Cape Cod, Peninsula in Plymouth County, Massachusetts.
Cape Cod is a peninsula in Massachusetts that extends roughly 100 kilometers into the Atlantic Ocean and has over 640 kilometers of coastline with sandy beaches and dunes. Sandbars, shallow bays and protected harbors alternate along the shores, while the interior is crossed by pine forests and small lakes.
English navigator Bartholomew Gosnold named the peninsula in 1602, creating the ninth oldest English place name in the United States. Over the following centuries the area evolved from a fishing settlement into a popular summer destination for visitors from New England.
Shingled cottages and white church steeples define the architecture of many coastal towns, giving them a New England character. Walkers collect seashells along the shore and local markets sell fresh fish and lobster, offering a glimpse into maritime daily life.
Two bridges over the Cape Cod Canal, Sagamore Bridge and Bourne Bridge, connect mainland Massachusetts with the peninsula and make it easier to reach. Most visitors come during the summer months, while autumn and spring offer quieter conditions.
Glacial deposits from about 20 000 years ago shaped the current form of the peninsula and left behind terminal moraines and outwash plains. This geological structure is responsible for the curved silhouette and continues to influence the relief of the landscape today.
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