In geography, a cape is a headland or a promontory of large size extending into a body of water, usually the sea. A cape usually represents a marked change in trend of the coastline, often making them important landmarks in sea navigation. This also makes them prone to natural forms of erosion, mainly tidal actions, which results in them having a relatively short geological lifespan. Capes can be formed by glaciers, volcanoes, and changes in sea level. Erosion plays a large role in each of these methods of formation. List of some well-known capes Gallery See also Extreme points of Africa Extreme points of Asia Extreme points of Europe Extreme points of North America Extreme points of South America References External links Coastal geography Cape Coastal and oceanic landforms Oceanographical terminology