Cape Cod

Cape Cod (German "Kap Kabeljau") is an 878 km² peninsula in southeastern Massachusetts in the USA.

Together with some small islands like Monomoy Island, Monomoscoy Island, Popponesset Island and Seconsett Island Cape Cod forms the Barnstable County.

Cape Cod got its name in 1602 by the English explorer Bartholomew Gosnold, who was impressed by the size of the cod grounds (English cod for cod). In 1620, the Pilgrims disembarked in one of New England's largest and safest natural harbors, now Provincetown Harbor. Cape Cod became part of the Plymouth Colony they founded. In 1797, the first lighthouse, the Cape Cod Highland Light, was built. In 1914, a canal - the Cape Cod Canal - was built. The long peninsula was thus separated from the mainland and the passage from Cape Cod Bay to Buzzards Bay and Long Island Sound was facilitated.

On Cape Cod, Air Force Space Command maintains a PAVE-PAWS network radar station at Otis Air National Guard Base to detect submarine-launched ballistic missile launches in the Atlantic Ocean. Woods Hole is home to several marine research facilities.

Today, tourism is an important economic factor along with fishing. The Cape Cod National Seashore is located here.

In the Atlantic Ocean, 113 nautical miles (equivalent to about 210 kilometers) southeast of Cape Cod, is the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.

Tourism

Cape Cod has a year-round population of about 220,000 and experiences a peak tourist season each summer, roughly between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Many businesses cater specifically to summer visitors, although the vacation season has become somewhat longer in recent years due to "Indian Summer," reduced lodging rates, the number of people visiting the Cape after Labor Day who do not have school-age children, and older people - reducing the true "off-season" to six or seven months. In the late 20th century, tourists and second home owners increasingly visited the Cape in the spring and fall, softening and somewhat expanding the definition of the high season.

Provincetown is home to the original East Coast Dolphin Fleet, which patrols the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. The fleet guarantees a whale watch (primarily humpback, fin, minke, sei, and the endangered North Atlantic right whale) and is the only federally certified operation qualified to rescue whales. Provincetown has also long been known as an artists' colony, attracting writers and artists. The town is home to the Cape's most visited art museum, the Provincetown Art Association and Museum.

Cape Cod is a popular destination for beach vacationers from all over the world with a coastline of 900.6 km. Public and private beaches are easily accessible. The Cape has more than 60 public beaches, many of which offer parking for non-residents for a daily fee (in summer). The Cape Cod National Seashore has 64 km of sandy beach and many hiking trails.

Cape Cod is also popular for its outdoor activities such as beach walks, biking, boating, fishing, go-karts, golfing, kayaking, miniature golf and unique shopping. There are 27 public golf courses with daily fees and 15 private golf courses on Cape Cod. [49] Bed & breakfasts or cottages are commonly used for lodging.

Each summer, the Naukabout Music Festival is held at the Barnstable County Fair Grounds in East Falmouth, usually the first weekend in August. The festival features local, regional and national talent as well as food, art and family-friendly activities. Some particularly well-known products and industries on the Cape include cranberries, shellfish (especially oysters and clams), and lobster.

Cities

Upper Cape

• Bourne
• Falmouth
• Sandwich
• Mashpee

Middle Cape

• Barnstable
• Yarmouth
• Dennis

Lower Cape

• Brewster
• Harwich
• Chatham

Outer Cape

• Orleans
• Eastham
• Wellfleet
• Truro
• Provincetown