Cape Orange
Encyclopedia
Cape Orange is a cape
on the coast of Brazil
, separated from the coast of French Guiana
by a large bay
watered by the estuary
of the Oyapock River
. Cape Orange is the northernmost point of the Brazilian state of Amapá
. It is located in an area of tidal marsh
land protected in Cabo Orange National Park
.
In Brazil, both Cape Orange and the nearby mouth of the Oyapock River are often erroneously quoted as being the country's northernmost point, and until the mid- to late 20th century this information could even be found in many Brazilian schoolbooks. Actually, Brazil's most northerly point is far inland and hundreds of kilometres from there, on Monte Caburaí
in the state of Roraima
, almost a full degree more to the north. However, Cape Orange is indeed the northernmost point of the Brazilian coast; the cape's western coastline ends at the Oyapock estuary, whose mouth marks the end of the Brazilian coast.
It is the only place in the Brazilian coast where the American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) nests.
Headland
A headland is a point of land, usually high and often with a sheer drop, that extends out into a body of water.Headland can also refer to:*Headlands and bays*headLand, an Australian television series...
on the coast of Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, separated from the coast of French Guiana
French Guiana
French Guiana is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department located on the northern Atlantic coast of South America. It has borders with two nations, Brazil to the east and south, and Suriname to the west...
by a large bay
Bay
A bay is an area of water mostly surrounded by land. Bays generally have calmer waters than the surrounding sea, due to the surrounding land blocking some waves and often reducing winds. Bays also exist as an inlet in a lake or pond. A large bay may be called a gulf, a sea, a sound, or a bight...
watered by the estuary
Estuary
An estuary is a partly enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea....
of the Oyapock River
Oyapock River
The Oyapock or Oiapoque River is a 370-km long river in South America that forms most of the border between French Guiana and the Brazilian state of Amapá...
. Cape Orange is the northernmost point of the Brazilian state of Amapá
Amapá
Amapá is one of the states of Brazil, located in the extreme north, bordering French Guiana and Suriname to the north. To the east is the Atlantic Ocean, and to the south and west is the Brazilian state of Pará. Perhaps one of the main features of the state is the River Oiapoque, as it was once...
. It is located in an area of tidal marsh
Tidal marsh
A tidal marsh is a type of marsh that is found along coasts and estuaries of which the flooding characteristics are determined by the tidal movement of the adjacent estuary, sea or ocean . According to the salinity of the flooding water, freshwater, brackish and saline tidal marshes are...
land protected in Cabo Orange National Park
Cabo Orange National Park
The Cabo Orange National Park is located in Amapá state in the north of Brazil, near the border between Brazil and French Guyana; 04º26’ N, 51º31’ W.-External links:*...
.
In Brazil, both Cape Orange and the nearby mouth of the Oyapock River are often erroneously quoted as being the country's northernmost point, and until the mid- to late 20th century this information could even be found in many Brazilian schoolbooks. Actually, Brazil's most northerly point is far inland and hundreds of kilometres from there, on Monte Caburaí
Monte Caburaí
Monte Caburaí is a mountain located on the border between the South American countries of Brazil and Guyana standing at above sea level. The source of the Uailã or Ailã river, located on the mountain, is the northernmost point of Brazil....
in the state of Roraima
Roraima
Roraima is the northernmost and least populated state of Brazil, located in the Amazon region. It borders the states of Amazonas and Pará, as well as the nations of Venezuela and Guyana. The population is 400,000 and the capital is Boa Vista...
, almost a full degree more to the north. However, Cape Orange is indeed the northernmost point of the Brazilian coast; the cape's western coastline ends at the Oyapock estuary, whose mouth marks the end of the Brazilian coast.
It is the only place in the Brazilian coast where the American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) nests.