​establishing a base on the Cape in the 17th century, it was the Dutch who finally took the first step.

On December 31, 1687, a group of Huguenots was sent to the Cape from the Netherlands. They fled France to escape religious persecution. The Dutch East India Company needed skilled farmers in the Cape, and the Dutch government saw an opportunity for the Huguenots by sending them there.

The Cape of Good Hope plays an important role in South African history as a stopping point for merchant ships sailing between Europe and the European colonies to the east. Initially, Europeans exchanged local residents for food and water, but on April 6, 1652, the Dutch East India Company, under the leadership of merchant Jan van Riebeeck, established a small supply station in a sheltered bay beyond the Cape Peninsula, forming the first European settlement in the region.

On January 19, 1806, Great Britain occupied the extreme point of the peninsula. It was ceded to Great Britain in the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1814 and was henceforth administered as Cape Colony.

Today, the small station that provided refreshments to weary sailors has grown into the bustling city of Cape Town.

Vegetable world

The Cape Peninsula is one of eight protected areas in the region jointly recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage for wealth flora. Although the 553,000-hectare Cape flower region represents only 0.5% of Africa's area, it contains almost 20% of the continent's plants. Fynbos, or "fine bush", is the most common category of plants found here, and many species are unique to the peninsula.

The cape is part National Park Mesa, and park rangers can be seen working to remove invasive species such as wattle, pine and blue gum that threaten the survival of native plants.

wild nature

The peninsula is rich wildlife, especially birds. Its shores are inhabited by the gannet, the African black oyster hunter and 4 species of cormorants. But the most famous feathered inhabitants are the penguins at Boulders Beach. Tourists can get an up-close look at one of the few colonies on the mainland at False Bay. There are special paths that will lead you through natural place penguin habitat, and if you visit this place between February and August, you can see fluffy chicks.

Cape mountain zebra is occasionally found in these areas. But more common inhabitants are baboons, several species of antelope and the small, furry dassie, the elephant's closest relative. You can also watch whales and dolphins here.

Classes and activities

One of the main attractions of South Africa is a narrow peninsula overlooking the ocean. But such a location implies the presence of wind and unpredictable weather. However, the landscape that opens to visitors will not leave anyone indifferent:

1. The coastline meets a backdrop of clouds with occasional glimpses of sun to create a dramatic landscape. While here, you can watch the zebras wandering around. Moreover, this perfect place for whale watching from June to November.
2. You should climb the lighthouse to see best views to the cape There are 3 ways to get to the top. Along coastline There is a path with long stone stairs. This route offers the best views of the coast. From the parking lot there is a road all the way to the top. The climb is quite easy and not very strenuous. For those who do not want or are unable to walk, there is the Flying Dutchman funicular, which takes you to the observation deck in 3 minutes for a small fee.
3. A drive along the Cape Peninsula is one of the favorite additions to tourist route in Cape Town. The highlights of a day trip are the southernmost points of the Cape, and the stunning sea cliffs and ocean views will make tourists feel like they're on the edge of the earth.

Best places

Muizenberg Beach. Muizenberg is a beach suburb of Cape Town known for its white sandy shore and the very colorful houses that decorate it. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean are an added bonus and attract surfers to this place.

Simon's Town and Boulders Beach. Simon's Town is a historic and charming naval town on the shores of False Bay, and Boulders Beach is known for its colony of African penguins. Thousands of individuals go about their daily business: cleaning their wings, looking after their children. The Boulders Beach walk is done on a wooden plank. If you want to get closer to the penguins, you need to go further along sand dunes to Foxy Beach, but be aware that penguins can be aggressive and if you get too close you can experience how sharp their beaks are.

Cape Point. This peak can be reached by driving just over 1 km east of the main headland. This is where the Flying Dutchman funicular is located, offering views of the lighthouse.

Chapman's Peak Drive. There's nothing like the windswept Atlantic coastline, and Chapman Peak provides... ocean road the most breathtaking view. This toll highway is carved into the rock and features nearly vertical climbs and blind turns. It starts at fishing village Hout Bay and runs to Chapman's Point before ending at Noordhoek. The ocean views are incredibly beautiful along the entire route, but the best are from Chapman's Point - the most high point roads.

The Cape of Good Hope is known to many travel enthusiasts beautiful nature, warm climate and Russian-speaking guides who will show and tell all the features of this place.

