Interesting Facts About Cape Town - Fun Facts About Cape Town

Cape Town is one of the significant cities of South Africa. It holds an important place as it plays a vital role administratively and culturally. Though the city has a soaring population, its population density is still low, as it has a fairly large area. Cape Town is famous for its natural and scenic beauty. Apart from the famous landmarks, it also houses a number of picturesque beaches. Founded in 1652 by Jan Van Riebeeck from Dutch East India Company, the city boasts of being the second most populous city in the world, housing a population of 3.5 million people. Multicultural and the legislative capital of South Africa, the city is referred to as ‘The Fairest Cape in all circumstances of the world’. This makes the city a thriving tourist destination, explored by the visitors throughout the year. For some more interesting and fun facts about Cape Town, read on.

Image: warrenski@flickr

Fast Facts

Country: South Africa

Continent: Africa

Location: Shore of Table Bay, Atlantic Ocean

Established In: 1652

Established By: Governor Jan van Riebeeck

Population: 3.74 million (2011)

Area: 2,455 km²

Demonym; Capetonian

Interesting & Fun Facts about Cape Town

Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa.
Cape Town was founded in 1652 by Jan Van Riebeeck from Dutch East India Company reached there to establish a halfway point for those which are travelling to East.
Cape Town was named as the cape of storms by Bartolomeu Dias due to the horrible storms he endured in the eastern coast of Cape Town.
Cape Town was later renamed as Cape of Good Hope to impress the king of Portugal. The name was changed to create an impression that the city provides the hope of a possible sea route to the east.
Sir Francis Drake referred to Cape Town as ‘The Fairest Cape in all circumstances of the world’.
Cape Town is one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world and home to around 3.5 million people. It is also the second populous city of South Africa.
Cape Town is regarded as the economic center of the Western Cape and even the regional manufacturing hub.
Cape Town is the primary harbor and airport in the Western Cape.
Cape Town is the capital of the Western Cape and also the seat of National Parliament.
Cape Town houses well known landmarks such as Table Mountain and Cape Point.
Cape Town is one of the most popular tourist destinations of South Africa.
Cape Town was the largest city in the state, until the expansion of Johannesburg.
Cape Town was the site of first settlement of Dutch and English settlers, in the 19th century.
Surfing is a popular sport in Cape Town and it organizes a Red Bull Big Wave Africa surfing competition every year.
Cape Town has a rich architectural heritage, housing a high density of Cape Dutch style buildings.
Cape Town conducts an annual Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, a large minstrel festival, known by the name ‘Kaapse Klopse’.
Whale watching is quite popular in Cape Town. Bryde's Whales can be seen here throughout the year.
One can see Southern Right Whales on the coast of Cape Town, during the breeding season between August and November.
The headquarters of Naspers, the largest media company in Africa, are located in Cape Town.
The Voice of the Cape and Cape Talk are the major radio stations in the Cape Town.
The ‘Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour’, organized in Cape Town, is the largest individually timed cycle race in the world.
The Port of Cape Town is deemed to be one of the busiest shipping corridors in the world.
The first heart transplantation in the world was done by Dr. Christian Barnard in Cape Town in 1967.
Before Europeans made Cape Town their settlement, the city was inhabited by Khoisan people.
Cape Town is known by the name, ‘Tavern of the Seas’. The port of Cape Town boasts of being the busiest shipping corridors in the world.
The Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town boasts of being the oldest building in South Africa. This building was constructed between 1666 and 1679 by the Dutch East India Company.
Cape Town was named the World Design Capital for 2014 by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design.

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