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So let’s look at why everybody loves Cape Town. Table mountain; Most definitely the defining beacon of Cape Town’s cityscape, Table Mountain is in fact one of the most instantly recognisable landmarks in the world. Table Mountain from Blouberg Beachfront
- Overview
- The character of the city
Cape Town, city and seaport, legislative capital of South Africa and capital of Western Cape province. The city lies at the northern end of the Cape Peninsula some 30 miles (50 kilometres), at its southernmost boundary, north of the Cape of Good Hope. Because it was the site of the first European settlement in South Africa, Cape Town is known as the country’s “mother city.”
Cape Town has a beautiful setting: parts of the city and its suburbs wind about the steep slopes of Table Mountain (3,563 feet [1,086 metres] high) and neighbouring peaks and rim the shores of Table Bay; other parts lie on the flats below the slopes or stretch southward across the flats to False Bay. The city covers an area of 116 square miles (300 square kilometres). Pop. (2005 est.) urban agglom., 3,103,000.
The city of Cape Town had its origin in 1652, when the Dutch East India Company established a refreshment station for its ships on the shores of Table Bay. The location was magnificent, on well-watered, fertile soil, beneath the precipitous walls of Table Mountain. The indigenous inhabitants provided cattle but not labour, and the company imported slaves, mainly from East Africa, Madagascar, and the Bay of Bengal area. The slaves brought with them something of their culture and—especially in the case of the Muslims from the East Indies—their religion. Mixed-race unions took place, but strong racial and ethnic characteristics remained. In 1781 the French established a garrison to help the Dutch defend the city against British attack, and the French presence influenced local architecture and culture. British occupation in the 19th century brought new parliamentary and judicial concepts and freedom for the slaves. Cape Town was the gateway to Europe’s penetration of the South African interior, and close ties with continental Europe were maintained.
Today Cape Town is a modern city with high-rise office buildings and pedestrian malls. Although it is a major political and economic centre, its reputation still rests on its beautiful situation between mountain and sea, its cosmopolitan population, and the liberal outlook of many of its citizens.
Britannica Quiz
World Cities
- Eric Axelson
Apr 4, 2023 · South Africa’s most popular destination has the scenery, the wine and the adventure. Cape Town also has a turbulent past that, amid the problems of today, make it the multicutural city it is ...
If you think you need more persuasion to go or just some personal advice, here are 10 hand picked reasons why we think you MUST visit Cape Town, and soon! The Views: The western cape is undoubtably one of the most beautiful areas in the world.
- Table Mountain. Table Mountain is the most famous landmark in Cape Town. It is a mountain with a 3-kilometer flat plateau on the top, which makes it look like a – you guessed it – table.
- Boulders Beach. Ask anyone, young or old, what they would most like to do in Cape Town and you’re likely to get the same answer. See the penguins on the beach, of course!
- Bo-Kaap. The aptly named Bo-Kaap, which is Afrikaans for “above the Cape”, is a neighborhood located up the slopes of Signal Hill, above the rest of the city.
- Lion’s Head. If you were in Cape Town and didn’t take a selfie on the summit of Lion’s Head, were you even there? At 669 meters above sea level, Lion’s Head is a rocky peak not far from Table Mountain.
Here’s why my vote for the best city in the world goes to Cape Town – and why I think you should book a flight over right now. Or at least right after reading this article. 1. Stunning nature. At almost any location in or around Cape Town, you only have to look up to see the magnificent Table Mountain.
It is the country's oldest city and the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. [ 12 ] It is the country's second-largest city, after Johannesburg, and the largest in the Western Cape. [ 13 ] The city is part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality.
