Cape Trafalgar Cabo de Trafalgar | |
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 Cape Trafalgar lighthouse in the distance | |
  Cape Trafalgar Cape Trafalgar (Andalusia) Show map of Andalusia Cape Trafalgar Cape Trafalgar (Spain) Show map of Spain | |
| Coordinates:36°11′N6°2′W / 36.183°N 6.033°W /36.183; -6.033 |
Cape Trafalgar (/trəˈfælɡər/;[1]Spanish:Cabo Trafalgar[ˈkaβotɾafalˈɣaɾ]) is aheadland in theProvince of Cádiz in the southwest ofSpain. Cape Trafalgar lies on the shore of theAtlantic Ocean, northwest of theStrait of Gibraltar. TheInternational Hydrographic Organization defines the western limit of the strait and theMediterranean Sea as a line that joins Cape Trafalgar to the north withCape Spartel to the south.
Cape Trafalgar was the site of the 1805 epic navalBattle of Trafalgar, in which theRoyal Navy commanded by AdmiralHoratio Nelson defeated a combinedFrench and Spanish fleet, in theWar of the Third Coalition.
The most prominent structure on the cape is a 34 m (112 ft) lighthouse, which totals 51 m (167 ft) above sea level), theFaro de Cabo Trafalgar, which was first illuminated on 15 July 1862.[2]
The name is ofArabic origin, deriving either fromTaraf al-Ghar (طرف الغار 'cape of the cave/laurel'),[3][4][5] or fromTaraf al-Gharb (طرف الغرب 'cape of the west').[6][5] In both cases,taraf (طرف) means 'edge' or 'extremity' and refers to apromontory.[citation needed] In modernArabic, however, the place is sometimes re-transcribed asal-Taraf al-Aghar (الطرف الأغر).[7]
In May 2021, 2,000-year-oldRoman baths emerged from the sand dunes of Cape Trafalgar, including entire walls, windows and doors.[8]
Media related toCabo Trafalgar at Wikimedia Commons| International | |
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