Fondly known as the ‘mother city’ and located on the Western Cape of South Africa, the city of Cape Town is the very heart and soul of South Africa. Founded in 1652, it is the only major business district in South Africa and with a population of over 3,500,000, it is also the largest. Cradled in the arms of the imposing Table Mountain and surrounded by two oceans, Cape Town is part of a beautiful and diverse landscape. Both its population and architecture are extremely diverse and encompass influences from the Indonesian, French, Dutch, British, and German settlers as well as the native Afrikaners who inhabit the Western Cape of South Africa.
The landscape of Cape Town is staggering. The Table Top mountain, which rises over 3,000 feet above the city bowl, provides a vantage point in which to view both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, the world famous beaches, the forests, the vineyards and the historic architecture that inhabits the landscape. The weather in the Western Cape of South Africa is mild year round, but does get a bit cool in the winter season, which runs from May to September.
This includes the suburbs, which are scattered around the entire mountain. Here, you will find the residential neighborhoods of Cape Town, which are truly diverse and representative of the different cultures of the Western Cape of South Africa. There is plenty of local shopping here, as well as trendy restaurants and the largest collection of Cape Dutch style architecture in the entire world.
Cape Town is full of things to do and see. While this city is best known for diamond shopping, whale watching, and the exclusive beaches of the Western Cape of South Africa, there are important historical sites to visit as well. Attractions like Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held captive for his protests of apartheid, have become symbols of hope for the future generations of Cape Town.
This is important, because apartheid, which was introduced in 1948, had long kept the Western Cape of South Africa from realizing its potential as a world class venue. Since apartheid’s decline and the release of Nelson Mandela and other protestors, Cape Town has experienced phenomenal economic growth.
Tourism, manufacturing, mining, drilling for oil, and the importing and exporting of goods are driving the economic boom in the Western Cape of South Africa. Many major companies now have headquarters in Cape Town, and the real estate market is thriving.
Cape Town is also the center of the educational system on the Western Cape of South Africa. The University of Cape Town and the Stellenbosch University are located here and are the leading universities in South Africa.
Cape Town is not just the most well known city in the Western Cape of South Africa; it is one of the most well-known cities in the world. It has survived an incredible political history to become a model for the world of how to overcome intolerance and succeed in spite of political setbacks. The Western Cape of South Africa can now be proud of Cape Town - one of the most fascinating and beautiful cities on earth.
