Cape Town: coordinates and geographic location. Interesting facts about the city

Cape Town(eng. Cape town) - the second most populated (after) city. It is located in the southwest of the country on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, not far from the Cape of Good Hope. Capital, legislative capital. Included in the urban district of Cape Town.

Cape Town is home to the South African Parliament and many government offices. The city is famous for its harbor and world-famous attractions such as Table Mountain (South Africa), the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Point. Cape Town is often referred to as one of the most beautiful cities world, which is the most visited city by tourists South Africa.

Cape Town developed as a staging post for ships en route from and to other parts and played a leading role in this capacity for over 200 years, until the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. Cape Town, founded on April 6, 1652 by colonists under the leadership of Jan van Riebeeck, remained the capital and largest city Cape Colony.

According to the 2011 census, the population of Cape Town is 3,740,026. The area of ​​​​Cape Town is 2444.97 km²: this is more than other cities in South Africa, and as a result, the population density in Cape Town is lower (1529.68 people / km²). Cape Town is the twin city of and.

Story

There is no reliable information about when the first human settlements appeared here. The earliest archaeological finds (Pearce Cave, near Fish Hoek) date back to about 12,000 years ago. Little is known about the early history of this region. The first written evidence refers only to 1486, when Bartolomeu Dias visited the Cape of Good Hope.

Constance - the Capstad manor of the Dutch governor Simon van der Stel (1639-1712)

Vasco da Gama also rounded the cape on November 20, 1497, but regular contact with Europeans among the local population began only in 1652 after the arrival of the expedition of Jan van Riebeeck. In the same year, under his leadership, the city and port of Kapstad was founded as a base for supplying ships of the Dutch East India Company with fresh food and meat. Riebeck worked for the Dutch East India Company (Dutch. Verenigde Oost-indische Company) and was supposed to provide parking for her ships on the way to Europe. The extremity of South Africa at that time was inhabited primarily by the Hottentots, from the east the Xhosa, a people belonging to the Bantu family, advanced.

In the initial period, the city grew slowly, as the lack of labor affected. To make up for it, the Dutch began importing slaves from and. Many of these slaves joined the colonial society, and the descendants of mixed marriages of Indonesians, Europeans and the local population formed several special ethnic groups called "coloreds", with the Cape coloreds standing out in a special community. In Cape Town, Muslims, immigrants from Malaysia and Indonesia, built a rather unusual city block in terms of architecture. Now it is called Bo-Kaap, the old name is the Malay quarter, it is still compactly inhabited by a large colored community.

In 1948, the National Party won the election, promising to introduce racial segregation known as apartheid. According to the Law on group areas, suburbs with a mixed population had to be either cleared of the "illegal" residents staying there, or completely demolished. In connection with this campaign, Cape Town's Sixth District, which was destroyed in 1965, gained great fame. Since this zone was proclaimed a district for whites, more than 60,000 black residents were forcibly evicted. During the apartheid era, employment in Cape Town was legally given preference to people of color over blacks. Law on group areas, adopted in 1950, and was demolished only in 1982. Up until the demolition, there were approximately 66,000 representatives of various groups living in this district: freedmen, artisans, shopkeepers and workers. After the demolition, a former resident left a sarcastic graffiti on one of the walls: "You are now in Fairyland" (Eng. "Welcome to Fairyland", literally "You are now in Fairyland").

On December 3, 1967, the first heart transplant operation in the history of medicine was performed at the Grote Schuur Hospital; it was conducted by Professor Christian Barnard, who transplanted the heart of a mortally wounded 25-year-old woman to a 55-year-old patient.

Many anti-apartheid fighters lived in Cape Town; some of them (including Nelson Mandela) were then held in a prison on Robben Island, 10 km from the Cape Town coast. On February 11, 1990, Mandela, a few hours after his release from prison, delivered his famous speech, standing on the balcony of the Cape Town Hall. After apartheid was lifted in 1994, Cape Town had to deal with many problems, including HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and drug-related crime. At the same time, the city's economy is booming, especially due to tourism and a booming real estate market.

