Cape Roxo
Encyclopedia
Cape Roxo is a headland
in West Africa
, marking the westernmost frontier of Guinea-Bissau
with Senegal
. On the lower side is the São Domingos
district of the Cacheu Region
of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau
, above it is the Oussouye Department
of the Ziguinchor Region
of the Republic of Senegal
.
Cape Roxo marks a significant angle shift in the outline of the African coast, with the coast running north-south above it, and turning southeast below it.
It was originally called Capo Rosso by Venetian
explorer Alvise Cadamosto in 1456 on account of its reddish appearance (rosso = red in Italian
). Although it is sometimes found translated as Cabo Vermelho in some old Portuguese maps, Cadamosto's Italian term was largely adopted as Cabo Roxo by most Portuguese
cartographers (in Portuguese
, roxo = purple, so it did not sound foreign.)
It should not be confused with Cape Rouge (or "Red Cape") further north, on the Petite Côte
of Senegal.
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...
in West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
, marking the westernmost frontier of Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau
The Republic of Guinea-Bissau is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Senegal to the north, and Guinea to the south and east, with the Atlantic Ocean to its west....
with Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
. On the lower side is the São Domingos
Sao Domingos (Guinea-Bissau)
São Domingos is a Sector in the Cacheu Region of Guinea-Bissau. The sector contains the only border checkpoint between Guinea-Bissau and Senegal. Mpack, Senegal is on the Senegal side of the border.-Notes:...
district of the Cacheu Region
Cacheu Region
Cacheu is a region in western Guinea-Bissau, on the border with Senegal. It has an area of 5,175 km2 and a population estimated in 2004 at 164,676. Its capital is Cacheu.Cacheu is divided into 6 administrative sectors:*Bigene*Bula*Cacheu*Caió...
of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau
The Republic of Guinea-Bissau is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Senegal to the north, and Guinea to the south and east, with the Atlantic Ocean to its west....
, above it is the Oussouye Department
Oussouye Department
' is one of the departments of Senegal, located in the Ziguinchor Region....
of the Ziguinchor Region
Ziguinchor Region
Ziguinchor is a region of Senegal . The region is also referred to historically and popularly as Basse Casamance.-Departments:Ziguinchor region is divided into 3 departments:*Bignona...
of the Republic of Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
.
Cape Roxo marks a significant angle shift in the outline of the African coast, with the coast running north-south above it, and turning southeast below it.
It was originally called Capo Rosso by Venetian
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
explorer Alvise Cadamosto in 1456 on account of its reddish appearance (rosso = red in Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
). Although it is sometimes found translated as Cabo Vermelho in some old Portuguese maps, Cadamosto's Italian term was largely adopted as Cabo Roxo by most Portuguese
Kingdom of Portugal
The Kingdom of Portugal was Portugal's general designation under the monarchy. The kingdom was located in the west of the Iberian Peninsula, Europe and existed from 1139 to 1910...
cartographers (in Portuguese
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
, roxo = purple, so it did not sound foreign.)
It should not be confused with Cape Rouge (or "Red Cape") further north, on the Petite Côte
Petite Côte
The Petite Côte is a stretch of coast in Senegal, running south from the Cap Vert peninsula to the Sine-Saloum delta.The northern section near Dakar contains popular seaside resorts such as Saly-Portudal, Rufisque, Nianing and Popenguire, while the entire coast is home to the city of M'Bour and...
of Senegal.