A city with a cape of good hope. Who discovered the Cape of Good Hope and what year was it

We must say right away that the Cape of Good Hope is not the southernmost point of Africa. But it is definitely the most famous along its entire southern coast.
In the era of the great geographical discoveries (from the end of the 15th century), ships, skirting the continent, for the first time changed course, turning east towards the Indian Ocean, right here. Therefore, people considered this cape the most southern. 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 continent. 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
• Distance from the capital of South Africa, Pretoria, about 1340 km
• Distance to the nearest international airport Cape Town is about 45 km

An interesting fact - there are as many as 3 capitals in South Africa. Pretoria is the official capital of the state. But here is Parliament in Cape Town, and the Supreme Court 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), the possessions of Britain (Cape Town), and a country with a very exotic name, the Orange Free State (Bloemfontein). With the formation of South Africa, it was decided to distribute the authorities in these cities evenly.

Let's return all the same 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:
The Europeans were looking for a sea route to India. To this end, 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 did not manage to get to India, as the team got tired and started a riot. Dias was forced to turn back. On the way back, a storm raged in the area of \u200b\u200bthe cape. The ship and its crew were pretty battered. The sailor did not invent an original name, calling the rocky ledge simply Cape of Tempests. A little later, King João II of Portugal decided to rename it the Cape of Good Hope, rightly believing that such a name would not only not scare away other sailors, but would also give them hope for an early completion of the journey.

The king's initiative was justified. Already in 1497, Vasco Da Gama paved the way from the Old World to India. The expedition was successful, and since then the name of the Cape of Good Hope has been firmly entrenched behind this rocky ledge. Many seafarers 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 way is behind. Joy spread over the faces of the team. But no matter how amazing and fascinating the Cape of Good Hope attracts attention, it is quite dangerous for sailors. Storms and storms are quite normal in these places. Until now, about three dozen shipwrecks can be seen in the surrounding waters.

To facilitate navigation, a lighthouse was built in 1857 with a height of 238 meters above sea level. But it turned out to be too high, and sometimes clouds and fog completely covered it completely.

Old Cape of Good Hope lighthouse

After another shipwreck in 1911, it was decided to move the lighthouse. From 1913 to 1919, the lighthouse was built in a different place and not so high. The new lighthouse rises just 87 meters above sea level. But it can be seen from a distance of over 60 km. It is the most powerful lighthouse on the entire southern coast of Africa. Since then, the sea route in the area of \u200b\u200bthe cape has become much safer.

New Cape of Good Hope lighthouse

There is an interesting misunderstanding. In fact, the ships, passing from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean, go around Cape Point, located a little further. But it is the Cape of Good Hope that enjoys worldwide fame.

Behind Cape Point is the cozy Falsby Bay, similar to Hawaiian Hanauma Bay. There is a beautiful beach here, washed by the warm current of the Indian Ocean.

Excellent beaches on the border of two oceans, mesmerizing views of the surroundings, a variety of flora and fauna in the Cape of Good Hope area attract a huge number of tourists here.

Cape of Good Hope in photos

The Cape of Good Hope is perhaps the most famous Cape in Africa. Where is the Cape of Good Hope? On the territory of the Republic of South Africa, or rather, on the Cape Peninsula.

First mentions

Quite a few swear words were spoken by the sailors about this place that was lost to them. The history of sailing tells the story of the enormous efforts of many navigators and pioneers, which they had to make to overcome the ocean currents, skirting this promontory.

Who Discovered the Cape of Good Hope? This question cannot be answered unequivocally. Now, based on information from historical sources, we can say with confidence that the first people to visit this place back in 500 BC were the inhabitants of Ancient Egypt.

Egyptian sea voyage

It happened during the reign of Pharaoh Necho II, who set out to restore economic stability to his power. For this, it was necessary to find a way to deliver Egyptian goods to Europe, that is, to find a workaround there. A delegation of hired Phoenicians was sent to the east side of Africa, where sailors hoped to find workarounds. This journey dragged on for three whole years, and several times the Phoenicians interrupted it, landing on Earth to grow something edible, since the supplies were not designed for such a long period. Africa turned out to be such an extended one. The Cape of Good Hope probably became the place of their landing, and then the travelers rounded it. Upon their return, the discouraged Phoenicians said that they were shocked when one day "the sun suddenly turned out to be from the north side," therefore, they crossed the equator.