On January 15, 2018, local authorities announced that due to a prolonged drought, the city's water supplies would run out in 90 days. "Day Zero" was scheduled for April 22 (previously the date was April 29). It was decided that when the reserves fall to 13.8%, the water supply will be stopped, with the exception of critical facilities (including hospitals), and 200 points will be organized in the city, where each resident can receive 25 liters of water per day.

Physical and geographical characteristics

Cape Town neighborhood model based on Landsat satellite imagery

The center of Cape Town is located on the northern edge of the Cape Peninsula. Table Mountain creates a picturesque backdrop, towering more than a thousand meters above sea level. It is surrounded by almost sheer cliffs such as Devil's Peak and Lion's Head. Sometimes a thin cloud, called a "tablecloth", forms over the mountain.

The peninsula itself is a small mountain range (more than 700 peaks have a height of more than 300 m) and ends at Cape Point. Many of Cape Town's suburbs are located on the large Cape Flats that connects the peninsula to the mainland. Cape Flats is made up of sandy soils left over from the former shallows: earlier Table Mountain was an island.

On the eastern side of the peninsula in Falsby Bay is located naval base Simonstown, where you can visit the South African Navy Museum.

Climate

The climate of the city is subtropical Mediterranean.

What part of the continent is it in? What are the coordinates of the city of Cape Town, and how does it attract tourists?

A city on the shores of two oceans

Cape Town - unique city. 20 kilometers south of it is the same one that delimits two oceans - the Indian and the Atlantic. Thus, the city is located on the banks of two reservoirs of a planetary scale at once!

Cape Town is one of the three capitals, namely the legislative one. The country's parliament is located here. In addition, it is the most important economic and financial center of South Africa. It houses the offices of major banks and companies.

The city arose in the middle of the 17th century. The history of its appearance is closely connected with the search for a sea trade route to India. And when it was found, there was an urgent need to organize some kind of "transit point" along the way. This is how the port city of Cape Town appeared on the map of Africa. The coordinates fully contributed to this: here merchant ships could replenish their supplies of provisions and water.

About 3.7 million people live in modern Cape Town. It is the second most populous city in South Africa. The metropolis is also among the most beautiful and most visited cities on the African continent.

What are the coordinates of Cape Town? You will find the answer to this question further in our article.

Cape Town: geographic coordinates

The city is located in the southwestern part of South Africa, within the Cape Peninsula. A peculiar and very spectacular background for it is Table Mountain, which rises more than a thousand meters above sea level.

Cape Town is located on the shores of Table Bay - one of the most picturesque in Africa.

The table below shows the exact coordinates of Cape Town:

But degrees are not always used to indicate the geographical location of a city on the planet. Therefore, below are the coordinates of Cape Town in the so-called decimal fractions.

Cape Town has its own airport. From here there are regular flights to Johannesburg, other big cities South Africa, as well as to some cities in Europe.

Cape Town: interesting facts

To make the story about Cape Town as complete as possible, we bring to your attention the 5 most interesting facts about this city:

• Cape Town is called the most favorable place in Africa for doing private business.
• It houses the largest oceanarium in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Among the sister cities of Cape Town are the French Nice and the Russian St. Petersburg. Worthy company!
• Cape Town is the largest (by area) city in South Africa.
• Members of the world-famous musical group Die Antwoord live in Cape Town, playing in a rather unusual rave style.

Excellent beaches, a fairly large number of architectural and historical monuments, combined with a highly developed infrastructure, attract tourists from all over the world. Cape Town is one of the best places in Africa for surfing and shopping. Cape Town's main attractions include the Aquarium of Two Oceans, the Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the South African National Gallery, and Robben Prison Island.

Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa, seat of the South African parliament. In addition to Cape Town, South Africa has two more official capitals: administrative - Pretoria and judicial - Bloemfontein. From its founding in 1652 to the present day, Cape Town has grown from a small wooden fort to a huge modern metropolis with a population of about four million people. The history and sights of the city were influenced by its favorable geographical location, after all Cape Town coordinates(latitude 33° 55' 33" S and longitude 18° 25' 23" E) are located on the border of two oceans - the Atlantic and Indian.

The modern Republic of South Africa is the most multinational and the most economically developed country in Africa. South Africa is the only African country in the G20.

