Closest Point Between Africa and South America

Transatlantic Proximity: Africa to South America

The shortest distance between the African and South American continents is between:

Geographic Details

• Cabo Verde: Archipelago 570 km west of Senegal; 10 volcanic islands
• Natal: Capital of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil; "City of the Sun"
• Coordinates: Cabo Verde (~16°N, 24°W) → Natal (~5°S, 35°W)
• Great Circle Path: Crosses equator; follows South Atlantic currents

Historical Significance

• Volta do Mar: Portuguese navigators used this route (15th C)
• Trade Winds: NE trades (N) → SE trades (S) – efficient sailing
• South Atlantic Cable: First telegraph (1874) – Carcavelos (PT) → Pernambuco (BR) via Cabo Verde
• WWII: Critical air/sea route; US bases on Cabo Verde (1942 agreement)

Modern Connections

• Flights: No direct; connect via Lisbon (TAP), Casablanca (RAM), or São Paulo (GRU)
• Shipping: Major lane – Cape Town ↔ Santos/Rio; transit ~12–15 days
• Data: SAT-3/WASC/SAFE cable (2001) – Europe–Africa–Asia; South America via separate systems
• 2Africa Cable (2023–24): Meta-led; lands in Cabo Verde, Nigeria, Brazil – direct digital link

Other Close Pairs

Cabo Verde–Natal remains the absolute minimum. The South Atlantic narrows here due to the Brazil Current bulge and Cabo Verde Rise.