Cape of Good Hope

by Zhuoliang Zhang/Bruce
(Chofu City, Tokyo, Japan)

The Cape of Good Hope is a cape in the south of South Africa, which is a converging point of the Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean. Because of huge waves brought by strong winds here, it's one of the most dangerous navigation courses. A question arises about why it is called the Cape of Good Hope, since it's so dangerous.

About 500 years ago, the famous navigator Dias led a fleet from Portugal to explore courses to India. When they sailed back, it was sunny and they saw the cape hidden for several centuries. After that there was a saying that if passing the cape, fleets can arrive in India where there is a great quantity of treasure. So it is called the Cape of Good Hope.

Before the Suez Canal was dug, the Cape of Good Hope was the nearest shipping route from Europe to Asia. Many European fleets crossed it to head for Asia. In 1869, when the Suez Canal was dug and the Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea were connected, the Cape of Good Hope was still the main course since some large ships could not sail through the Suez Canal.

It is for the above reasons that make the Cape of Good Hope an important and famous cape.