Table Mountain - where Cape Town began

Back in 1503, the Portuguese navigator António de Saldanha, sailing to India, could not figure out with the help of observations and maps whether he rounded the Cape of Good Hope, or is still in the Atlantic Ocean. To decide, he climbed a flat mountain about a kilometer high, dominating the coastal landscape. In the course of his ascent, he not only saw that the cape he was looking for was located in the south, but also discovered several sources of water.

The place was really unique. The table mountain - Saldanha gave it such a name - closed a convenient bay from the wind, provided an excellent view and could supply settlers and expeditions with water and provisions.

In addition, the bay, also called Dining Room, was located about halfway between Europe and India, from where spices were brought to the Old World. The place for replenishing food supplies, water and recreation for sailors was just perfect.

None of the European powers for a long time had the resources to establish in a place where is cape town, a full-fledged settlement. Only in 1652, the Dutch, or rather their East India Company, built a fort at the foot of Table Mountain, which gave rise to Cape Town, originally called Kapstadt.

Now there are not only several fairly convenient hiking trails on Table Mountain, but also cable car. The mountain, which is actually a plateau about three kilometers long, attracts tourists with stunning views of Cape Town and the adjacent part of the ocean. In addition, many beautiful representatives of the flora grow on its slopes, some of which are found only in these places.

Castle of Good Hope

The enterprising Dutch rebuilt the unsightly wooden fort into a full-fledged defensive structure after 15 years. They called it the Castle of Good Hope, but it was far from a full-fledged castle.

Gradually, the castle lost its defensive significance and fell into disrepair over time. Only in the 20th century it received the status of an ancient monument. In 1992, a large-scale reconstruction was carried out. After her, the Castle of Good Hope acquired its original appearance. Now it houses impressive collections of ancient weapons, furniture, dishes and an art gallery.

They even have their own ghosts. Legends about them date back to the days when the castle cellars served as a prison for the most dangerous Boers who fought against the British.

Robben Island

A piece of land with an area of ​​just over 5 square meters. km., located 12 kilometers from Cape Town, was first known as a shipping thunderstorm. Powerful waves threw ships aground on it, like shells. And if in other places the sailors could hope to get afloat at high tide, then in the vicinity of Robben the ships were doomed - they were broken in a matter of hours.

The deserted island was ideal for creating a prison, and people at all times did not pass by such places. Even the lack of water did not stop the Dutch - already in the 18th century they began to bring oppositionists from other colonies to Robben. The British, who captured Cape Town in the 19th century, were also happy to send Boers to the island. After the formation of South Africa, a maximum security prison was built on the island, for which a water conduit was run from Cape Town by sea. The legendary Nelson Mandela spent almost 20 years in prison on Robben Island.Now the island has been turned into a nature reserve, to which there is a ferry from Cape Town.

Museum "Gold of Africa"

One of the most important milestones in the development of Cape Town was the gold rush of the second half of the 19th century. Gold was mined quite far in the interior of the continent, however, due to the fact that the city was largest port and administrative capital, the river of gold flowed almost exclusively through it. Tools, equipment and products were sent back to the mountains, further increasing the income of the big city South Africa. According to some estimates, a third of the gold currently available in the world has been extracted from the South African bowels.

The Museum "Gold of Africa" ​​is a kind of monument to the era in which Cape Town from all over the world came to want to get rich instantly. The museum is located in a restored building built in the late 18th century. In addition to exhibits relating to the period of the gold rush, it presents gold items created in African kingdoms starting from the 2nd millennium BC. In the shop located in the museum building, you can buy gilded copies of exhibits and original knick-knacks.

Cango caves

Geographically, the Kango caves are quite far from Cape Town, but their visit is included in the mandatory program of acquaintance with the South African capital. This geological formation was discovered at the end of the 18th century. With the development of South Africa, the caves became a popular attraction and already in 1820 they were taken under the protection of the British colonial administration - visitors actively dismantled the stalagmites and stalactites of the Kango caves for souvenirs.

Now organized tourists have two routes available. Downtime lasts about an hour. During this time, the tour passes through six spacious halls. Its highlight is organ Hall- a huge cave, the back wall of which is really very similar to an organ. Those who want to tickle their nerves can follow the adventure route. They will have to make their way through narrow manholes, including a corridor with the promising name "Damn's Chimney".

