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Cape of Good Hope Facts & Worksheets

The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky promontory (high point of rock or land that is projected into a body of water) that is near Cape Town in South Africa.

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The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky promontory (high point of rock or land that is projected into a body of water) that is near Cape Town in South Africa. Traditionally, it is regarded as the land where the two oceans, the Indian and the Atlantic, meet. But modern geographers said that it was Cape Agulhas that divides these two oceans, which is located about 90 miles southeast of the area.

See the fact file below for more information on the Cape of Good Hope or alternatively, you can download our 17-page Cape of Good Hope worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ETYMOLOGY AND HISTORY OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE

  • During the 15th century, both Spain and Portugal have emerged as the European superpowers. Expeditions were sent to unfamiliar territories to explore more wealth.
  • In 1488, Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Dias was the first European to discover the Cape when he was exploring towards the southern tip of the African territory. He named it as the “Cape of Storms” due to rough conditions of the sea and stormy weather.
  • Later on, King John II of Portugal suggested to rename the territory as “Cape of Good Hope” since it has brought a lot of fortune to them in terms of trading opportunities. Other historical accounts, however, have contended that it was Dias who gave the name, not King John II.
  • The Cape of Good Hope played a key role in South Africa in terms of trade. It served as a stopping point for ships coming from Europe to their colonies.
  • They have established trade relations with the local people named Khoikhoi and exchanged food and water.
  • On April 6, 1652, Dutch merchant Jan van Riebeeck established a resupply camp at the Cape Town. This marked their first settlement in the area.
  • The said camp of the Dutch East India Company provided food and water to explorers.
  • Huguenots were sent to the Cape of Good Hope in December 1687 from the Netherlands. These were the Protestant people who followed the teachings of Calvin during the 16th and 17th centuries, and escaped France from religious persecution. They worked for the Dutch East India Company as farmers.
  • On January 19, 1806, the Cape was occupied by the United Kingdom. It was ceded to them by virtue of the Anglo-Dutch Treaty in 1814.

BIODIVERSITY IN CAPE OF GOOD HOPE

  • UNESCO has officially designated the Cape Peninsula as a World Heritage Site. Even though Africa has 0.5 percent of areas with plant life, these are mostly located in the Cape Floral Region.
  • The plant that is common in the Cape is fynbos, although the area has a lot of unique plant species.
  • Park rangers from the Table Mountain National Park, which is found in the Cape, have been removing pests.
  • Birds also prevail in the Cape region. In fact, the cape gannet, the African black oystercatcher, and jackass penguins are present on the shores of the region.
  • People frequently visit False Bay from February to August to see birds more closely, especially penguins that are breeding. More tourists are coming to the area with the richness of wildlife.
  • Aside from birds, there are cape mountain zebras that can be seen in the region. Baboons, antelopes, and elephants are also present. The Cape is also a perfect place to see whales and dolphins.

OTHER FACTS ABOUT THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE

  • The Cape of Good Hope is at the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula, which is located at the western part of the False Bay. At the northern part of the peninsula, you will find Table Bay.
  • The entire southern part of the Cape Peninsula is characterized to be a wild, scenic, rugged, and protected national park. In fact, it is one of the protected areas declared by UNESCO.
  • The Cape of Good Hope has its fair share of legends. It served as the legendary home of The Flying Dutchman. It is a ghost ship that is said to be doomed since no one was successfully able to round the area when sailors see them.
  • Also, a Portuguese poet, Luis de Camoes, created a Greek mythological character named Adamastor, who was depicted as a strong force of nature that explorers had to confront as they explore the uncharted territories of the region.
  • Aside from Dias, Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama also crossed the Cape of Good Hope to continue his expedition to India. Dias had helped them construct the ships, Sao Gabriel and Sao Rafael.

Cape of Good Hope Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Cape of Good Hope across 17 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Cape of Good Hope worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Cape of Good Hope which is a rocky promontory (high point of rock or land that is projected into a body of water) that is near Cape Town in South Africa. Traditionally, it is regarded as the land where the two oceans, the Indian and the Atlantic, meet. But modern geographers said that it was Cape Agulhas that divides these two oceans, which is located about 90 miles southeast of the area.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Cape of Good Hope Facts
  • Fascinating Facts
  • Know More on Cape Town
  • Da Gama and Dias
  • European Explorations
  • Mapping Expeditions
  • Biodiversity in the Cape
  • De Camoes and Adamastor
  • Strange Stories
  • Painting the Cape
  • 3-2-1

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Link will appear as Cape of Good Hope Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, September 11, 2019

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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