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.
Cape Trafalgar
Cabo de Trafalgar | |
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 Cape Trafalgar lighthouse | |
  Cape Trafalgar Location in Andalusia  Cape Trafalgar Cape Trafalgar (Andalusia)  Cape Trafalgar Cape Trafalgar (Spain) | |
| Coordinates: 36°11′N 6°2′W / 36.183°N 6.033°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.
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
editThe 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.[citation needed] In modern Arabic, however, the place is sometimes re-transcribed as al-Taraf al-Aghar (الطرف الأغر).[7]
Archaeology
editIn 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
editReferences
edit- ^ "Trafalgar". Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.
- ^ "Trafalgar Lighthouse". Wanders. 2019-06-24. Retrieved 2020-11-07.
- ^ A page of a professor of the Facultad de Filología of the Universidad de Salamanca
- ^ Entry algar, in DRAE dictionary
- ^ a b Richard Burton, The Arabian Nights (vol. 9)'s footnote 82
- ^ Joseph E. Garreau, "A Cultural Introduction to the Languages of Europe".
- ^ Khalid (September 18, 2004). "Etymology and Meaning of Trafalgar". The Baheyeldin Dynasty. Archived from the original on Sep 28, 2023.
- ^ Laguna, Isabel (17 May 2021). "Roman baths emerge from sand dunes of southern Spain". La Prensa Latina. Archived from the original on Apr 15, 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
External links
edit
Media related to Cabo Trafalgar at Wikimedia Commons- Libro de Faros (todos los faros de España)
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