A promontory is a raised mass of land that projects into a lowland or a body of water (in which case it is a peninsula). Most promontories either are formed from a hard ridge of rock that has resisted the erosive forces that have removed the softer rock to the sides of it, or are the high ground that remains between two river valleys where they form a confluence. A headland, or head, is a type of promontory.
Located at the edge of a landmass, promontories offer a natural defense against enemies, as they are often surrounded by water and difficult to access. Many ancient and modern forts and castles have been built on promontories for this reason.
One of the most famous examples of promontory forts is the Citadel of Namur in Belgium. Located at the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers, the citadel has been a prime fortified location since the 10th century. The surrounding rivers act as a natural moat, making it difficult for enemies to access the fort.
Another example of a promontory fort is Fort Pitt, which was built by the English during the American Revolution on the site of the former Fort Duquesne, which belonged to the French during the French and Indian War. The fort was located at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, providing an additional layer of defense. The surrounding area eventually became the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
In Ireland, many promontory forts were built by the ancient Celts for defense against invaders. These forts were often located on isolated peninsulas or headlands and were difficult to access, making them ideal for defending against enemy attacks.
The ancient town of Ras Bar Balla in southern Somalia is another example of a promontory fort. Located on a small promontory, the town was part of the Ajuran Sultanate's domain during the Middle Ages and was strategically located to defend against potential invaders.[1]
See alsoedit
Isthmus – Narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas
Referencesedit
^Sanseverino, Hilary Costa (1983). "Archaeological Remains on the Southern Somali Coast". Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa. 18 (1): 151–164. doi:10.1080/00672708309511319.
External linksedit
The dictionary definition of promontory at Wiktionary
promontory, other, uses, disambiguation, promontory, raised, mass, land, that, projects, into, lowland, body, water, which, case, peninsula, most, promontories, either, formed, from, hard, ridge, rock, that, resisted, erosive, forces, that, have, removed, soft. For other uses see Promontory disambiguation A promontory is a raised mass of land that projects into a lowland or a body of water in which case it is a peninsula Most promontories either are formed from a hard ridge of rock that has resisted the erosive forces that have removed the softer rock to the sides of it or are the high ground that remains between two river valleys where they form a confluence A headland or head is a type of promontory A promontory on Lake Baikal Russia Contents 1 Promontories in history 2 See also 3 References 4 External linksPromontories in history editLocated at the edge of a landmass promontories offer a natural defense against enemies as they are often surrounded by water and difficult to access Many ancient and modern forts and castles have been built on promontories for this reason nbsp The Citadel of Namur with the Meuse and the Parliament of Wallonia in the foregroundOne of the most famous examples of promontory forts is the Citadel of Namur in Belgium Located at the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers the citadel has been a prime fortified location since the 10th century The surrounding rivers act as a natural moat making it difficult for enemies to access the fort Another example of a promontory fort is Fort Pitt which was built by the English during the American Revolution on the site of the former Fort Duquesne which belonged to the French during the French and Indian War The fort was located at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers providing an additional layer of defense The surrounding area eventually became the city of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania In Ireland many promontory forts were built by the ancient Celts for defense against invaders These forts were often located on isolated peninsulas or headlands and were difficult to access making them ideal for defending against enemy attacks The ancient town of Ras Bar Balla in southern Somalia is another example of a promontory fort Located on a small promontory the town was part of the Ajuran Sultanate s domain during the Middle Ages and was strategically located to defend against potential invaders 1 See also editIsthmus Narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areasReferences edit Sanseverino Hilary Costa 1983 Archaeological Remains on the Southern Somali Coast Azania Archaeological Research in Africa 18 1 151 164 doi 10 1080 00672708309511319 External links edit nbsp The dictionary definition of promontory at Wiktionary nbsp This article about geography terminology is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Promontory amp oldid 1180708266, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
