South Cape of South America: description, photo

Great geographical discoveries occurred in an era when such an important science as cartography was not yet developed. It is for this reason that some errors were made in determining the coordinates of the capes at the edge of the continents. So, the "backyard" of South America is Cape Horn. It was for a long time that it was considered the southernmost point on the map.

However, the extreme continental point is still another cape. It's called Frouword. This is the southernmost tip of South America. This fact is recognized all over the world. About him and about some geographical errors will be discussed further.

The end of the world

Tourists from all over the world are attracted to the extreme points of the continents. In South America, for example, Cape Horn was previously considered the southernmost mainland point. It was opened on 29.01.1616 and for a long time mistakenly treated the extreme point of the continent. However, science does not stand still. After the appearance of the possibility to determine the coordinates with less error, it became clear that there is another cape, which is south of the Horn.

Today, the southernmost cape of America is called Frowward (Froward). This geographical "edge of the world" is located in Chile, on the peninsula of Brunswick. However, this is not the most extreme point of this part of the world.

To the south of the peninsula is a small archipelago. The total area of its islands does not exceed 1 km². This is where the southernmost point lies. It is located 100 km south-west from the famous Cape Horn on the islands with the romantic name Diego-Ramirez.

Coordinates

To understand why Cape Horn is not the furthest point, it is necessary to consider the coordinates of the capes of South America. This will clarify this issue.

The location of the famous Cape Horn today is very precise. So, its extreme point is at 50º59'S. latitude and 67º17'W longitude. Looking at the map, you can see that Cape Frowward is at 53º54'S. latitude and 71º20'W. longitude. This explains why Cape Horn can not be considered the most extreme continental point of South America.

For tourists, the westernmost point of South America is Cape Parinhas, which is located at 4º40'S and 81º20'W longitude. The easternmost point is the Cape of Cabo Branco 7º10'S. lat. And 34º47'W. longitude. Tours for tourists are constantly being made here.

If we consider the coordinates of the islands of the most remote archipelago, then you can find here the islands of Diego-Ramirez. The coordinates of the southernmost point are 56º30'S. latitude and 68º43'W longitude. If we look at these data, it becomes clear that Cape Horn is really located, even a little, but to the north.

Cape Horn

So, the more northerly Cape of South America called Horn is located on the edge of the mainland. Its discovery occurred more than 400 years ago. He was given the name in honor of the city in Holland Horn. Here was born and lived seafarer William Cornelis Schouten. It was in 1616 that he was able to circle this land.

The name of the ship, on which the first navigators circled the famous cape, was also Horn. On it travelers could get to Patagonia. The ship remained in these waters, because it had a fire.

In general, here is one of the most famous cemeteries of ships. The route between the Atlantic and the Pacific is known for its terrible storms and fogs. Over half a century (1877-1927), more than 80 ships sank here. And the way through the Drake Pass was once the only route that allows seafarers to get to the Atlantic Ocean. Sometimes the swim along Cape Horn was delayed for weeks or even months.

Interesting Facts

By the way, earlier only the South America provided the way to the Atlantic Ocean. Cape Horn was considered the only route by which traders and seafarers could leave the waters of the Pacific and circumvent the continent. Only in 1920 the Panama Canal was built.

Until then, all the travels had passed exactly along the described capricious promontory, since the northern path through the Arctic Ocean made it impossible to go by sea to the Atlantic. The shipping channel was too narrow, and the ships could not maneuver in these waters. The strong counter current, which is defined here, also prevented a journey through the Arctic Ocean.

For this reason, the discoverers, navigators and simple traders had to go around Cape Horn. There were also many difficulties here. However, only having overcome them, the sailors could continue their journey.

The harsh character of the southern "edge of the earth"

The extreme capes of South America are located in troubled waters, which greatly complicates the path of ships from the Pacific to the Atlantic. Here in the east direction there is a strong current. Mixing cold and warm air masses happens often in this area. As a result, cyclones are formed. They carry rain, hurricanes and storms. Bad weather in this part of the ocean reigns 285 days a year, because of what often the path of seafarers lies through the fog.

Due to its inaccessibility, the southern capes of America are overgrown with many legends and legends. Previously, sailors who rounded Cape Horn had the right to wear a gold earring. She was put on her left ear. Today the waters of the "edge of the earth" are as restless as they were before. Therefore, many modern sailors still challenge the natural elements.

Cape Horn, which describes such famous writers as Jules Verne and Edgar Alan Poe, in their opinion, is one of the most turbulent and wild places on our planet. This is what attracts seafarers and adventurers today.

Cape Frowward

The southernmost tip of South America Frouord is in the Magellanic Strait. Translated from English, its name sounds like "recalcitrant", "self-willed" and "unfavorable". This name was given to the cape in 1587. The famous pirate T. Kandwish passed by these lands, trying to overcome severe weather conditions. It was because of the difficulties that seafarers caught near the shores of Cape Frowward that the name was given to this land.

Today, tourists arriving on the peninsula, can see here a large cross of metal. It was built in 1987, coinciding with the opening for the visit to Chile of the Pope. People do not live here, only a lighthouse was built on the opposite side of the cape. Before the nearest settlement people will have to drive about 40 km to the north.

Diego-Ramirez Islands

The most distant southern cape of South America, as was said above, is not an extreme point in this direction. The islands of Diego-Ramirez are located to the south. Here is the southernmost point of this part of the world, like America.

This archipelago consists of several small islets, rocks, towering above the water surface. Their length is 5.5 nautical miles. The largest islands are Bartholomew and Gonzalo. On the latter there is a small weather station.

The vessel sails to these lands very rarely. At the meteorological station, no more than 5 employees live. Four of them are servicemen of the Chilean naval forces. There is also one scientist. They welcome rare tourists. The change on the island lasts 4 months. After that, a new team arrives in Gonzalo. Excursions here are also extremely rare. This requires special permission.

Having considered what is called and what is the southernmost tip of South America, it is possible to dispel all myths and erroneous opinions. It's a stormy, stormy world that is almost at the very edge of the world.