11-May-2002 --
After having visited 39°N/10°W we proceeded to the Southwestern tip of
Portugal, the Cabo de São Vicente, a beautiful offshore
point, which we reached at sunset.
Between the steep and rugged points of Cabo de São Vicente and Ponta do
Sagres (5.5 km SE) the coast is formed into a bay of inaccessible cliffs
broken by two small sandy beaches.
The W side of the cape is steep and precipitous, full of caves, such that
the noise produced by the sea breaking on it may be heard at some distance.
Gigante, a high isolated rock, lies close off the cape.
Pôrto da Baleeira is a small harbor, used mainly by fishing vessels and
recreational craft seeking shelter.
In Southern Portugal, too, the wind is used to generate electricity. On the
steep-to coast near Cabo do São Vicente the are several wind rotors.