Africa

Robben Island Lighthouse

Cape Town, South Africa

Roben Island Lighthouse is 11 kilometers from Cape Town, South Africa.  The lighthouse is located on the highest point of the island, Minta Hill, which is 30 meters above sea level.  It has a beam that can be seen up to 25 kilometers away.  It had a light of 464000 candlepower before they converted it to electricity in 1938.

The lighthouse has guided ships and sailors through the dangerous waters and has also been used by seafarers and colonists as a whaling station, hospital, mental asylum, and military base.  It was a jail for many years and, in fact, President Mandela was held there for a very long time.

( Our thanks to Seamount Primary School in South Africa for the information and picture.)

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