Not everyone knows, although tour guides often mention it, but it was here that the famous legend of the Flying Dutchman was born. Thanks to films, this legend is indirectly known to many, but its essence has never been revealed, as well as the places where it appeared. Many are also surprised to hear it, they say, what about Captain Davy Jones? Isn't it the Island of the Cross? No, it’s the Cape of Good Hope, and not Captain Jones, although the name of the historical figure is controversial.

A pinch of history

The name of the cape was also interesting story. It was discovered by Bartolomeu Dias, a Portuguese navigator, who called it the Cape of Storms because the cape was often subject to severe storms. As can be seen from history, it did not immediately become the Cape of Good Hope; it was renamed by King Juan II when his ships plied the expanses of its waters. The king’s hope was justified, Portugal opened a sea route to India, and the cape forever remained the “Good Hope”.

Historical legends

Known in history sailing ship"The Flying Dutchman", but the name of its captain is controversial. In one of the myths, the captain was the Dutchman Philip Van der Decken (and according to another version of the story Van Straaten), in 1700, his ship sailed from the East Indies, carrying a married couple on board. He desired the unfortunate lady, the captain got rid of her husband, and invited her to marry, but the girl could not imagine herself in the hands of her lover’s killer, so she jumped overboard.

While trying to go around the cape, the ship was caught in a severe storm, but despite the crew’s plea to wait it out in the nearest bay, the angry captain decided on a desperate act. Defying all the gods, he led the ship through the storm, dooming himself and the entire crew to certain death. Vowing that not a single soul would come ashore, he signed his own death sentence. Now the ship is forced to wander, trying again and again to go around the cape. However, according to one version, the captain can still lift the curse, which he himself caused. Once every 10 years, he is supposed to step ashore and find a wife who will voluntarily agree to marry the damned captain. Another version says that the “Flying Dutchman” and everyone on board can be freed by some magic word, but who knows or keeps it is the unknown secret of the seven seas.

Another version of the legend

The Dutch captain swore that he would sell his soul if he rounded the cape unharmed. He made the mistake of not specifying that he only needed to do this once, and the Devil played a cruel joke on him. Now the captain and his crew go around the cape safe and sound over and over again.

IN heavy storm, the ship could not go around the Cape of Good Hope (in another version, it was Cape Horn). The team asked to turn back, but Van Straaten said that he would swim until he reached his goal. In response to the angry speeches, a voice boomed from the sky: “So be it - sail at least until the second coming.”

In those days, terrible diseases were rampant, and one of them overtook the Flying Dutchman; not a single port agreed to accept such a ship, for fear of infection. The Dutchman sailed from port to port for a long time while members of his crew died. Having never found help, the ship continues to wander, spreading terror and bringing misfortune to other ships.

There are incredibly many versions. Another one says that the “Dutchman” met the ghost ship “Kenara”, but having defeated it, he took upon himself the curse of the pirate ship. According to other stories, the captain was in such a hurry to get home that he did not help a sinking ship encountered at sea, for which he was cursed according to all maritime laws.

It is the embodiment of the hopes of Portuguese sailors who were looking for a way to India in the 15th century. Initially it was nicknamed the Cape of Storms, but King Juan II was very superstitious and issued a decree to rename it.

Today the cape is the most important strategic object region. Previously, it was a landmark for merchant ships traveling from Europe to countries Far East. Now it's popular tourist place, whose landscapes are visited annually by millions of travelers from different corners planets.

Cape of Good Hope: description, photo, video

Despite the euphonious name, this section of the African coastal zone cannot be called calm. The Cape of Good Hope in South Africa often experiences strong sea storms and hurricanes, which is facilitated by two deep-sea currents that collide in the vicinity of the peninsula. For many centuries, these places were dangerous for navigation, just like in the area; even modern ships have a very difficult time passing this area. Only experienced sailors could cope with the power of the elements.

Quite often the Cape of Good Hope is called extreme point Africa in the south, but this is not entirely true. Geographically, a similar status belongs to Cape Agulhas, located 200 kilometers towards the southeast. The Cape of Good Hope is more of a “psychological” mark, after crossing which the traveler moves more in an eastern direction rather than a southern one. It rises 250 meters above sea level, making it one of the largest coastal cliffs in the world.

