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Taraf al-Gharb
Jul. 9th, 2005 03:21 pmYou've all heard of it, some of you have even visited it but did you ever know that one of the world's most famous names was derived from the Arabic for Cape of the West?
In 1805, the British Royal Navy defeated Napoleon's combined French and Spanish forces off the South-West coast of Spain. In Spanish the area is known as Cabo Trafalgar. Most of us identify that name with a popular-tourist spot in Central London.
I also found it interesting that the area used to be the site of the King's Mews (stables) since the time of King Edward I in the 13th century! In fact, even when the square was built to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar the original name was to be: "King William the Fourth's Square."
How's that for a quick lesson in history. :)
In 1805, the British Royal Navy defeated Napoleon's combined French and Spanish forces off the South-West coast of Spain. In Spanish the area is known as Cabo Trafalgar. Most of us identify that name with a popular-tourist spot in Central London.
I also found it interesting that the area used to be the site of the King's Mews (stables) since the time of King Edward I in the 13th century! In fact, even when the square was built to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar the original name was to be: "King William the Fourth's Square."
How's that for a quick lesson in history. :)
