Living in Cape Town
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NORTHERN SUBURBS |
NORTHERN SUBURBS MAP |
CAPE PENINSULA |
CAPE PENINSULA MAP |
Cape Town (Afrikaans: Kaapstad; Xhosa: iKapa) is the second most populous city in South Africa, forming part of the metropolitan municipality of the City of Cape Town. It is the provincial capital of the Western Cape, as well as the legislative capital of South Africa, where the National Parliament and many government offices are located. Cape Town is famous for its harbour as well as its natural setting in the Cape floral kingdom, including such well-known landmarks as Table Mountain and Cape Point. Often regarded as one of the world's most beautiful cities because of its geography, Cape Town is one of the most popular South African destinations for tourism.
Cape Town was originally developed as a victualling (supply) station for Dutch ships sailing to Eastern Africa, India, and the Far East more than 200 years before the construction of the Suez Canal in 1869. Jan van Riebeeck's arrival on 6 April 1652 established the first permanent European settlement in South Africa. Cape Town quickly outgrew its original purpose as the first European outpost at the Castle of Good Hope. It was the largest city in South Africa until the growth of Johannesburg and Durban.Cape Peninsula, in the south east corner of Africa, is indeed regarded by many as one of the most beautiful sights in the world. Cape Town, South Africa's mother city, nestles at the foot of Table Mountain, a unique flat top mountain rising out of the sea. At the tip of the peninsula is Cape Point. Set in one of the most stunning locations in the world, Table Mountain is probably the most enduring impression carried away by visitors to this beautiful city.
Here's what international publications have to say about our beautiful city.
"Best international value for money destination in the world", Conde Nast Reader's Travel Awards, October 2001
"The world's hottest winter sun spot", The London Sunday Times, September 2003
"Cape Town...one of the world's 8 new 'cultural meccas'", Newsweek,September 2002
"50 places to see before you die", Voted no. 5 in BBC Television, October 2002
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