Cape Bojador
Cape Bojador (Arabic: رأس بوجادور, trans. Rā's Būjādūr; Berber languages: ⴱⵓⵊⴷⵓⵔ, Bujdur; Spanish and Portuguese: Cabo Bojador; French: Cap Boujdour) is a headland on the west coast of Western Sahara, at 26° 07' 37"N, 14° 29' 57"W (various sources give various locations: this is from the Sailing Directions for the region), as well as the name of the large nearby town with a population of 42,651. The name of the surrounding province also derives its name from the cape (Bojador Province).
Cape Bojador
بوجدور Cabo Bojador | |
|---|---|
Cape Bojador Location in Western Sahara Cape Bojador Cape Bojador (Africa) | |
| Coordinates: 26°08′N 14°30′W | |
| Territory | Western Sahara |
| Controlled by | Kingdom of Morocco |
| Claimed by |
|
| Population (2014) | |
| • Total | 42,651 |
The original name of the cape in Arabic is Abu Khaṭar (ابو خطر), meaning "father of danger". The Spanish pronunciation of "Bojador", /boxad̪or/, is similar. It is shown on nautical charts, media and academic research with the original Portuguese name "Cabo Bojador", sometimes spelled "Cape Boujdour". It is said that it is also known as the "Bulging Cape", although no references to this usage are to be found in standard geographical references.
The cape is not prominent on maps but may be located by looking 220 km (120 nautical miles) due south of the south-western point of the hook of Fuerteventura, Canary Islands.