The capital of the Western Cape of South Africa is Cape Town. Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa and its second most populated city. The government is headed by an executive may and city manager. Beneath them is a small executive council and a larger city council. The Cape Town area of the Western Cape of South Africa has a thriving economy, fascinating history, and unique geographical makeup.



The Beginning of Cape Town

The Western Cape of South Africa now known as Cape Town has a human history that dates back twelve thousand years. The area was first settled by Europeans in 1652 when employees of the Dutch East India Company were sent to help increase the trading empire of the company. Because of the extensive amount of labor needed by the company slaves were imported from Indonesia and Madagascar.

In 1814 this area of the Western Cape of South Africa was given to the British government. From that point on the government experienced a great deal of turmoil. Changes have included the policy of apartheid and the eventual removal of this policy in the city.

Weather and Geography

The city of Cape Town in the Western Cape of South Africa has a total area of nine hundred forty-seven square miles and a population of almost three and a half million. Cape Town can be found at the northern tip of the Cape Peninsula. The town is surrounded by cliffs over seventy of which tower at more than a thousand feet, all within the city limits.

The area of the Western Cape of South Africa has a wide array of temperatures. The City of Cape town has an average low of fifty-two degrees and an average high of seventy-two degrees. The record low for the town is thirty degrees and the record high one hundred six degrees. Yearly precipitation averages just over twenty inches, most of which occurs during the winter months.

The Economy of Cape Town

The economic center for the Western Cape of South Africa is Cape Town. It is also the regional center of manufacturing. The area has a large agricultural community and most of these goods are processed in the town. The largest number of jobs are found within the business districts of Cape Town.

The economy of this area of the Western Cape of South Africa is also helped by the cities' position as the national and regional seat of government. The Port of Cape Town and the Cape Town International Airport are both located within Cape Town. This offers the city a variety of transportation options to export its goods. This transportation abundance has also allowed the tourism industry to flourish making Cape Town one of South Africa's most popular tourist destinations.

Activities in Cape Town

The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is built atop a portion of the Port of Cape Town docks. It is a one of the most popular destinations for travelers to the Western Cape of South Africa. There are hundreds of shops located in the area as well as the Two Oceans Aquarium. Football, cricket and rugby are all popular sports in this area of the Western Cape of South Africa. Each sport has a dedicated stadium in the area.