Bo Kaap or Malay Quarter

Although racial segregation was formally legalized only in the 20th century, city ​​of cape town in South Africa could be considered an illustration of this concept at least a century earlier. The city is quite clearly divided into white, colored and black areas. In the Malay Quarter, or Bo-Kaap, descendants of mixed marriages have long settled. Gradually, a very colorful area was formed. Asian craftsmen and their descendants built houses of the same type, which differ only in the color of the outer walls. Mosques rise above the residential areas, the oldest of which was built in the middle of the 19th century.

The abolition of segregation has become a serious test for the Malay Quarter. Its proximity to the center of Cape Town (the area is located between the center and Table Mountain) made the property attractive for investment. Modern buildings began to appear in the area. Most likely, in a few decades, the architecture and life of Bo-Kaap will be available only in the museum located here.

Cape Town modern

Modern Cape Town is by no means historical monument. The mild climate, warm ocean, cozy bays and excellent tourism infrastructure attract millions of tourists to the southern tip of Africa. Diving, boat trips, mountain hiking and trips to wine farms are very popular in Cape Town and the surrounding area. Settlers from Holland and France managed to develop local varieties of grapes, the wines from which are not inferior to the best examples of world winemaking.

The center of evening life in Cape Town is the so-called. "Waterfront". This is a shortened name for the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Here are luxury shops, restaurants, theaters, nightclubs and the pearl of entertainment in Cape Town - "Two Oceans Aquarium". It consists of three dozen basins in which representatives of the water world of both the Atlantic and Indian oceans live. The highlights of the aquarium are a huge 11-meter cylinder glowing from the inside and an artificial stretch of beach where seals and penguins live.

European travelers rarely visit the African continent. There are no strangers here tourist routes. Almost nothing is known about local customs and traditions. Protected bushes hide a rich animal and vegetable world. In this article, we will find out where Cape Town is located and on which mainland South Africa is located.

Cape Town is considered one of the most beautiful and comfortable metropolitan areas of the African continent. The city sprawled along the coast, resting on the Cape of Good Hope. The visiting card of the city is Table Mountain. In addition to it, Cape Town has dozens of attractions and entertainment designed for every taste and budget.

Location

Where is Cape Town located? The metropolis occupies the northern tip of the Cape Peninsula. Behind its skyscrapers rises Table Mountain. Its height exceeds 1000 meters above sea level. It is framed by picturesque cliffs. Lion's Head and Devil's Peak are the most famous. From time to time, the area above the rock is covered with a veil of clouds, creating amazing visual illusions.

Where Cape Town is located, scattered impregnable rocks merge into a single mountain range. Their peaks reach 700 meters in height. Cape Point - the cape that completes mountain range. The suburbs of the metropolis are concentrated on a flat area, called the Cape Flats. It serves as the very bridge that connects the peninsula with the mainland. It is dominated by sandy soil washed by the ocean.

The place where Cape Town is today was once an island, separated from the continent by a strait. Modern city occupies the territory at the foot of Table Mountain. His central regions represent the architectural heritage of the Victorian era. Mansions built by Dutch architects have been preserved on their streets. These houses are distinguished by elaborate decor and an abundance of gypsum elements.

The historical part of the municipality is bounded by Table Mountain and the waters of Table Bay. City life is centered on Long Street. This is the pedestrian artery of the metropolis, which is famous for its nightclubs, bars and the most fashionable restaurants in Cape Town. Where are hostels and hotels located? They are concentrated nearby, behind the flashy facades of the central buildings.

Story

The age of the camps of the first inhabitants of the plains, which are located in the Cape Town area, is over 12,000 years old. This statement is confirmed by archaeological finds that were discovered in the Pierce Cave cave complex. Europeans appeared in these parts at the end of the 15th century. The first sailor to visit the Cape of Good Hope was Bartolomeu Dias. Vasco da Gama appeared where the city of Cape Town is now, in 1497. The first colonies of Europeans formed in this part of Africa in the second half of the 17th century.

