Cape Trafalgar

Cape Trafalgar (/trəˈfælɡər/;[1] Spanish: Cabo Trafalgar [ˈkaβo tɾafalˈɣaɾ]) is a headland in the Province of Cádiz in the southwest of Spain. The 1805 naval Battle of Trafalgar, in which the Royal Navy commanded by Admiral Horatio Nelson decisively defeated Napoleon's combined Spanish and French fleet, took place just off the cape.

This article is about a geographic region in Spain. For the German ship of the same name, see SMS Cap Trafalgar.
Cape Trafalgar
Cabo de Trafalgar
Cape
Cape Trafalgar lighthouse
Cape Trafalgar lighthouse
Cape Trafalgar is located in Province of Cádiz
Cape Trafalgar
Cape Trafalgar
Location in Andalusia
Cape Trafalgar is located in Andalusia
Cape Trafalgar
Cape Trafalgar
Cape Trafalgar (Andalusia)
Cape Trafalgar is located in Spain
Cape Trafalgar
Cape Trafalgar
Cape Trafalgar (Spain)
Coordinates: 36°11′N 6°2′W

Cape Trafalgar lies on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the Strait of Gibraltar. The International Hydrographic Organization defines the western limit of the strait and the Mediterranean Sea as a line that joins Cape Trafalgar to the north with Cape Spartel to the south.

Aerial view of Cape Trafalgar and the surrounding area (north to the right)

The most prominent structure on the cape is a 34 m (112 ft) lighthouse, which totals 51 m (167 ft) above sea level), the Faro de Cabo Trafalgar, which was first illuminated on 15 July 1862.[2]

Etymology

The name is of Arabic origin, deriving either from Taraf al-Ghar (طرف الغار 'cape of the cave/laurel'),[3][4][5] or from Taraf al-Gharb (طرف الغرب 'cape of the west').[6][5] In both cases, taraf (طرف) means 'edge' or 'extremity' and refers to a promontory. In modern Arabic, however, the place is sometimes re-transcribed as al-Taraf al-Aghar (الطرف الأغر).[7]

Archaeology

In May 2021, 2,000-year-old Roman baths emerged from the sand dunes of Cape Trafalgar, including entire walls, windows and doors.[8]

See also

References
  1. "Trafalgar". Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.
  2. "Trafalgar Lighthouse". Wanders. 2019-06-24. Retrieved 2020-11-07.
  3. A page of a professor of the Facultad de Filología of the Universidad de Salamanca
  4. Entry algar, in DRAE dictionary
  5. Richard Burton, The Arabian Nights (vol. 9)'s footnote 82
  6. Prof. Joseph E. Garreau, A Cultural Introduction to the Languages of Europe
  7. Etymology and Meaning of Trafalgar
  8. Laguna, Isabel (17 May 2021). "Roman baths emerge from sand dunes of southern Spain". La Prensa Latina. Retrieved 5 April 2023.


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