The idea of \u200b\u200bfinding a workaround was unsuccessful, and further travel was not cost-effective. The expenses exceeded the income, and for over two thousand years no one attempted to sail here.

Bartolomeo Dias: the one who discovered the Cape of Good Hope

At the end of the 15th century, many wealthy Europeans were ready to pay any money for pleasant and expensive luxury items from distant India. However, the way there was blocked by vast Muslim lands, because the followers of the teachings of Muhammad did not seek to improve relations with Europe and normalize trade relations. Therefore, it was necessary to look for another way - the sea.

The first attempts to find it were made by the Portuguese. João II sent an expedition in search of a detour to the land of elephants. At the head of the expedition was who, possessing perseverance and endurance, nevertheless sailed with his team to the Cape of Good Hope. But how hard it is! Infernal currents, hostile attitude of the natives. Members of his crew have rebelled on ships many times. They demanded a return to their homeland, because most of them had lost hope of finding a way to India. To the question "Where is the Cape of Good Hope?" none of the sailing crew, including Bartolomeo Dias, could answer. Since these were the first people to reach it, they could not know its exact location relative to the continents. And he didn't have a name either. Then B. Dias, under the impression of torment, which brought them this place, called it "Cape of Tempests." This is how the Cape of Good Hope was discovered. The year in which this event took place (1488) was the beginning of the history of this mysterious and unusual place.

The return of the Portuguese sailors

Another outburst of dissatisfaction from the Dias team led to the fact that the expedition turned on its way back. The sailors flatly refused to continue the journey, which seemed to them endless. They saw no point in further attempts to go to the East, as if the very elements were against them and sent numerous storms. But, despite the fact that the mariners did not reach the shores of India, King João II was pleased with the results of the expedition, considering the "reconnaissance" successful. The only thing he didn't like was the frightening name that Bartolomeo Dias gave to Cape. The king considered that the cape needed a different name, which would inspire travelers that the cape was not the main obstacle on the way to India, but the first step that would bring them closer to it. Therefore, he gave this place the name "Cape of Good Hope". Geographic coordinates: latitude: -34.358056; longitude: 18.471944

Vasco da Gama's journey

A few years later, another Portuguese, Vasco da Gama, was the first to sail along the route of the first expedition and made a corresponding note in his logbook. He wrote that as a result of long and skillful maneuvers, his ship passed the Cape of Good Hope. The lyrical name really became the key to the good luck of the Portuguese. The discovery of the Cape of Good Hope by Vasco da Gama is dated 1497. This navigator reached the shores of India, and reported to the king upon his return. Thus, Vasco da Gama fulfilled the main purpose of his journey. And the development of the territory of South Africa was not included in it.

The opening of the Cape of Good Hope by the Dutch as a staging post for the sea route

The founding of the port city of Cape Town (from the English "city on the cape") is a merit of the Dutch. It was they who opened the Cape of Good Hope as the first staging post between Rotterdam and India. It was here that the patients were treated and the ships of the Dutch East Indies were supplied with water and food supplies. The local population of the natives at first welcomed the guests. But in the late 60s of the 17th century, when the Europeans began to intensively upset Cape Town, the displacement of the natives from their native lands and their enslavement began. On this basis, long bloody conflicts began.

Disputes over the cape

The British knew who discovered the Cape of Good Hope, who founded Cape Town. But this did not prevent them from taking away southern Africa from the Dutch in 1795. Now this territory became known as the "Cape of Good Hope colonial province." Among the population were the descendants of the first colonists - the Boers, which means “peasants” in Dutch. The new order caused them strong discontent, and then, overcoming the resistance of the Zulu on their way, they moved to the north of the continent.

Liberation from the colonial regime

Until the end of the 19th century, the Boers lived separately, and the territory inhabited by them received the unspoken name "Boer republics". But when it was discovered that these lands had large deposits of diamonds and gold, the British again turned their attention to the rebellious Boers. From 1899 to 1902, the brutal Anglo-Boer wars continued, as a result of which Great Britain nevertheless took possession of the territory of the Boer republics. Now all of South Africa (including the Cape of Good Hope) was ruled by the British.

Only more than half a century later, in 1961, the period of long colonial dependence was completed. Now this territory was called as follows: South Africa.

