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, and more precisely, on the Cape Peninsula.
First mention
A lot of swear words were said by the sailors in the address of this place that was blighted for them. The history of navigation tells of the exorbitant efforts of many navigators and pioneers, which they had to make to overcome ocean currents, circling this cape.
Who discovered the Cape of Good Hope? This question cannot be answered unequivocally. Now, relying on information from historical sources, it is safe to say that the inhabitants of Ancient Egypt were the first to visit this place as far back as 500 BC.
Egyptian voyage
This happened during the reign of Pharaoh Necho II, who set out to restore economic power to his power. To do 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 trip dragged on for three whole years, and several times the Phoenicians interrupted it, landing on Earth in order to grow something edible, since the reserves were not designed for such a long period. So long was Africa. Cape of Good Hope probably became the place of their landing, and then travelers circled it. Upon their return, the discouraged Phoenicians said that they were shocked at how once “the sun suddenly turned out to be from the northern side”, therefore, they crossed the equator.
The idea of finding a workaround was unsuccessful, and further trips were not profitable. Costs exceeded revenues, and for more than two thousand years no one made any attempt to swim 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 goods from distant India. However, the path 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 him were made by the Portuguese. The king of Portugal, Juan II, sent an expedition in search of a workaround to the country of elephants. The expedition was headed by Bartolomeo Dias, who, with tenacity and endurance, nevertheless sailed with his team to the Cape of Good Hope. But how hard! Hellish currents, hostile attitude of the natives. Members of his team many times revolted on ships. They demanded a return to their homeland, because most of them lost hope of finding a way to India. To the question “Where is the Cape of Good Hope?” none of the sailors' team, including Bartolomeo Dias, could answer. Since these were the first people to reach it, they could not know the exact location of it relative to the continents. And he also did not have a name. Then B. Diash, being impressed by the torment that brought them this place, called it “Cape of Storms”. So there was the opening of the Cape of Good Hope. 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 Mariners
Another surge of dissatisfaction with Diash’s team led the expedition to turn back. The sailors flatly refused to continue the journey, which seemed to them endless. They did not see the point in further attempts to go to the East, because it was as if the elements themselves were against them and sent numerous storms. But, despite the fact that the seafarers did not reach the coast of India, King Juan II was pleased with the results of the expedition, considering the "intelligence" successful. The only thing he did not like was the frightening name given to Cape Bartolomeo Dias. The king considered that the cape needs a different name that travelers will inspire, that the Cape is not the main obstacle to India, but the first step closer to it. Therefore, he gave this place the name "Cape of Good Hope." Geographic coordinates: latitude: -34.358056; Longitude: 18.471944
Travel Vasco da Gama
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 lengthy and skillful maneuvers, his ship passed the Cape of Good Hope. The lyrical name really became the key to success of the Portuguese. The discovery of the Cape of Good Hope by Vasco da Gama dates back to 1497. This navigator reached the coast of India, which he reported to the king upon his return. So, Vasco da Gama fulfilled the main purpose of his journey. But the development of the territory of South Africa was not part of it.
Opening of the Cape of Good Hope by the Dutch as a transshipment point of the sea route
The founding of the port city of Cape Town (from the English. "Cape Town") is a merit of the Dutch. It was they who opened the Cape of Good Hope as the first transshipment point between Rotterdam and India. It was here that 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 XVII century, when Europeans began to intensively upset Cape Town, the natives began to be forced out of their native lands and turned into slavery. 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 stop them from taking away the south of Africa from the Dutch in 1795. Now this territory has become known as the "colonial province of Cape of Good Hope." Among the population there were descendants of the first colonists - the Boers, which means “peasants” in Dutch. The new orders aroused great discontent among them, and then, overcoming the resistance of the Zulus on their way, they moved to the north of the continent.
Exemption from the colonial regime
Until the end of the 19th century, the Boers lived apart, and the territory they inhabited received the unspoken name of “Boer Republics”. But when it was discovered that in these lands there were large deposits of diamonds and gold, the British again turned their attention to the rebellious Boers. From 1899 to 1902, the fierce Boer Wars continued, as a result of which Great Britain nevertheless captured the territory of the Boer republics. Now all of South Africa (Cape of Good Hope including) was dominated by the British.
Only after more than half a century, in 1961, the period of prolonged colonial dependence was completed. Now this territory was called as follows: Republic of South Africa.
Legend of the Flying Dutchman
This legend is the most intriguing and famous 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 lash in his hands with a lead plaque at the end, in case anyone fell into his arm. The backs of many sailors were forever covered with scars from wild beatings with this whip. The ships of Van Stratten often transported African slaves, who died dozens on the way. Dead bodies were usually thrown overboard. That is why, as accompanying near the ships of this captain were sharks waiting for the next "handout". Well-fed and contented, they delighted with their presence the cruel captain; he jokingly called them "my little fishes." In one of the trips, the ships fell into a severe storm. Just then they went around the Cape of Good Hope, the coordinates showed exactly that, because it was impossible to see anything in such bad weather. All sailors begged the captain to turn back in order to wait out the elements.
It is easy to guess that Van Stratten cursed vilely in response. He said: “No way! I’ll swim anyway! I will not back down, even if the world ends. I’ll even give my soul to the devil, but I will survive this storm. ” It was at that moment that the gates of heaven opened, and the voice of the Almighty was heard: "You said! Now swim!" The devil took the soul of the captain. Since then, off the coast of the cape, the Van Stratten ship has drifted restlessly and doom. All sailors and the foul-captain himself are now doomed to eternal life, to immortality in the vast expanses of water, unable to land ashore. Meeting other ships, immortal sailors strive to send letters to their relatives who have long since died. Taking these letters is a very bad sign. If you do this, then the curse goes to a compassionate helper.
sights
One of the most famous attractions is considered the National Reserve, whose name coincides with the name of the cape. It is part of Table Mountain (Table Mountain National Park).
A colony of a rare species of penguin called eyeglass or black-footed; Chakma Bear Baboon Colony.
Of the geographical sites, the most visited is Cape Igolny, which serves as an identification mark of the southern tip of Africa.
South African Astronomical Observatory; port city of Cape Town, where you can visit the promenade of Victoria and Alfred, Aquarium of two oceans; 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.
Cape of Good Hope is famous for these places. Photos of some of them are given 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 been in this mysterious place, begin to believe in the best. The Cape of Good Hope is becoming a guiding light for those people who have never been to it, illuminating the lives of sick children with their own names.
Cape of Good Hope DM is a community of parents from all over the world whose children suffer from Down syndrome. They unite in the struggle 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 name of the Portuguese navigator Bartolomeo Dias, who first set foot on the ground of this truly magical place. It was he and his three small ships that first circled this cape. Now many myths, stunning nature and attractions attract many tourists to Cape of Good Hope.