The Skeleton Coast is located along the northern part of Namibia's Atlantic coast, extending from the Kunene River to the Swakop River, just south of Angola. This region, sometimes referred to as the entire Namib Desert coast, was named "The Land God Made in Anger" by the indigenous San people and "The Gates of Hell" by Portuguese sailors. The cold Benguela current creates dense ocean fogs, known as cassimbo, throughout much of the year, while the inhospitable climate features minimal rainfall and heavy surf on the beaches. The landscape consists primarily of soft sand and rocky outcrops, with southern areas characterized by gravel plains and northern regions dominated by towering sand dunes, making Skeleton Bay a popular surfing destination. In terms of history, one of the oldest shipwrecks in the area is that of the Bom Jesus, which ran aground in the 1530s, while the British cargo liner Dunedin Star met a similar fate in 1942, leading to a dramatic rescue operation. More recently, in March 2018, a Japanese fishing vessel ran aground near Durissa Bay, but all crew members were safely rescued. The Skeleton Coast National Park encompasses 16,000 square kilometers of coastline and adjacent deserts, designated as a wilderness area in the northern half. This park is home to notable features such as the clay castles of the Hoarusib River and large brown fur seal colonies at Cape Fria. The unique wildlife, adapted to the extreme aridity, is highlighted in various documentaries, with native succulent plants relying on sea fogs for moisture and supporting a diverse food chain. The region is also inhabited by species like bush elephants, lions, and black rhinoceros, which thrive in this challenging environment.