Western Cape Travel
The Western Cape is situated on the southernmost tip of the African continent. It is a region of majestic mountains; beautiful valleys; wide, sandy beaches; and breathtaking scenery, making it one of the South Africa’s prime destinations. The cold Atlantic Ocean along the west coast is a rich fishing area, while the warmer Indian Ocean skirts the province’s southern beaches.
Province profile
It is home to the houses of Parliament.
It boasts one of the world’s six accepted floral kingdoms, containing more plant species than the whole of Europe.
It is known for its wine routes and some of the world’s finest wine-growing areas.
It is home to Robben Island (a World Heritage site), the place where former President Nelson Mandela spent most of his 27 years in jail.
The Knysna-Tsitsikamma region has the country’s biggest indigenous forests.
Tourism is the most important growth force in the province.
The plankton-rich cold Benguela current flows along the west coast of the province and is considered to be one of the world’s richest fishing grounds.
The majority of the country’s petroleum companies and the largest segment of the printing and publishing industry are located in Cape Town.
It boasts a selection of excellent golf courses in majestic settings and rated as some of the best in South Africa.
Visitors to the Western Cape can disembark at Cape Town International Airport, George Airport or at the ports of Cape Town, Mossel Bay or Saldanha. A network of roads also leads to Cape Town, the capital, fondly known as the Mother City.
Other important towns in the province include Saldanha, a notable harbour for iron exports and the fishing industry; Worcester and Stellenbosch in the heart of the winelands; George, renowned for its indigenous timber and vegetable produce; Oudtshoorn, known for its ostrich products and the world-famous Cango caves; and Beaufort West on the dry, sheep-farming plains of the Great Karoo.
