North Eastern Atlantic

The open Atlantic south of Cape São Vicente lies on the approaches to the Gulf of Cádiz. The cape marks a turn in the Portuguese coast, from the exposed western shore to the south-facing Algarve. In 1797 British and Spanish fleets met off this southwestern headland, where John Jervis's British ships defeated their larger opponent. Sailors rounding the cape encountered a stretch of sea that linked the Atlantic with the ports and narrow entrance of the western Mediterranean.