The Legend of the Flying Dutchman

This legend is the most intriguing and known story of the Cape of Good Hope. She has a great many variations. Sometimes the names of the main characters in it differ, but the plot in any case has the same meaning. It was in this place that the captain of one of the Dutch ships was cursed. His reputation was, to put it mildly, not very good. He was known as a foul language and a blasphemer. This captain's name was Van Stratten. He always had a whip in his hands with a lead plaque on the end, in case someone came to hand. The backs of many sailors were forever covered with scars from wild beatings with this whip. Van Stratten's ships often carried African slaves who died in dozens along the way. Dead bodies were usually thrown overboard. That is why, as escorts near the ships of this captain, there were sharks waiting for the next "handout". Well-fed and satisfied, they gladdened the cruel captain with their presence, he jokingly called them "my fish". On one of the voyages, the ships were caught in a violent storm. Just then they were rounding the Cape of Good Hope, the coordinates showed exactly this, because it was impossible to see anything in such bad weather. All the sailors begged the captain to turn back in order to wait out the revelry of the elements.

It’s not hard to guess that Van Stratten swore badly in response. He said: “No way! I'll swim anyway! I will not give up even if the end of the world comes. I will even give my soul to the devil, but I will survive this storm. " It was at this moment that the heavenly gates opened, and the voice of the Almighty was heard: "You said! Now swim!" The devil took the captain's soul. Since then, Van Stratten's ship has been drifting restlessly and doomed off the coast of the cape. All the sailors and the foul-mouthed captain himself are now doomed to eternal life, to immortality in the vast expanses of water, unable to land ashore. Meeting other ships, immortal seafarers strive to pass letters to their relatives, who have died long ago. Taking these letters is a very bad omen. If you do this, then the curse goes to the compassionate assistant.

sights

One of the most famous sights is the National Reserve, whose name coincides with the name of the cape. It is part of Table Mountain (Table Mountain National Park).

Colony of a rare species of penguins called spectacled or black-footed; colony of bear baboon chakma.

Of the geographic features, the most visited is the one serving as an identification mark for the southern tip of Africa.

South African Astronomical Observatory; the port city of Cape Town, where you can visit the V&A Waterfront, Two Oceans Aquarium; the territory of the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, founded in 1913; the estate of the Castle of Good Hope, which is the oldest building in South Africa; South African National Gallery.

The Cape of Good Hope is famous for these places. Photos of some of them are shown below.

Cape of Good Hope as the personification of human hopes

The name of the cape truly inspires hope. And even people who have despaired of their troubles and misfortunes, having visited this mysterious place, begin to believe in the best. The Cape of Good Hope becomes a guiding star for those people who have never been there, illuminating the life of sick children with its name.

The Cape of Good Hope SD is a community of parents from all over the world whose children are suffering. They unite in the fight for the health and full life of their children, giving each other hope for the best.

So, the answer to the question "Who discovered the Cape of Good Hope" is the navigator Bartolomeo Dias, who first set foot on the land of this truly magical place. It was he and his three small ships that circled this cape for the first time. Nowadays, many myths, stunning nature and sights attract many tourists to the Cape of Good Hope.

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 gripped on one side by Table Bay and on the other by Table Mountain.

Cape Town is often the final destination for South African tours that include:

Photo hunting in the national park,

There are many attractions and attractions in this South African city, but the main ones are the Cape of Good Hope and Table Mountain, which take your breath away for many travelers who have been there.

Cape of Good Hope

In the 15th century, the Cape of Good Hope served as the embodiment of the dream of Portuguese sailors looking for a way to India. It was originally called the Cape of Tempests, but under King João II this point on the Cape Peninsula was renamed. Now the Cape of Good Hope is known for its landscapes, attracting 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 the exact coordinates.

Ocean shore near Cape Town.

Cape nature reserve

The road to the Cape of Good Hope passes through the nature reserve of the same name. It is distinguished by dense thickets of various plants that interfere with walking. Their highest density is observed on the Cape Peninsula, so you can't do without a car here.

The reserve covers an area of \u200b\u200bmore than 7,000 hectares. In it, along with the rarest representatives of flora, there are also such unique representatives of the fauna for Africa as penguins. It is especially unusual to see them next to antelopes and cheetahs, since they are associated only with the coldest parts of the planet. However, this is not a mirage. Penguins got to Africa from Antarctica. Previously, penguins walked around 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 now it is 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 on the lighthouse. It is arranged at an altitude of 200 meters, and you can climb it either by cable car or on foot. A souvenir shop and a restaurant with a terrace offering stunning views are located nearby.

