Cape Town facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cape Town Kaapstad  (Afrikaans) iKapa  (Xhosa)
Capital city (legislative branch)
Devil's Peak and Table Mountain from Signal Hill Bo-Kaap V&A Waterfront Castle of Good Hope Houses of Parliament Central Business District
Coat of arms Logo
Nicknames:  Mother City, Tavern of the Seas (archaic)
Motto(s):  Spes Bona (Latin for "Good Hope")
Cape Town Location in Western Cape Show map of Western Cape Cape Town Location in South Africa Show map of South Africa Cape Town Location in Africa Show map of Africa
Country	South Africa
Province	Western Cape
Municipality	City of Cape Town
Founded	6 April 1652; 373 years ago (1652-04-06)
Municipal government	1839; 186 years ago (1839)
Government
• Type	Metropolitan municipality
Area
• Capital city (legislative branch)	2,461 km2 (950 sq mi)
Highest elevation	1,590.4 m (5,217.8 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population
• Rank	13th in Africa 2nd in South Africa
• Urban  (2011)	433,688
• Urban density	1,083.47/km2 (2,806.2/sq mi)
• Metro  (2022)	4,770,313
• Metro density	1,529.68/km2 (3,961.9/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Capetonian
Racial makeup (2022)
• Black	45.7%
• Coloured	35.1%
• White	16.2%
• Indian/Asian	1.6%
First languages (2011)
• Afrikaans	34.9%
• Xhosa	29.2%
• English	27.8%
Time zone	UTC+2 (SAST)
Postal codes (street)	7400–8099
PO box	7000
HDI	0.82 – very high
GMP (2020)	US$121 billion
GMP per capita (2011)	US$19,656

Cape Town is an important city in South Africa. It's where the country's laws are made. It's also the oldest city and home to the Parliament of South Africa. Cape Town is the second-biggest city in South Africa, after Johannesburg. It is the largest city in its province, the Western Cape. The city is part of a larger area called the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality.

Cape Town is famous for its harbour. It is also known for its beautiful natural setting in the Cape Floristic Region. Important landmarks include Table Mountain and Cape Point. In 2014, The New York Times called Cape Town the best place in the world to visit. The Daily Telegraph also ranked it number one in 2016 and 2023.

The City Bowl area of Cape Town is located on the shore of Table Bay. It is the oldest urban area in the Western Cape. It has a rich cultural history. The Dutch East India Company (VOC) founded the city. It was a supply station for Dutch ships sailing to East Africa, India, and the Far East. Jan van Riebeeck arrived on April 6, 1652. This started the VOC Cape Colony, the first lasting European settlement in South Africa. Cape Town grew from a small outpost to an important economic and cultural centre. It was the largest city in southern Africa until gold was discovered.

The greater Cape Town area has a long coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. This includes False Bay. It stretches to the Hottentots Holland mountains in the east. The Table Mountain National Park is inside the city. There are also other nature reserves and protected marine areas nearby. These places protect the diverse plants and animals of the region.

Cape Town's Past: A Journey Through Time

Early Discoveries and First People

The oldest signs of people living in this area are from about 15,000 to 12,000 years ago. These were found in Peers Cave in Fish Hoek.

We don't know much about the first residents. This is because there were no written records before European explorers arrived. The first European to reach the area was Bartolomeu Dias in 1488. He was a Portuguese explorer. He named it "Cape of Storms." Later, John II of Portugal renamed it "Cape of Good Hope." This name showed the hope of finding a new sea route to India.

In 1497, another Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, also saw the Cape of Good Hope.

In 1510, a battle took place at Salt River. Portuguese admiral Francisco de Almeida and 64 of his men were killed. They were defeated by the !Uriǁ’aekua people. These people were part of the Khoekhoe clans living in the area.

By the late 1500s, ships from France, Denmark, the Netherlands, and England often stopped in Table Bay. They traded with the Khoekhoe clans. They exchanged tobacco, copper, and iron for fresh meat and supplies.

Dutch Settlement and Growth

In 1652, Jan van Riebeeck and others from the Dutch East India Company (VOC) arrived. They were sent to set up a supply station for ships. These ships were traveling to the Dutch East Indies. They built the Fort de Goede Hoop, which was later replaced by the Castle of Good Hope. The settlement grew slowly at first. It was hard to find enough workers. This led to bringing enslaved people from Indonesia and Madagascar. Many of today's Cape Coloured and Cape Malay communities are descendants of these people.

