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Capetown is the second most populous city in South Africa with a population of 3,497,097 as of 2007. It is the provincial capital of the Western Cape, and the legislative capital of South Africa. Being that there was no documentation of this region before the Portuguese explorers of 1486, little is known about the very origins of this region. Remnants of a human were discovered at Peers Cave in Fish Hoek, and date to about 12,000 years ago. The area did not come into contact with Europe until later, when employees of the Dutch East India Company were sent to the Cape to construct a way-station for ships traveling to the Dutch East Indies. Over many years, the Netherlands was seized by other countries, thus changing the sovereignty of South Africa. Eventually, through conflict between England and the Netherlands, South Africa was handed over to England permanently in 1814.
One of the most popular African destinations for tourism, there is much to see in Capetown. Regular trips to Table Mountain (not far from the city’s core) can be taken. Table Mountain is situated inside a National Park, and those adventurous enough can even hike it (or just take the cable car)! For a both a relaxing and a fun-filled day, hit the beaches of Capetown’s coast. This city offers a variety of beaches, each with its own atmosphere and temperatures, as the Atlantic Ocean can be cool. Boulder’s Beach—near Simon’s Town—is known for it’s colony of African penguins. If that isn’t enough to keep you busy on your vacation, try surfing—a very popular past time in Capetown. Red Bull even hosts a “Big Wave Africa” surfing competition in the city every year!
Last, but not least, place your feet on the very steps of the Cape Town City Hall. This is the building where Nelson Mandela gave his first speech in decades, after being released from former Robben Island penitentiary. Nelson Mandela was wrongfully imprisoned for many years for his leadership in the anti-apartheid movement to de-segregate South Africa’s blacks from whites.
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