Cabo da Roca (Portuguese: [ˈkaβu ðɐ ˈʁɔkɐ]) or Cape Roca is a cape which forms the westernmost point of the Sintra Mountain Range, of mainland Portugal, of continental Europe, and of the Eurasian landmass. It is situated in the municipality of Sintra, near Azóia, in the south west of the Lisbon District. Notably, the point includes a lighthouse that started operation in 1772.
| Cape Roca | |
|---|---|
 The Cabo da Roca lighthouse, overlooking the promontory towards the Atlantic Ocean | |
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Cabo da Roca, Sintra-Cascais Natural Park |
| Elevation | 140 m (460 ft) |
| Coordinates | 38°46′51″N 9°30′2″W / 38.78083°N 9.50056°W |
| Naming | |
| Etymology | Roca: Portuguese for sea cliff |
| Native name | Cabo da Roca (Portuguese) |
| Geography | |
  Cape Roca The location of Cabo da Roca in continental Portugal | |
| Country | Portugal |
| Region | Lisboa |
| District | Lisbon |
| Municipality | Sintra |
| Parent range | Serra da Sintra |
History
Cabo da Roca was known to the Romans as Promontorium Magnum and during the Age of Sail as the Rock of Lisbon.
Lighthouse
Geography
The cape is within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, 42 kilometres west of the city of Lisbon and in the southwest of Sintra. A location (38°47′N 9°30′W / 38.783°N 9.500°W) is inscribed on a stone plaque, located on a monument at the site.
The western coast is a mixture of sandy beaches and rocky cliff promontories: around Cabo da Roca, cliffs are more than 100 metres in height, and cut into crystalline rocks, composed of strongly folded and faulted sedimentary units. These forms are disturbed by dikes and small beaches. This promontory of "high" beaches is the extreme western immersion of the ancient eruptive Sintra massif, as evident from the rose-coloured granite in the north and syenite of the Ribeira do Louriçal in the south. In the vicinity of the Cape, there are geomorphological examples of gabbro-diorite, volcanic breccia, and granite.
Part of the granite formations show evidence of strong coastal erosion, while in other areas there are limestone deposits embedded in the granite.
Much of the vegetation on this cape is low-lying and adapted to saltwater and windy conditions. Once home to a variety of plant life, Cabo da Roca has been overrun with the invasive plant species Carpobrotus edulis. This creeping, mat-forming plant, a member of the Aizoaceae succulent family, was introduced as ground cover by local residents several decades ago, but now covers much of the arable land on Cabo da Roca.
Many migratory and marine birds roost temporarily along the cliffs and protected coves of the coastal area.
Climate
The climate present at Cape Roca is extremely moderated by the ocean. Due to seasonal upwelling, the area comprising the cape has cool, stable summers with little to no rainfall but very common occurrences of fog which boosts the humidity and decreases insolation. Summer is also the windiest season of the year with July and August averaging around 15 km/h (9.3 mph). On the other hand, winters are rainy and have mild temperatures especially during the night, though the amount of precipitation received in this season is unparalleled with other places nearby such as the Sintra Mountains which can receive triple that precipitation. Due to the seasonal lag, September is the warmest month.
| Climate data for Cabo da Roca (Lighthouse), 1961–1990 normals, 1940–1966 sun hours, altitude: 142 m (466 ft) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 14.0 (57.2) | 13.8 (56.8) | 15.5 (59.9) | 15.9 (60.6) | 17.0 (62.6) | 19.2 (66.6) | 20.2 (68.4) | 20.7 (69.3) | 21.1 (70.0) | 19.4 (66.9) | 16.6 (61.9) | 14.6 (58.3) | 17.3 (63.2) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 11.6 (52.9) | 11.6 (52.9) | 12.5 (54.5) | 13.3 (55.9) | 14.5 (58.1) | 16.5 (61.7) | 17.6 (63.7) | 17.9 (64.2) | 18.1 (64.6) | 16.7 (62.1) | 14.1 (57.4) | 12.1 (53.8) | 14.7 (58.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 9.3 (48.7) | 9.3 (48.7) | 10.0 (50.0) | 10.7 (51.3) | 11.5 (52.7) | 13.8 (56.8) | 15.0 (59.0) | 15.1 (59.2) | 15.1 (59.2) | 14.0 (57.2) | 11.6 (52.9) | 9.6 (49.3) | 12.1 (53.7) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 63 (2.5) | 67 (2.6) | 52 (2.0) | 41 (1.6) | 32 (1.3) | 15 (0.6) | 2 (0.1) | 5 (0.2) | 23 (0.9) | 61 (2.4) | 92 (3.6) | 60 (2.4) | 513 (20.2) |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 78 | 81 | 80 | 79 | 82 | 85 | 86 | 86 | 85 | 80 | 78 | 80 | 82 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 136.4 | 146.9 | 167.4 | 216.0 | 248.0 | 246.0 | 272.8 | 275.9 | 219.0 | 204.6 | 147.0 | 139.5 | 2,419.5 |
