Agriculture flourishes in the sheltered valleys. Rivers such as the Berg, Breede and Olifants sustain the wheat, fruit and wine production. The Western Cape floral kingdom, locally known as fynbos, the famous proteas and heathers contain more plant species than the whole of Europe and is one of the six accepted floral kingdoms of the world. The Knysna-Tsitsikamma region has the country’s biggest indigenous forests.
Fishing, sheep, cattle and dairy farming as well as ostrich-farming are the other main primary activities in the Western Cape. Textiles, clothing and wine production are some of the most important industries in this region. Tourism contributes 13% of the GDP of the Western Cape.
The population mainly speaks Afrikaans, English and IsiXhosa. Cape Town is the largest and capital city. Other important urban centers are Stellenbosch, George, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Hermanus, Paarl, Wellington, Mosselbaai, Worcester and Beaufort West.
The western and southwestern parts of the province have a Mediterranean climate, with dry, warm and often windy summers and cool wet winters. The annual rainfall of Cape Town is 515mm. The coastal plain in the east gets rain throughout the year, with the highest rainfall in winter. The plants in the Karoo are adapted to dry conditions due to the small amount of rain.
The main attractions of the Western Cape Province include the following:
• Table Mountain:
Part of the Cape Peninsula National Park. Can be reached by cable way. Beautiful views of the ocean and Cape Town.
• Cape Town:
The Mother City. Castle of Good Hope, the Houses of Parliament, the District Six Museum, The Company’s Garden, flea markets, the Grand Parade, the South African Cultural History Museum and South African National Gallery.
• Cape of Good Hope / Cape Point:
Reserve part of the Cape Peninsula Park – drives, walks and picnic spots – splendid scenic beauty.
• Robben Island:
A World Heritage Site and also the place where former President Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Air flips, boat and yacht trips available.
• Victoria and Alfred (V & A) Waterfront:
A working harbour offering everything from up-market shopping malls, arts and crafts markets, theatres, hotels and live music to museums.
• Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens:
Collects, displays and cultivates indigenous plants. Contains about 6000 plant species including the famous fynbos.
• Simons Town:
Naval atmosphere and Historic Mile. South African Naval Museum and jackass penguin breeding colony.
• Hout Bay:
Working harbour, seafood outlets and boat trips to nearby Seal Island.
• Bloubergstrand:
Beautiful view of Table Mountain, surfer’s paradise.
• Whale Route:
Southern Right Whales migrate between June and November to the coastal waters of the Western Cape to calve and nurse their young. Humpbacks can be seen from May to December.
• Arniston:
Named “Waenhuiskrans” in honour of the huge sea cave capable of housing several ox-wagons.
• Agulhas National Park:
Home of endangered plant and animal species. Second-oldest working lighthouse. The southernmost point of Africa – Cape Agulhas where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet.
• West Coast National Park:
Wetland which houses about 60 000 water birds and waders. Oldest fossilized human footprints were discovered here.
• Stellenbosch:
Second oldest town in SA. Historical walks. Wine Route comprises over 100 estates.
• Franschoek:
Wine Route, named after French Huguenots.
• Route 62:
A tourist route between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn, the Garden Route and Port Elizabeth, offering the scenic alternative to the N2 highway.
• Bontebok National Park:
Situated in southern Cape near Swellendam with the Breede River running through it. This reserve of 2786 ha has a variety of fauna and flora that are spectacular. It is home to 300 Bontebok and various animals such as the Cape mountain zebra, red hartebeest, steenbok and grey rhebok.
• Mossel Bay:
Bartholomew Dias Museum/complex and one of the most modern commercial and recreational harbours.
• George and Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe:
Heart of the Garden Route and mecca of golf. The Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe takes a daily trip along the coastline between George and Knysna.
• Featherbed Lagoon and Ferry Nature Reserve:
A unique Nature Reserve which encompasses the whole of the Western Head of Knysna. Offers a luxury lagoon cruise, abseiling at The Heads and hiking trails.
• Oudtshoorn and Cango Caves:
The world ostrich-feather capital and home of the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (Afrikaans art festival). Ostrich farms and Swartberg Pass are worthwhile to visit. The Cango Caves (29 km from Oudtshoorn), a series of spectacular limestone caverns with magnificent drip stone formations.
• Knysna:
Officially South Africa’s favourite town. On the banks of an estuary, surrounded by indigenous forests, lakes and golden beaches. Oysters, pubs and restaurants, art galleries, lagoon cruises, hikes and golf.
• Plettenberg Bay:
Boat based whale watching, black water tubing, hiking, forest and cycling trails.
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