Travel Guide

Full Name

Cape Town

Former Name

Government Type

Republic

Area Size

2,499 km²

Time Zone

UTC/GMT +2 hours

Climate

The Cape Peninsula has a Mediterranean climate with well-defined seasons. In winter, which lasts from May to September, large cold fronts come across from the Atlantic Ocean with heavy precipitation and strong north-westerly winds. The winter months are cool, with an average minimum temperature of 7 °C. Most of the city's annual rainfall occurs in wintertime. The suburb of Newlands which is to the south of the city is the wettest place in South Africa. The valleys and coastal plains average 515 millimetres of rain per annum, while mountain areas can average as much as 1,500 millimetres per annum. Summer, which lasts from November to March, is warm and dry. The Peninsula gets frequent strong winds from the south-east, known locally as the Cape Doctor, because it blows away pollution and cleans the air. The south-easterly wind is caused by a high-pressure system which sits in the South Atlantic to the west of Cape Town, known as the South-Atlantic High. Summer temperatures are mild, with an average maximum of 26 °C.

Geography

The centre of Cape Town is located at the northern end of the Cape Peninsula. Table Mountain forms a dramatic backdrop to the city bowl, with its plateau over 1,000 m high; it is surrounded by near-vertical cliffs, Devil's Peak and Lion's Head. Sometimes a thin strip of cloud forms over the mountain, and owing to its appearance, it is affectionately known as the "tablecloth". The peninsula consists of a dramatic mountainous spine jutting southwards into the Atlantic Ocean, ending at Cape Point. There are over 70 peaks above 304.8 m within Cape Town's official city limits. Many of the suburbs of Cape Town are on the large plain of the Cape Flats, which joins the peninsula to the mainland. The Cape Flats lie on what is known as a rising marine plain, consisting mostly of sandy geology which shows that at one point Table Mountain itself was an island.

Culture

Cape Town has a cosmopolitan cultural mix which has been influenced over the years mainly by the Dutch, French and British, with a significant influence also having come from Malaysia. Cape Town is home to artists and performers of every description,. With a fascinating history going back 350 years, Cape Town offers a huge selection of museums and places of cultural interest to visit. Also to be considered are tours of the townships, a ferry trip to Robben Island or a wander through the District Six Museum.

History

There is no certainty as to when humans first occupied the area prior to the first visits of Europeans in the 15th century. The earliest known remnants in the region were found at Peers cave in Fish Hoek and date to around 12,000 years ago. Little is known of the history of the region's first residents, since there is no written history from the area before it was first mentioned by Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias in 1486. Vasco da Gama recorded a sighting of the Cape of Good Hope in 1497, and the area did not have regular contact with Europeans until 1652, when the Netherlands' Jan van Riebeeck and other employees of the Dutch East India Company (Dutch: Verenigde Oost-indische Compagnie, VOC) were sent to the Cape to establish a way-station for ships travelling to the Dutch East Indies. The city grew slowly during this period, as it was hard to find adequate labour. This labour shortage prompted the city to import slaves from Indonesia and Madagascar; many of whom would come to form the first of the Cape Coloured communities.

Travel Information

he national airline is South African Airways (SAA). There are frequent direct and indirect flights by numerous major airlines from destinations throughout Europe and North America. Cape Town (CPT) (Cape Town International) is 22km east of the city (journey time - 20 minutes). Round-the-clock shuttle buses meet incoming flights. Courtesy buses are operated by some hotels. Taxis are available, with a surcharge after 2300; Touch Down Taxis are the officially authorised airport taxi firm. Facilities: Duty-free shop, car hire, bank/bureau de change, ATMs, post office, tourist information desk and restaurants/bars. Cruises are offered by various companies between South Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. Getting There by Road There are main routes into South Africa from Botswana (via Ramatlabama), Lesotho, Mozambique (via Komatipoort), Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe (via Beitbridge). The major bus companies run services to and from the capital cities of neighbouring countries.

Accommodation

Cape Town has a vast variaty of accommodation for all tastes and wallets.

Getting Around

Public transport is available with a scheduled bus service covering most areas, and the city is linked by a comprehensive suburban rail network to the outlying suburbs. In fact the suburban line to Simons Town is possibly one of the most spectacular in the world, the track is so close to the sea in places that unsuspecting passengers occasionally get soaked by the spray of waves breaking on the rocks below. For exploring further afield you might hop onto a minibus taxi, South Africa's most used, and most economical, means of public transport, travelling to just about every area (and stopping just about anywhere, too!). Numerous tour and transport companies offer shuttle services to and from the airport, as well as to other destinations around the city. In the city centre you'll find walking a most pleasant way to get around, roaming the many curio and antique markets, or strolling through the city's oak-lined Company Gardens.

Health & Safety

Travellers arriving in South Africa from infected areas require a yellow fever vaccination certificate; otherwise no vaccination is required. There is a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Tap water is safe in urban areas but sterilisation is advisable elsewhere, as there are periodic outbreaks of cholera in the poor communities of rural South Africa. Drug-resistant TB has been reported throughout the country. Food poisoning is rare. Medical facilities in South Africa are good, but medical insurance is strongly advised as private hospitals expect cash upfront and public hospitals are best avoided. Visitors to South Africa should be aware of the country's high incidence of crime. Although this tends to be concentrated in pockets throughout the country, for example in the township areas, opportunistic crime is fairly widespread. Travellers should always be aware of these risks and exercise the necessary precautions. Doors should be locked when driving and one should not walk alone at night in city streets, isolated beaches or remote areas. There have been recent incidents on hikers walking on Table Mountain in Cape Town and visitors should avoid walking alone on the mountain. Vigilance when using ATMs and carrying valuables. It is worthwhile noting that the South African authorities do give high priority to the protection of tourists.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Year’s Day. 21 Mar - Human Rights Day. 6 Apr - Good Friday. 9 Apr - Family Day. 27 Apr - Freedom Day. 1 May - Workers Day. 16 Jun - Youth Day. 9 Aug - National Women's Day. 24 Sep - Heritage Day. 16 Dec - Day of Reconciliation. 25 Dec - Christmas Day. 26 Dec - Day of Goodwill.

Currency

Rand

Electricity

220/240 volts AC

Working Hours

Office hours: Mon-Fri 8.30am - 4.30pm.

Emergency Numbers

10177 (Ambulance) 10111 (Fire & Police)