Cape Lopez

Cape Lopez (French: Cap Lopez) is a headland on the coast of Gabon, west central Africa. The westernmost point of Gabon, it separates the Gulf of Guinea from the South Atlantic Ocean.[1] Cape Lopez is the northernmost point of a low, wooded island between two mouths of the Ogooué River.[2] There is an oil terminal at the southeast side of the cape, and the seaport of Port-Gentil lies about 10 km southeast of the cape.[2] A lighthouse has existed on the Cape since 1897; the current tower was built in 1911, but has been inactive for many years and is in danger of collapsing from erosion.[3]

Map of Gabon, with Cape Lopez on the extreme left.

It is named after the Portuguese explorer Lopes Gonçalves, who reached it circa 1474. In 1602, the Dutch explorer and writer Pieter de Marees published some images of its people.

  • Inhabitants of Kaap de Lopo Gonsalves, 1602
    Inhabitants of Kaap de Lopo Gonsalves, 1602

See also

References
  1. "Limits of Oceans and Seas, 3rd edition" (PDF). International Hydrographic Organization. 1953. p. 19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  2. Sailing Directions (Enroute), Pub. 123: Southwest Coast of Africa (PDF). Sailing Directions. United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. 2017. p. 69.
  3. Phare du Cap Lopez

0.633°S 8.700°E / -0.633; 8.700


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