Cape Agulhas, Southernmost cape in Cape Agulhas Local Municipality, South Africa.
Cape Agulhas is the southernmost cape of the African continent in Cape Agulhas Local Municipality, South Africa. The coastline consists of flat rock shelves that extend far into the sea and become visible at low tide.
Bartolomeu Dias reached this coast in 1488 during his search for a sea route to India. The magnetic property of the rocks that influenced compass needles led to the original naming by the Portuguese.
The name comes from the Portuguese word for needles, describing the sharp rock formations along the shore. Fishermen visit this stretch of coast regularly because of currents that attract different species of fish.
A wooden boardwalk leads to a marker at the southernmost point of the continent and provides safe access over the uneven terrain. Wind can be very strong here, so weatherproof clothing is recommended for the visit.
Two oceans meet at this geographic point, though the exact boundary line between them remains scientifically debated. During calm sea conditions, a slight difference in wave patterns can sometimes be observed in the water.
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