Cape Town

Afrikaans name: Kaapstad

Above - Table Mountain, Cape Town

Photo © Steven Herbert

Western Cape

Cape Town is the second largest city in South Africa but it is number one when it comes to scenic beauty. It is the Legislative Capital of South Africa.

The recorded history of Cape Town goes back to 1652 when a supply station was established there by the Dutch East India Company. Signs of human habitation have been found dating back to nearly 15,000 years ago.

The dominating feature of Cape Town is the iconic Table Mountain. One of the "must do" things in Cape Town is to go up the cable car to the top of the mountain. Another of Cape Towns major attractions is the Cape Town Waterfront. The waterfront is the departure point to the world famous Robben Island which is accessed by ferry. For those interested in the history of the area the Castle of Good Hope is worth a visit.

There are some great beaches but, if you plan on swimming, be aware that the water is pretty cold! This doesn't appear to put off the locals from entering the water. Talking about entering the water, why not go for a shark cage dive to see the magnificent Great White Sharks. From Cape Town one can easily reach a number of scenic attractions and famous name wine farms. Cape Town has become one of South Africas top tourist destinations.

Above - Cape Town at night

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Cape Town CBD

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Cape Town from Leeukop lookout point

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Cape Town from Leeukop lookout point

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - From Signal Hill, in Cape Town, one can look out on Robben Island

Photo © Steven Herbert

Above - Dutch Reformed Church (1704, 1781, 1789 & 1841). Oldest church in South Africa

Photo © Johan van Zyl

References and further reading

Things ewe never knewe about South African place names - Author: Ann Gadd - Published: 2015 - Page: 37

The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 22

The Dive Sites of South Africa - Author: Anton Koornhof - Published: 1992 - Page: 20

Southern African Birdfinder - Author: Cohen, Spottiswoode and Rossouw - Published: 2006 - Page: 95

Southern African Birdfinder - Author: Cohen, Spottiswoode and Rossouw - Published: 2006 - Page: 27

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 100

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 98

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 16

Places to Visit in Southern Africa - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1995 - Page: 263

On Route - Explore South Africa region by region - 3rd edition - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 2014 - Page: 8

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 10

Hit the Road - 2nd Edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2018 - Page: 16

go! - Issue 167 - Author: - Published: 2020 - Page: 101

go! - Issue 190 - Author: - Published: 2023 - Page: 40

go! - Issue 125 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 106

go! - Issue 138 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 36

go! - Issue 088 - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 46

Getaway - Vol 34 No 05 - Author: - Published: 2022 - Page: 72

Getaway - Vol 34 No 04 - Author: - Published: 2022 - Page: 88

Getaway - Vol 33 No 09 - Author: - Published: 2022 - Page: 83

Getaway - Vol 30 No 10 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 52

Getaway - Vol 29 No 01 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 12

Getaway - Vol 29 No 06 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 123

Getaway - Vol 28 No 12 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 25

Family Fun - Author: Lisa McNamara - Published: 2015 - Page: 7

Country Life - Issue 230 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 76

Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 9

Chris and Tilde Stuarts Guide to Southern African Game and Nature Reserves - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1989 - Page: 224

Book of the Road - 4th edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2019 - Page: 95

Book of the Road - 4th edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2019 - Page: 94

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 202

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 202

City of Cape Town

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