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 in color.

Beaches

At the Cape of Good Hope, there is an opportunity to relax on the beach. The swimming season usually begins in September: at this time, sunny weather sets, and a good tan is guaranteed. The season ends in May.

On one of the beaches of Cape Town.

Moreover, the coast has some climatic features. For example, the western side is distinguished by a mild climate, sandy shores, peace and quiet. Here are the beaches. It is warmer in the east, but strong winds blowing there make it difficult to swim, so tourists in this part of the coast prefer only to sit on the shore and admire the ocean.

Excursions

The excursion to the Cape of Good Hope most often includes a visit to the reserve and the coast of penguins. But besides them, there are other sights worth seeing. For example, on the coast of the so-called "False Bay" a road has been laid to the town of Simonstown, where the base of the British Royal Navy was located in the past.

Of interest to tourists is the island of fur seals, with an area of \u200b\u200b4 square kilometers, which has a rather turbulent history. Since the 17th century, it has housed a prison, hospital and military base. It was on this island that Nelson Mandella, the future president of South Africa, was imprisoned.

In 1999, UNESCO ranked the island as a World Heritage Site. A museum dedicated to the history of the state was opened there. Tourists are offered guided tours of the cells and the prison courtyard.

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 Table Mountain, is recognized as a symbol of the city and is included in the UNESCO heritage list. It rises to 1087 meters.

View of Table Mountain from Cape Town Harbor.

The first of the Europeans to climb this summit was the Portuguese sailor Antonio de Saldanha. In those days, Table Mountain was covered with centuries-old hardwood trees. They were used in the construction of a wooden fort for a new settlement. Usually the mountains end with pointed tops, but at Mount Table the top is flat, like a table top, which is why the mountain got its name.

Most of the time, Table Mountain is covered by clouds, so not all tourists manage to get on it. Due to weather conditions, the city authorities may prohibit the climb to the top in order to avoid any accidents 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 meet in this place. When the mountain is covered by thick cloud masses, 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 Hunks, smoked tobacco with such a nasty smell that the townspeople sent him to the mountain slopes. There he met the devil, who invited him to arrange a competition: who will smoke whom. Hunks accepted the offer. They lit a cigarette, and their smoke covered the entire mountain. Since then, the inhabitants of Cape Town have referred to this legend when they see Mount Table covered with a white "tablecloth".

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

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

Several peaks adjoin Table Mountain, which are part of the Peninsula National Park. These are Devil's Peak, Lion's Head and Mount 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 all over the world. And also take a couple of surf lessons on the most famous surf beach in South Africa.

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

Not everyone knows, although the guides often remember this, but it was here that the famous legend of the Flying Dutchman was born. Thanks to the films, this legend is indirectly known to many, but its essence was never revealed, as well as the place where it appeared. Many are also surprised to hear her, they say, but what about Captain Davy Jones? Isn't it the Island of the Cross? No, it was 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 also had an interesting history. It was discovered by Bartolomeu Dias, a Portuguese sailor, who called it the Capes of Storms because the cape was often exposed to severe storms. As you can see from history, it did not become the Cape of Good Hope right away, it was renamed by King João II, when his ships plowed the vastness of its waters. The king's hope was justified, a sea route to India was opened for Portugal, and the cape remained "Good Hope" forever.

Historical legends

The sailing ship "Flying Dutchman" is known in history, 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 of 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 called her in marriage, but the girl could not imagine herself in the hands of the murderer of her lover, so she jumped overboard.

While trying to go around the cape, the ship got into a violent storm, but despite the plea of \u200b\u200bthe team to wait it out in the nearest bay, the angry captain decided on a desperate act. Challenging all the gods, he led the ship through the storm, dooming himself and the entire crew to certain death. Swearing that not a soul would go ashore, he signed his own sentence. Now the ship is forced to wander, time after time trying to go around the cape. However, according to one of the versions, the captain can still remove the curse, which he himself called. Once every 10 years, he is supposed to go 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 released by some magic word, but who knows or keeps - the unknown secret of the seven seas.

Another version of the legend

The Dutch captain vowed that he would sell his soul if he passed the cape unharmed. He made the mistake of not pointing out that he only needed to do it once, and the Devil played a cruel joke on him. Now the captain and his crew are going around the cape again and again unharmed.