Under Van Riebeeck and later leaders, many new plants were brought to the Cape. These included grapes, grains, potatoes, apples, and citrus fruits. These plants greatly changed the way people lived and the economy of the region.

British Rule and Changes

Great Britain took control of Dutch colonies, including Cape Town, in 1795. This happened when the Dutch Republic became allied with France. Cape Town was given back to the Dutch in 1803. But British forces took it again in 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars. After the war, Cape Town officially became part of the United Kingdom in 1814.

The city became the capital of the new Cape Colony. Its territory grew a lot during the 1800s. This was partly due to wars with the amaXhosa on the colony's eastern border. In 1833, slavery was ended in the colony. This freed over 5,500 enslaved people in the city. They made up almost a third of the city's population.

In the 1850s and 1860s, the British brought more plant species from Australia. For example, rooikrans was used to stabilize sand on the Cape Flats. This helped build a road connecting the peninsula to the mainland. Eucalyptus trees were used to drain marshy areas.

The first railway line was built in 1859. The railway system quickly expanded in the 1870s. The discovery of diamonds in 1867 and gold in 1886 brought many people to South Africa. In 1895, the city's first public power station opened.

Conflicts between the Boer Republics and the British led to the Second Boer War (1899–1902). Britain won this war, which led to the creation of a united South Africa. From 1891 to 1901, Cape Town's population more than doubled. It grew from 67,000 to 171,000 people. By the end of the 19th century, Johannesburg and Pretoria became more important economically than Cape Town.

Modern Cape Town: From Union to Today

In 1910, Britain formed the Union of South Africa. This joined the Cape Colony with other regions. Cape Town became the capital where laws were made. It remained so when the Republic of South Africa was formed later.

By 1936, Johannesburg had grown to be the largest city in the country. In 1945, the Cape Town foreshore was completed. This added a large new area to the city center.

Apartheid Era and Change

Before the mid-1900s, Cape Town was a city where people of different races lived together. In 1948, the National Party won elections. They introduced apartheid, a system of racial separation. This system ended the mixed-race voting rights that existed in the Cape.

In 1950, the apartheid government passed the Group Areas Act. This law divided urban areas by race. Many mixed-race neighborhoods in Cape Town were changed. Residents who were considered "unlawful" by the new laws were forced to leave. Some areas were even destroyed. The most famous example is District Six. After it was declared a whites-only area in 1965, all homes were demolished. Over 60,000 residents were forced to move, many to the Cape Flats.

Black South Africans were moved to areas like Langa. This was Cape Town's first and oldest township. This happened under the 1923 Native Urban Areas Act.

Under apartheid, the Cape was seen as a "Coloured labour preference area." This meant that Black Africans were excluded from certain jobs. This policy was opposed by many groups. During the Soweto uprising in 1976, students in Cape Town protested against unfair education. School buildings were burned, and police responded with force.

Cape Town was home to many leaders of the anti-apartheid movement. Robben Island is an island about 10 kilometers from the city. It was a maximum security prison. Many famous political prisoners were held there. This included Nelson Mandela, who spent 18 of his 27 years in prison on the island. Two other future presidents, Kgalema Motlanthe and Jacob Zuma, were also imprisoned there.

One of the most famous moments ending apartheid happened in Cape Town. Nelson Mandela gave his first public speech after being released from prison. This was on February 11, 1990, from the balcony of Cape Town City Hall. His speech marked the start of a new era for South Africa. The first democratic election was held four years later, in 1994.

Cape Town Today: Growth and Challenges

Cape Town has changed a lot since apartheid ended. The city has grown economically. It has attracted international investment and tourism. The Democratic Alliance (DA) political party took power in Cape Town in 2006. They are credited with making the city run better and safer. They have also helped the economy grow. Many South Africans see the Western Cape as the best-governed province and city.

The city's economy has become more diverse. Finance, retail, real estate, and tourism are growing. The City Centre Improvement District (CCID) has helped make the city center lively again. This has brought businesses and people back. Places like Greenmarket Square and Company's Garden have been improved.

In 2014, Cape Town was named World Design Capital. It was also voted the best tourist spot in Africa at the 2023 World Travel Awards. It has been named the best travel city in the world by the Telegraph Travel Awards every year since 2013.

However, the effects of apartheid's planning are still visible. There are big differences between rich areas and poorer townships. About 60% of the city's people live in townships and informal settlements. These are often far from the city center. Many Black South Africans still live in informal settlements. They have limited access to basic services like healthcare and education. Unemployment is high, especially for groups who faced disadvantages in the past.

