CAPE OF GOOD HOPE- MY JOUNEY TO THE SOUTHERN MOST POINT OF SOUTH AFRICA.
Hi Steemians !!
A wonderful evening to you all.
Going ahead with my travelogue series , my visit to South Africa, I shall today narrate my trip to the southernmost tip of South Africa also popularly known as the Cape Point , at the Cape Of Good Hope.
Cape point is probably South Africas most popular tourist site which has its own history and importance which most of the tourists may be unaware at the time of visiting this unique rocky promontory situated at the southernmost point in the South African (African )land mass
THE NAME :
The name Cape of Good Hope dates back to the fifteenth century first used by Portuguese sailor Bortolomeu Dias. He was th first European to view Cape Point, while in search of the southernmost tip of the African continent. As per the history he first named this place as Cape Of Storms owing to the inclement weather and turbulent and treacherous water always present in this region, but later on the suggestion of King George II of Portugal the name was changed to a more optimistic Cape of Good Hope.
TABLE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK:
The cape point actually lies within the aptly named Table Mountain National Park. The Cape point section of this national park covers approximately 20% of the area of the park. On a clear day you can see the table mountain from various vantage points of this park.
CLIMATE RESEARCH:
The air at the Cape Point is the purest in the world and Cape Point is the home to Global Research Watch’s Atmospheric Research Station an establishment of World Meteorological Organization. Its task is to monitor the changes in the earth’s atmosphere.
FLORA AT CAPE POINT:
The Cape peninsula has a rich and diverse plant life due to which it has earned World Heritage Site accolades eight times by UNESCO. Area wise it is only 0.5% of Africa however it houses more than 20% of the continents floral species.Infact there are more than 1000 species of plants in the Cape Point of which 14 are endemic to only this region
THE OLD LIGHT HOUSE :
There are two light houses at C ape Point, only one of which is still in operation as a nautical guide. The old light house which was built in 1850 does not function any more ,however it is still a very popular tourist attraction.It sits high above the ocean and is often covered by clouds.
THE NEW LIGHT HOUSE:
The new light house at Cape Point is one of the most powerful light houses on the South African coast.It has a range of 60 km and each flash has an intensity of 10 million Candelas.
NEAREST LANDMASS TO THE SOUTH:
On a clear day one could see upto Antarctica from Cape Point which is 6000Km away
FAUNA AT CAPE POINT:
More than 270 species of birds ranging from sunbirds through Ostriches are found in this small area. The Coastal plants also support bids like Canaries ,Shrikes and Warblers .Sea birds Herons and Eagles are also spotted easily. Western reef Heron and Bairds Sandpiper have been spotted at Cape Point but not at any other place in South Africa.
THE LEGEND OF FLYING DUTCHMAN
Legend has it that ghost ship the Flying Dutchman haunts the oceans surrounding Cape Point, unable to make port and doomed to sail the turbulent seas for eternity. One of the earliest reported sightings of the Flying Dutchman Funicular came from King George V in 1881, but several Simon’s Town residents claim to have seen the ship in more recent years. While the myth likely has its roots in 17th-century nautical folklore, these days you can sail to the foot of the old lighthouse in the funicular of the same name.
I hope you enjoyed reading my travelogue and as in my previous posts I still maintain that Cape Town happens to be an excellent travel destinations for both animal and wildlife lovers and also people who love beeches and water sports.
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