Cape Spartel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cape Spartel |
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| Arabic: رأس سبارطيل | |
Cape Spartel Lighthouse (2015)
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 Cape Spartel
Location in Morocco
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| Coordinates | 35°48′02″N 5°54′22″W / 35.80056°N 5.90611°W |
| Elevation | 1,005 feet (306 m) |
| Geology | Cape |
Cape Spartel is a cool place in Morocco. It's a piece of land that sticks out into the sea. This cape is about 300 meters (1,000 feet) high.
It's located near the city of Tangier. Cape Spartel is super important because it's right at the entrance of the Strait of Gibraltar. This strait is a narrow waterway connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Cape Spartel is also the most northwestern point of the entire African continent! Right below the cape, you can find the famous Caves of Hercules.
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What's in a Name?
The name "Spartel" comes from a Latin word, spartium. This word refers to a type of plant called Spanish broom. So, the cape might have been named after these plants that grow there.
Exploring Cape Spartel
Cape Spartel is the most northwestern point of Africa. It's often mistakenly called the northernmost point, but that's actually Ras ben Sakka in Tunisia. The cape rises to a height of 326 meters (1,070 feet). At its highest point, called Jebel Quebir, there's a lighthouse. This lighthouse was built in 1864 by Sultan Muhammad IV. It stands proudly at the edge of a cliff.
The Caves of Hercules
Right below the cape are the amazing Caves of Hercules. These caves are open for everyone to visit! You can get to them easily from Robinson Plage. Scientists have found signs that people lived in these caves a very long time ago, even during the Stone Age. In the past, people also mined rocks from these caves, which helped make them even bigger.
The Mystery of Spartel Bank
Close to Cape Spartel, there's a place called Spartel Bank. This is a sunken island under the sea. Some people believe that this could be the location of the legendary lost city of Atlantis! It's a cool theory to think about.
You can easily reach Cape Spartel by taking the National Road S701.
Historical Events at the Cape
Cape Spartel has been the site of many important events throughout history. Its location at the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar made it a key spot for sea battles and ship journeys.
On August 17, 1670, a big sea fight happened here. British ships, led by Commodore Richard Beach, and Dutch ships, led by Willem Joseph van Ghent, worked together. They destroyed six ships from Barbary near Cape Spartel.
Later, during the War of the Spanish Succession, two Spanish warships were caught near the cape. On March 23, 1704, an English group of ships, led by Vice-Admiral Thomas Dilkes, attacked them. The Spanish ships were new and carried weapons. After a seven-hour battle, the English captured both warships. One of them, the Santa Teresa, unfortunately sank on its way to Lisbon.
The American Revolutionary War
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On October 20, 1782, during the American Revolutionary War, another naval battle took place. This was the Battle of Cape Spartel. It was fought between British ships and a combined French and Spanish fleet. The battle was important for the British to keep supplies flowing to Gibraltar, which was under attack. The battle ended without a clear winner.
Shipwrecks and Modern Conflicts
In December 1911, a large British passenger ship called the SS Delhi got stuck near Cape Spartel. All the passengers were saved by British and French warships. Sadly, three French rescuers lost their lives during the rescue.
The Battle of Cape Spartel was a naval battle during the Spanish Civil War on September 29, 1936. In this battle, two Nationalist ships fought against two Republican ships. The Nationalists won, which helped them control the sea route to Spanish Morocco. This was a very important victory for them early in the war.
Images for kids
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A panoramic view of the area around Tangier.
See also
- Cape Malabata
In Spanish: Cabo Espartel para niños
