| The Western Cape is without a doubt South
Africa’s
premier tourist attraction, and for good reason. Home
to the famous Table Mountain, Robben Island, vast winelands,
magnificent beaches, world-class restaurants and cosmopolitan
entertainment
haunts. It also boasts exquisite scenery and a melting
pot of cultures and tourist treasures, just waiting
to be discovered. A vist to the Cape is a must for all
foreign tourists and a must for every South African. It
isn't called the fairest Cape for nothing.
Situated on the south-western tip of Africa, the Western Cape is
where the cold Atlantic and the warm
Indian Oceans meet. Cape Town (it's capital city),
is dominated by the flat-topped bulk of
Table Mountain. The province has South Africa’s fifth largest
population, numbering in the region of 4.5 million
inhabitants. The story of the Republic of South Africa
began in the Western Cape, some
350 years ago, when it was first inhabited by the Khoi,
San and other Bantu-speaking groups. European seafarers
arrived here in the late 15th century, in search of
a halfway stop on trade routes to the East. This arrival
changed the face of South African history
forever.
The Western Cape enjoys hot summers and mild, green
winters– perfect weather for the production
of fruit, grains and, most importantly – wine.
The Western Cape hosts over 50% of the country's international visitors,
making tourism a major and growing force in the province.
This is thanks largely to the Western Cape's scenic
beauty and many attractions.
Source: South Africa Tourism
• The Dutch-built Castle of Good Hope in Cape
Town.
• The Houses of Parliament and the South African National
Gallery.
• The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden boasts stunning
displays of indigenous plants.
• A boat trip to Robben Island, the place
where former president Nelson Mandela spent most
of his 27 years in jail.
• Table Mountain is a popular site for visitors
and provides the majestic backdrop to the vibrant
and friendly Mother City. It can be reached by an
ultra-modern cableway.
• Newlands is home to the world-renowned Kirstenbosch
National Botanical Garden, and the famous rugby stadium.
• At Cape Point, part of the Cape Peninsula National Park, there
are many drives, walks, picnic spots and a licenced
restaurant. This is the point where the Atlantic
and Indian Oceans meet.
• Hout Bay is well-known for its colourful working harbour.
Seafood outlets, round-the-bay trips to the nearby
seal island, and a famous harbour-front emporium
attract many visitors.
• The Wine Route outside Cape
Town offers the chance to taste
first class wines in arguably the most beautiful
winelands in the world. Superb accommodation is
available in historic towns such as Paarl, Stellenbosch and
Franschhoek, as well as on many estates and farms.
• The city of George is at the heart of the Garden Route and
is the mecca of golf in the southern cape. It is
home to the renowned Fancourt Country Club and
Golf Estate, scene of the 2003 Presidents Cup.
• Knysna, nestling on an estuary, is officially South Africa's
favourite destination, famous for its indigenous
forests, lakes and beaches.
• Just 26km from Oudtshoorn, the ostrich feather capital of the
world, are the remarkable Cango Caves, a series
of 30 spectacular subterranean limestone caverns.
• Matjiesfontein, in the Central Karoo, a tiny railway village
in the middle of nowhere, offers tourists a peek
into the splendour of colonial Victorian England.
• Prince Albert is a well preserved town which nestles at
the foot of the Swartberg Mountains. The Fransie Pienaar
Museum offers interesting cultural history displays,
a fossil room and an exhibit of gold mining activities
in the 19th century.
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