Cape Agulhas

Afrikaans name: Kaap Agulhas

Photo © tamsindove - Fotolia.com

Western Cape

Cape Agulhas is well-known for two reasons. It is the southernmost point of the African continent and it is officially the spot where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet.

The original Portuguese name was Cabo das Agulhas which means "Cape of the Needles".

Cape Agulhas is notorious in the shipping industry for its rogue waves which can be up to 30 metres in height. These, along with the rocky coastline, have led to around 150 ships being sunk along this stretch of coastline.

The Cape Agulhas lighthouse was built in 1848.

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References and further reading

Things ewe never knewe about South African place names - Author: Ann Gadd - Published: 2015 - Page: 36

Things ewe never knewe about South African place names - Author: Ann Gadd - Published: 2015 - Page: 15

The Overberg Explorer - 2nd edition - Author: Ann & Mike Scott - Published: 2001 - Page: 86

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 61

Places to Visit in Southern Africa - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1995 - Page: 216

Getaway - Vol 29 No 03 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 45

Hit the Road - 2nd Edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2018 - Page: 57

Lighthouses of South Africa - Author: Gerald Hoberman - Published: 2009 - Page: 47

Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 682 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 26

Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 87

Country Life - Issue 176 - Author: - Published: 2011 - Page: 76

Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 622 - Author: - Published: 0 - Page: 23

For more info: Cape Agulhas Municipality

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