The Cape of Good Hope area in South Africa has dense vegetation with low bushes. Its entire territory, as well as the main part of the Cape Peninsula, is part of the Table Mountain National Park. The climate here is harsh, wild and practically untouched by man. It is this feature that attracts tourists.

total area protected area covers more than 7 thousand hectares. There are fantastic deserted beaches and majestic rocks, looking into the endless expanses of the ocean. Amazing landscapes Cape Dobra Reliable, just as they are fascinating in the photo, but it is better to see them in reality. The coast is home to simply a huge number of seabirds, among which penguins are especially interesting. As for vegetation, among the great diversity, it is full of endemics that are not found anywhere else in the world.

Where is the Cape of Good Hope

This attraction is located on the territory of the Republic of South Africa in the Western Cape. To be more precise, where the Cape of Good Hope is located, it is located 50 kilometers from Cape Town, in the area of ​​another cape called Cape Point. This territory is notable for the fact that there is a so-called passage between two oceans - the Indian and Atlantic.

Distance from major cities:

• Pretoria - 1340 kilometers;
• Johannesburg – 1397 kilometers.

Coordinates of the Cape of Good Hope on the map:

• Latitude – 34° 21′ 32″
• Longitude — 18° 28′ 21″

Cape of Good Hope on the map

How to get to the Cape of Good Hope

The natural attraction is quite remote from civilization. You can get here from Cape Town, where there are many flights from Johannesburg and other cities. It is worth noting that different airlines flights operate only on certain days. The cost of a ticket depends on the distance - from major cities in South Africa it varies between 50-200 dollars, from other countries it is correspondingly more expensive.

How to get from Cape Town to the Cape of Good Hope:

The first option is suitable for those who have a driver’s license; in the city you can rent a car for up to $120 per day, travel time is about 1.5 hours. You can also get there by bus; two flights depart to the cape daily – in the morning and at lunchtime. Cape Town landing site - Green market Square, return buses leave at 13:00 and 17:15, the price of a one-way ticket is 7-8 dollars.

When is the best time to visit

Since the territory is under protection, the Cape of Good Hope has a specific work schedule. In summer it is open to visitors until 6 pm, in winter – until 5 pm. There are practically no days off. There are several beaches on the coast where you can come to relax and sunbathe. Many beaches are wild, so you can get away from tourists here. The cape is great for a family holiday.

The swimming season here begins in September and lasts until May. At this time the weather is warm and sunny. In winter, which here lasts from June to the end of July, it is cool here and strong winds blow. This time is suitable only for true extreme sports enthusiasts who are not scared by huge waves.

Features of visiting the Cape of Good Hope

Has an official website where you can learn a lot useful information. The cost to enter the park is approximately $11. For children under 11 years old there is a 50% discount. The Flying Dutchman funicular operates on site. It received this name due to the fact that the mysterious ship of the same name is most often visible from it.

According to legend, in the 17th century, a captain sold his soul to the devil to get out of a storm. As a result, the ship and crew members were cursed and forced to float forever in the ocean, appearing before the sailors who were about to suffer a misfortune. The cost of a one-way ride on the funicular is 4 dollars, and for children under 16 years old - 1.5.

How to get to the Cape of Good Hope on your own

Vehicles that do not leave the parking lot before the park closes will be fined. It is also prohibited to litter within the park. The park has a restaurant where you can eat local dishes, as well as several retail outlets where you can buy souvenirs and other products. However, it is better to stock up on food and water in advance. You should also definitely take a camera with you - beautiful pictures are guaranteed.

What to see in the area

One of the main attractions of the cape is the lighthouse. It was built in the second half of the 19th century. The lighthouse rises 240 meters, so it can be seen from almost anywhere in the area. It is the largest in South Africa. Today it is not functioning and is more valuable from an aesthetic point of view, being an excellent observation deck. You can get here on foot or by cable car.

Co observation deck You can simultaneously admire the waters of two oceans, which, by the way, differ from each other in color. On the coast of False Bay in the mountains there is a winding path along which you can walk to the small town of Simon's Town. The British Royal Navy was once stationed here.

Another place that is definitely worth seeing is the island of fur seals. On 4 square kilometers there is a closed military base and a prison where Nelson Mandela served his sentence. Now there is a museum where you can learn the history of South Africa. Tourists also have the opportunity to visit the prison cells and courtyard.