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 . One type of promontory is a headland , or head.
10-556: Crown Point (also known historically as Thor's Heights or Thor's Crown ) is a basalt promontory on the Columbia River Gorge and an associated state park in the U.S. state of Oregon . It is located in eastern Multnomah County , approximately 15 miles (24 km) east of Portland . Crown Point is one of the scenic lookouts along the Historic Columbia River Highway , providing a panoramic view of part of
20-422: A circle around Crown Point. It functions as a 7-foot-wide [2.1 m] sidewalk and curb with a 4-foot-high [1.2 m] parapet wall on the outside of a 24-foot [7.3 m] roadway cut into the rock formation. A dry masonry retaining wall stabilizes the hillside above and below the viaduct and masonry parapet walls that ring Vista House . Promontory Located at the edge of a landmass , promontories offer
30-548: 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
40-475: A retaining wall which encircle the tight loop of roadway around Vista House (1918). The viaduct is a contributing structure in the National Historic Landmarked and National Register of Historic Places -listed Historic Columbia River Highway . Per the 2000 NHL nomination of the highway: This 560-foot [170 m] spiral viaduct was constructed of reinforced concrete and runs for 225 degrees of
50-571: 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. This article about geography terminology is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Ras Bar Balla Ras Bar Balla ( Somali : Raas Bar Balla ) is a historic town in the southern Lower Juba region of Somalia . An ancient area of occupation, Ras Bar Balla
60-415: Is situated on a small promontory . The settlement contains two tombs : one decorated with rectangular panels, the other plain in design. Today, it is mainly used as a resting place for Somali herders and their flock. It is believed to date back to the powerful Ajuran Empire . This Somalia location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This African archaeology article
70-718: 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
80-538: The Columbia River . It stands 733 feet (223 m) above the river and is the remains of a lava flow that filled the ancestral channel of the Columbia River 14 to 17 million years ago. The Point was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971. The 1918 Art Nouveau style Vista House is an observatory at Crown Point that also serves as a memorial to Oregon pioneers and as a comfort station for travelers on
90-571: The Historic Columbia River Highway . The site, on a rocky promontory, is 733 feet (223 m) above the Columbia River on the south side of the Columbia River Gorge . The building shows great sensitivity to its site in the Columbia River Gorge near Corbett , and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places . The Crown Point Viaduct , built in 1914, is a viaduct consisting of an elevated sidewalk supported by columns and
100-405: 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
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