The lack of labor force affected the pace of development of the settlement. The fort was built slowly. To speed up the construction of defensive fortresses, Dutch sailors brought slaves here from Madagascar. In 1795, the British pushed back the subjects of the Netherlands. In 1814, the settlement was officially assigned to England. In 1910, Cape Town became the head of the Union of South Africa. A little later, South Africa came to replace South Africa.

Districts

During apartheid, an artificial division of the city of Cape Town was introduced. Where are the zones for people of different skin colors, decided by the representatives of the party that came to power. At the moment, travelers distinguish five main quarters:

• city ​​center;
• Greenpoint;
• Milnerton;
• Table View;
• Hot Bay.

Almost all of them stretched along the coast. The lion's share of attractions is concentrated near the beaches and recreational areas. The cost of living depends on the distance of the hotel from the main attractions of the metropolis.

The city center is a modern area of ​​​​Cape Town, where there are, photos of tourists confirm this, business districts and skyscrapers. On its territory there are national embassies, sports centers and stadiums, government agencies and offices of international companies. Fountains are broken on numerous squares, the streets are buried in flower beds, squares and pedestrian alleys are covered with tropical greenery.

You can find a relatively cheap hostel in the Kloof Street area. On Long Street, all services are much more expensive. Before choosing accommodation, you need to check the map and carefully look at where Cape Town is located. detailed information about the city will help you prioritize. Foreign tourists prefer objects that are located within walking distance from railway station and bus station. A week in a modest hotel will cost 3,300 rubles.

Beautiful life

The road leading down from Long Street leads to Greenpoint. This is a compact and respectable quarter. It also has many hostels and hotels. Wealthy and successful people live in this part of the city. To settle here, you need to pay 39,000 rubles per week. This is actual information. Where is Cape Town for whites? The symbol of luxurious European life in the metropolis is the Camps Bay area. Here is the most expensive real estate in South Africa.

Fashionable hotels lined up along the sandy strip of the coast. hotel complexes. This part of the city is often compared to Florida and California. The snow-white mansions of the former colonists are buried in the luxurious greenery of tropical vegetation. Everywhere you hear the whisper of the surf. A fresh breeze brings the evening chill. In the mornings, the residents are woken up by the staccato cries of seagulls.

On the open terraces there are cafes and pastry shops, restaurants and bars. With the onset of night, they are illuminated by the dull light of lanterns, the illumination of the pools turns on. One day in the Camps Bay area will cost 6,000 rubles. To find cheaper options, you need to understand how and where Cape Town is located. The description of the city says that inexpensive hostels are concentrated in the quarters of Sea Point. This is a relatively safe area, but it can be unsafe to walk alone after sunset. After eight o'clock in the evening, beggars and pickpockets take to the streets.

We save wisely

Most often in Sea Point, realtors offer small apartments equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable life, or private houses. If desired, you can find a simple room with meals. average price this option is 600 rubles per day. Hot Bay is usually attributed to the city, but this quarter is still located outside the metropolis. It is popular with those tourists who come to Africa to relax on the beach. The road to the center will take at least one hour.

The main attraction of Hot Bay is the craft market. Its stalls sell handicrafts made of leather and bone, wood and stone. Vessels heading for the numerous islands of the bay depart from the harbor of the region. Votrefront is a paradise for shopaholics. It is famous for its abundance of entertainment and shopping centers. Here is the largest mall in the metropolis. Police patrols regularly run through the streets of the quarter. In this part of Cape Town it is safe at any time of the day. But with parking, things are different. During the day, all the places are occupied, you have to catch a taxi, going out onto the roadway.

Prestigious outskirts

Milnerton is a new residential area of ​​the metropolis. This is a great option for budget travellers. It is built up with low-rise residential buildings, which are fenced from each other with openwork fences and green spaces. The balconies and terraces of the buildings offer views of Table Mountain. If you're lucky, you can see Devil's Peak. At night, the streets are empty, walking along them is not recommended. The road to the city center takes no more than thirty minutes. There is no entertainment in Milnerton.

Table View is the next block. Housing in it is even cheaper. The area is more like provincial town than part of a modern metropolis. It is distinguished by its own infrastructure and a special way of life. This is another European area, but today it is also chosen by black families of successful businessmen. Renting an apartment in Table View will cost 42,000 rubles a month.

