Search results
Cape Town is the second most populous city in South Africa. The capital of Western Cape Province, it is also the legislative capital of the nation. Cape Town is on South Africa's southwestern coast close to the Cape of Good Hope, and is the southernmost city on the African continent. Overview. Map.
Open full screen to view more. This map was created by a user. Learn how to create your own. Map of Cape Town, South Africa.
- Overview
- The character of the city
Cape Town, city and seaport, legislative capital of South Africa and capital of Western Cape province. The city lies at the northern end of the Cape Peninsula some 30 miles (50 kilometres), at its southernmost boundary, north of the Cape of Good Hope. Because it was the site of the first European settlement in South Africa, Cape Town is known as the country’s “mother city.”
Cape Town has a beautiful setting: parts of the city and its suburbs wind about the steep slopes of Table Mountain (3,563 feet [1,086 metres] high) and neighbouring peaks and rim the shores of Table Bay; other parts lie on the flats below the slopes or stretch southward across the flats to False Bay. The city covers an area of 116 square miles (300 square kilometres). Pop. (2005 est.) urban agglom., 3,103,000.
The city of Cape Town had its origin in 1652, when the Dutch East India Company established a refreshment station for its ships on the shores of Table Bay. The location was magnificent, on well-watered, fertile soil, beneath the precipitous walls of Table Mountain. The indigenous inhabitants provided cattle but not labour, and the company imported slaves, mainly from East Africa, Madagascar, and the Bay of Bengal area. The slaves brought with them something of their culture and—especially in the case of the Muslims from the East Indies—their religion. Mixed-race unions took place, but strong racial and ethnic characteristics remained. In 1781 the French established a garrison to help the Dutch defend the city against British attack, and the French presence influenced local architecture and culture. British occupation in the 19th century brought new parliamentary and judicial concepts and freedom for the slaves. Cape Town was the gateway to Europe’s penetration of the South African interior, and close ties with continental Europe were maintained.
Today Cape Town is a modern city with high-rise office buildings and pedestrian malls. Although it is a major political and economic centre, its reputation still rests on its beautiful situation between mountain and sea, its cosmopolitan population, and the liberal outlook of many of its citizens.
Britannica Quiz
World Cities
- Eric Axelson
Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.
The map shows a city map of Cape Town with expressways, main roads and streets, and the location of Cape Town International Airport (IATA code: CPT) 17.7 km (11 mi) by road (via N2) east of the city. To the west you see Cape Town's landmark the Table Mountain with its flat top.
People also ask
Where is Cape Town located?
Where can I find a map of Cape Town?
How to see Cape Town in a 45-degree view?
How do I find a location in South Africa?
Maps & guides for Cape Town. This page has all the information you’ll need to successfully navigate around Cape Town. Below you’ll find the latest Visitors’ Guide, a booklet designed to showcase everything Cape Town has to offer, as well as several downloadable maps for traversing the City.
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. Sign in. Open full screen to view more. This map was created by a user. Learn how to create your own. ...