| Percent possible sunshine | 45 | 48 | 45 | 55 | 56 | 55 | 60 | 65 | 59 | 59 | 49 | 47 | 54 |
| Source: IPMA | |||||||||||||
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabo da Roca | 13.5 | 14.1 | 13.6 | 13.0 | 13.0 | 13.7 | 15.0 | 15.2 | 13.6 | 13.6 | 13.7 | 13.8 | 13.8 |
See also
- Extreme points of Europe
- Cape Finisterre
- Pointe de Corsen
- Cape Nordkinn
- Land's End
Notes
- Fonseca, António Oliveira (November 2010), Relatório da Visita ao Parque Natural Sintra-Cascais (PDF) (in Portuguese), Lisbon, Portugal: Universidade Aberta, archived from the original (PDF) on 24 April 2012, retrieved 28 September 2011
- Scheffers, Anja; Kelletat, Dieter (2005), "Tsunami Relics on the Coastal Landscape West of Lisbon, Portugal", Science of Tsunami Hazards (PDF), vol. 23, Essen, Germany: University of Duisburg-Essen, pp. 3–16, retrieved 28 September 2011
References
- "Cape Roca". Encyclopædia Britannica. 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- "NGA List of Lights". Maritime Safety Information. Springfield, Virginia: U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
- Costa, Patricia (2004). SIPA (ed.). "Farol do Cabo da Roca" (in Portuguese). Lisbon, Portugal: SIPA – Sistema de Informação para o Património Arquitectónico.
- Anja Scheffers and Dieter Kelletat (2005), p. 6
- António Oliveira Fonseca (2010), p. 11
- "IPMA - Monitorização diária". www.ipma.pt. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
- Domingos, Sónia Isabel Sequeira (2008). "Microclimatologia do Município de Sintra com base em estações meteorológicas". Retrieved 5 June 2021.
External links
- Panoramic view of Cabo da Roca
Cabo da Roca Portuguese ˈkabu dɐ ˈʁɔkɐ or Cape Roca is a cape which forms the westernmost point of the Sintra Mountain Range of mainland Portugal of continental Europe and of the Eurasian landmass It is situated in the municipality of Sintra near Azoia in the south west of the Lisbon District Notably the point includes a lighthouse that started operation in 1772 Cape RocaThe Cabo da Roca lighthouse overlooking the promontory towards the Atlantic OceanHighest pointPeakCabo da Roca Sintra Cascais Natural ParkElevation140 m 460 ft Coordinates38 46 51 N 9 30 2 W 38 78083 N 9 50056 W 38 78083 9 50056NamingEtymologyRoca Portuguese for sea cliffNative nameCabo da Roca Portuguese GeographyCape RocaThe location of Cabo da Roca in continental PortugalCountryPortugalRegionLisboaDistrictLisbonMunicipalitySintraParent rangeSerra da SintraHistoryCabo da Roca was known to the Romans as Promontorium Magnum and during the Age of Sail as the Rock of Lisbon Lighthouse This section is an excerpt from Cabo da Roca Lighthouse edit The Cabo da Roca Lighthouse Portuguese Farol do Cabo da Roca is a beacon lighthouse located 165 metres 541 ft above the Atlantic Ocean on Portugal s and continental Europe s most westerly extent It is located in the civil parish of Colares in the municipality of Sintra situated on a promontory made up of granite boulders and interspersed limestone It is a third order lighthouse which originally began operating in 1772 It was the first new purpose built lighthouse to be constructed in the country the older lighthouses in existence at that time were constructed on existing platforms or from pre existing beacons GeographyMonument announcing Cabo da Roca as the westernmost point of continental EuropeGranite boulders and sea cliffs along the coast north of the capeInvasive Carpobrotus edulis growing on the cape plateauThe shoreline at Cabo da Roca The cape is within the Sintra Cascais Natural Park 42 kilometres west of the city of Lisbon and in the southwest of Sintra A location 38 47 N 9 30 W 38 783 N 9 500 W 38 783 9 500 is inscribed on a stone plaque located on a monument at the site The western coast is a mixture of sandy beaches and rocky cliff promontories around Cabo da Roca