Eclecticism

Bo Kaap is known for being home to a large Malay diaspora population. The houses in this part of Cape Town are painted in bright colors. Since it is located on a hill, its streets either climb up or run down. Walking on them is not always comfortable. There are a large number of mosques in Bo-Kaap. There are no hotels in this part of the metropolis, but there are enough offers to rent a house.

The area is criminal and suitable only for experienced and courageous travelers. It is chosen by those who are well acquainted with the African continent. For a month of renting a separate house, they ask about 60,000 rubles. A worthy alternative to popular quarters can be Multipoint, Tambourskloof, Rondebosch, Center City, Rose Bank, Blueberg Beach.

Attractions

In tourist guides that tell about where Cape Town is located, the description of the city certainly includes a list of places that are iconic for the metropolis. Digest authors always mention the Fortress of Good Hope. It is considered the oldest building erected in this part of Africa. It is currently being used as art gallery, in the halls of which exhibitions of artists and sculptors are held. It is recommended to visit the Parliament building, which rises next to the Cathedral of St. George, another important landmark of the city.

Travelers are introduced to the bath complex, which was built by the Turks, with the market. A walk along the alleys will bring a lot of positive emotions botanical garden. And Furtrekker Street is considered the longest trading artery on the entire continent. To climb to the top of Table Mountain, you should use the cable car. The commercial center of Cape Town serves not only as a home for local merchants and representatives of multinational corporations, but also as a refuge for young artists and street performers.

fluent acquaintance

A visit to the Cultural and Historical Museum of South Africa will be useful. Its expositions clearly tell visitors about the place where Cape Town is located, about the country as a whole. Curious travelers are taken to Robin Island, on the territory of which there is a prison. South African President Nelson Mandela served his term there for almost thirty years. the most picturesque excursion route recognized as a road that starts in the east of Cape Town and ends at Fort Port Elizabeth. Its length is almost 350 kilometers.

Having overcome this path, tourists will get acquainted with the life and customs of the inhabitants of provincial African cities, visit nature reserves and national parks, stroll along the endless beaches indian ocean. Those with an interest in wildlife highly appreciated the trips to Seal Island and Hout Bay Conservation Area. Gourmets go to local wineries in settlements Constant, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Parl.

Transport accessibility

Going on a long journey through the African expanses, it is important to understand in which country Cape Town is located, where it is located. local tourists arrive at the bus station. It is based in the city center and serves not only local flights, but also those that go to settlements concentrated along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. To move around the city, it is better to use a taxi.

The main car parks are located on Adderley Street, at the very end of Grand Pde. It is almost impossible to move around the region by bicycle or on foot. Cape Town has the second largest airport in the country. It receives flights from neighboring countries. Liners from European countries, America and Asia. In high season travel companies launch additional charter flights.

The air gates are connected with the city center by a railway line of high-speed trains. The cost of tickets in them depends on the class of service and the distance of the trip. In the economy, only chairs are provided, in the tourist car there are sleeping places. Europeans choose first class. The cost of a ticket for a bus that runs from Cape Town Airport to the city is about 250 rubles. In the direction of the center, he leaves every half an hour.

Population

The number of inhabitants of Cape Town has exceeded three million. Most households are equipped with sewerage and lighting systems. The inhabitants of the city belong to various ethnic groups. Colored in the metropolis is called the descendants of the Malays and Europeans. This category of residents is almost 50%. There are far fewer blacks in Cape Town. They account for only 30%. White no more than 20%.

Europeans are represented by people from Great Britain, Portugal, Germany, and the Netherlands. There are Russians and Lithuanians. The number of whites began to decline significantly forty years ago. The descendants of the colonists leave for the United States, England and Australia.

Weather

Where Cape Town is located, the climate is seasonal. It has bright Mediterranean features. Winter in this part of Africa starts in May and ends in September. Cold air masses in these parts are brought by winds blowing from the Atlantic Ocean. During this period, there is a large amount of precipitation, which falls in the form of prolonged and heavy downpours.

Summer comes to Cape Town in November. Autumn comes in March. During this time, dry weather is established in the city. The sky is almost always clear and the sun shines brightly. True, in Cape Town it is almost always windy. The region is under the influence of the Atlantic anticyclone.