In a severe storm, the ship could not bypass the Cape of Good Hope (in another version, it was Cape Horn). The team asked to turn back, but Van Straaten stated that he would swim until he reached the goal. In response to angry speeches, a voice rang out from the sky: "So be it - swim even until the second coming."

In those days, terrible diseases raged, and one of them overtook the "Flying Dutchman", no port agreed to accept such a ship, fearing infection. The Dutchman sailed from port to port for a long time, while his crew members were dying. Without finding help, the ship continues to wander, winding up terror and bringing misfortune to other ships.

There are incredibly many versions. Yet another one says that the Dutchman met the ghost ship Kenara, but after defeating it, he took on the curse of the pirate ship. According to other stories, the captain was in such a hurry to go home that he did not help the sinking ship encountered at sea, for which he was cursed by all maritime laws.

Cape of Good Hope - This is a place on the very edge of the southwestern coast of Africa, the meeting point of two oceans - the Indian and Atlantic.

Opening of the Cape of Good Hope.

The Cape of Good Hope was discovered by the Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Dias. This event took place in 1488. The navigator had to find the shortest route to the shores of India. He never reached the final point of his route, but he was the first of the European sailors to circumnavigate the African continent from the south. His ship was caught in violent storms that did not recede for several days. When the calm fell, Diash sailed further north, opening the way to the Indian Ocean. But after the experience, his team did not want to sail further and Diash had to turn the ship in the opposite direction. Returning, he saw a promontory that protruded from the sea and called it the Cape of Storms. However, the Portuguese king João II renamed it the Cape of Good Hope, hoping for an open sea route to India. Several years later, another Portuguese navigator, Vasco da Gama, sailed to the Indian coast, circling the Cape of Good Hope.

Lighthouse

The Cape of Good Hope is not a very welcoming place for ships sailing here. Strong winds, storms and frequent fogs made navigation in these places unsafe. Coastal cliffs are very similar to each other and because of this, sailors often stray from the right course. In addition, sometimes icebergs float into these waters and a collision with them could lead to a shipwreck. In the middle of the 19th century, the authorities decided to build a lighthouse so that ships could find their way to the harbor. The lighthouse was built on Cape Point Mountain, which is located next to the Cape of Good Hope at an altitude of 270 meters. From this place, the lighthouse was visible at a distance of 80 km. But the British engineers who designed this structure did not take into account one feature. The top of the mountain on which the lighthouse is located was often covered by clouds. For this reason, there was no benefit from the lighthouse. He worked in that very place for about half a century, but several shipwrecks made the authorities think about this problem. The last straw was the catastrophe of the Portuguese liner that hit the reefs. Fortunately, almost all of the passengers managed to escape. The lighthouse was closed. Nowadays, it serves as a museum and an observation deck, from which a stunning view of the endless ocean opens up.

The new lighthouse is located at an altitude of 88 meters and is visible from a distance of 40 km. He began to bring much more benefits, and shipwrecks in these places stopped. Today it houses a restaurant, which can be reached by cable car.

Fauna

In addition to typical African inhabitants such as monkeys, cheetahs and antelopes, penguins can also be seen here! The spectacled penguin, once migrated from Antarctica, feels great in the new conditions. The cold waters of the Bengal Current save birds from the heat. The dimensions of spectacled penguins are not large: their height is about 65-70 cm, and their weight is 3-5 kg. They feed mainly on small fish. The species is on the verge of extinction, therefore it is listed in the Red Book. Enemies of spectacled penguins are humans, sharks, gulls and seals, who also sailed to the very south of Africa from Antarctica.

Flying Dutchman

The Cape of Good Hope is mentioned in the legend of the Flying Dutchman, the legendary ghost ship doomed to suffer forever to plow the vast oceans. According to one version of the legend, a Dutch ship returning from the East Indies was caught in a severe storm near the Cape of Good Hope. The sailors offered to wait out the bad weather in the bay near the coast, but the captain was adamant. He vowed that not one of the ship's members would go ashore until the ship circled the cape and thus brought a curse on the ship and its crew.

Information for tourists.

You can get to the Cape of Good Hope by train from Cape Town to Simonstown. Travel time will take about an hour and then a few minutes by taxi to Boulders Beach.