cliffs are more than 100 metres in height and cut into crystalline rocks composed of strongly folded and faulted sedimentary units These forms are disturbed by dikes and small beaches This promontory of high beaches is the extreme western immersion of the ancient eruptive Sintra massif as evident from the rose coloured granite in the north and syenite of the Ribeira do Lourical in the south In the vicinity of the Cape there are geomorphological examples of gabbro diorite volcanic breccia and granite Part of the granite formations show evidence of strong coastal erosion while in other areas there are limestone deposits embedded in the granite Much of the vegetation on this cape is low lying and adapted to saltwater and windy conditions Once home to a variety of plant life Cabo da Roca has been overrun with the invasive plant species Carpobrotus edulis This creeping mat forming plant a member of the Aizoaceae succulent family was introduced as ground cover by local residents several decades ago but now covers much of the arable land on Cabo da Roca Many migratory and marine birds roost temporarily along the cliffs and protected coves of the coastal area Climate The climate present at Cape Roca is extremely moderated by the ocean Due to seasonal upwelling the area comprising the cape has cool stable summers with little to no rainfall but very common occurrences of fog which boosts the humidity and decreases insolation Summer is also the windiest season of the year with July and August averaging around 15 km h 9 3 mph On the other hand winters are rainy and have mild temperatures especially during the night though the amount of precipitation received in this season is unparalleled with other places nearby such as the Sintra Mountains which can receive triple that precipitation Due to the seasonal lag September is the warmest month Climate data for Cabo da Roca Lighthouse 1961 1990 normals 1940 1966 sun hours altitude 142 m 466 ft Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec YearMean daily maximum C F 14 0 57 2 13 8 56 8 15 5 59 9 15 9 60 6 17 0 62 6 19 2 66 6 20 2 68 4 20 7 69 3 21 1 70 0 19 4 66 9 16 6 61 9 14 6 58 3 17 3 63 2 Daily mean C F 11 6 52 9 11 6 52 9 12 5 54 5 13 3 55 9 14 5 58 1 16 5 61 7 17 6 63 7 17 9 64 2 18 1 64 6 16 7 62 1 14 1 57 4 12 1 53 8 14 7 58 5 Mean daily minimum C F 9 3 48 7 9 3 48 7 10 0 50 0 10 7 51 3 11 5 52 7 13 8 56 8 15 0 59 0 15 1 59 2 15 1 59 2 14 0 57 2 11 6 52 9 9 6 49 3 12 1 53 7 Average precipitation mm inches 63 2 5 67 2 6 52 2 0 41 1 6 32 1 3 15 0 6 2 0 1 5 0 2 23 0 9 61 2 4 92 3 6 60 2 4 513 20 2 Average relative humidity 78 81 80 79 82 85 86 86 85 80 78 80 82Mean monthly sunshine hours 136 4 146 9 167 4 216 0 248 0 246 0 272 8 275 9 219 0 204 6 147 0 139 5 2 419 5Percent possible sunshine 45 48 45 55 56 55 60 65 59 59 49 47 54Source IPMA Average wind speed km h 1961 1990 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec YearCabo da Roca 13 5 14 1 13 6 13 0 13 0 13 7 15 0 15 2 13 6 13 6 13 7 13 8 13 8See alsoExtreme points of Europe Cape Finisterre Pointe de Corsen Cape Nordkinn Land s EndNotesWikimedia Commons has media related to Cabo da Roca Fonseca Antonio Oliveira November 2010 Relatorio da Visita ao Parque Natural Sintra Cascais PDF in Portuguese Lisbon Portugal Universidade Aberta archived from the original PDF on 24 April 2012 retrieved 28 September 2011 Scheffers Anja Kelletat Dieter 2005 Tsunami Relics on the Coastal Landscape West of Lisbon Portugal Science of Tsunami Hazards PDF vol 23 Essen Germany University of Duisburg Essen pp 3 16 retrieved 28 September 2011References Cape Roca Encyclopaedia Britannica 2008 Retrieved 20 August 2024 NGA List of Lights Maritime Safety Information Springfield Virginia U S National Geospatial Intelligence Agency NGA 2011 Retrieved 18 July 2011 Costa Patricia 2004 SIPA ed Farol do Cabo da Roca in Portuguese Lisbon Portugal SIPA Sistema de Informacao para o Patrimonio Arquitectonico Anja Scheffers and Dieter Kelletat 2005 p 6 Antonio Oliveira Fonseca 2010 p 11 IPMA Monitorizacao diaria www ipma pt Retrieved 5 June 2021 Domingos Sonia Isabel Sequeira 2008 Microclimatologia do Municipio de Sintra com base em estacoes meteorologicas Retrieved 5 June 2021 External linksPanoramic view of Cabo da Roca