Cape Town faced a serious water shortage from 2015 to 2018. The city successfully cut its water use by more than half in three years. This prevented a major crisis. In 2021, Cape Town also had a violent conflict between rival taxi groups.

Since 2010, a small movement for Cape independence has grown. This movement wants the Western Cape to become a separate country.

Cape Town's Natural Beauty and Environment

Cape Town is located at about 33.55° South and 18.25° East. This is similar to cities like Sydney and Buenos Aires.

Table Mountain is a famous landmark. It has steep cliffs and a flat top over 1,000 meters high. Devil's Peak and Lion's Head are on either side. They form a dramatic mountain backdrop for the central area, called the City Bowl. Sometimes, a thin cloud forms on top of Table Mountain. People call it the "tablecloth." South of the city, the Cape Peninsula is a scenic mountain range. It stretches 40 kilometers south into the Atlantic Ocean. It ends at Cape Point.

More than 70 peaks over 300 meters high are within Cape Town's city limits. Many suburbs are on a large flat area called the Cape Flats. This area extends over 50 kilometers to the east. It connects the peninsula to the mainland. The Cape Town region has a long coastline, rugged mountains, and flat plains.

Cape Town's Changing Climate

Cape Town has a warm Mediterranean climate. This means it has mild, somewhat wet winters and dry, warm summers. Winter is from June to September. Cold fronts from the Atlantic Ocean bring rain and strong winds. Winter temperatures average a high of 18°C and a low of 8.5°C. Snow and frost are rare, except on Table Mountain.

The city gets about 515 millimeters of rain each year. In the Southern Suburbs, closer to the mountains, rainfall is much higher. It averages closer to 1,000 millimeters.

Summer is from December to March. It is warm and dry, with average highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Sometimes, a hot, dry wind called the "Berg Wind" blows from the interior. Spring and summer often have a strong wind from the south-east. It's known as the "Cape Doctor" because it helps clear air pollution. Cape Town gets about 3,100 hours of sunshine each year.

Water temperatures vary a lot. They can be 10°C on the Atlantic side and over 22°C in False Bay. Cape Town does not have many thunderstorms. Most occur between October and December, and March and April.

Climate Change and Sea Level Rise

Scientists predict that Cape Town's climate will become warmer. By 2050, it might feel more like Perth, Australia. The yearly temperature could increase by 1.1°C.

Cape Town is one of 12 major African cities that could be greatly affected by future sea level rise. This could cause significant damage. Sea level rise is expected to continue for thousands of years. This means cities will need to adapt to these changes.

Ocean Temperatures Around Cape Town

The ocean water around Cape Town varies from cold to mild. The temperature difference between the two sides of the peninsula can be big. The Atlantic side averages about 13°C yearly. The False Bay coast is much warmer, averaging 16°C to 17°C annually. In summer, False Bay water averages over 20°C. It can sometimes reach 22°C.

Beaches on the Atlantic Coast have colder water. This is because of winds that cause cold water to rise from the deep ocean. This cold water helps form the Benguela Current. False Bay beaches can be up to 10°C warmer in summer.

Amazing Plants and Animals

Cape Town is in a special place called a biodiversity hotspot. It's also part of the unique Cape Floristic Region. This means Cape Town has one of the highest levels of different plants and animals in the world. These protected areas are a World Heritage Site. About 2,200 plant species are found only on Table Mountain. This is more than in the whole of the United Kingdom. Many of these plants, including many types of proteas, grow nowhere else.

The city is home to 19 different types of plant life. Several of these are found only in Cape Town. It is also the only home for hundreds of species that are rare or endangered. This huge variety of species is because the city is located where different soil types and climates meet.

Table Mountain has a very rich variety of life. Its plants are mostly different types of the unique Cape Fynbos. The main type is endangered Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos. But other types like Peninsula Granite Fynbos and Afromontane forest also grow there.

Fast population growth and city expansion have covered many of these natural areas. Because of this, Cape Town now has over 300 threatened plant species. Thirteen species are now extinct. The Cape Peninsula, which is part of Cape Town, has the most threatened species of any similar-sized area in the world.

Small groups of rare plants sometimes survive on roadsides and sports fields. The remaining natural areas are protected by over 30 nature reserves. This includes the huge Table Mountain National Park.

In 2019, Cape Town won first place in the iNaturalist City Nature Challenge. This was for having the most observations and most species. This shows how rich the local plant and animal life is. A worldwide study suggests that Cape Town has one of the highest extinction rates for local plants. This is partly because their habitats are very small and specific.

People and Communities of Cape Town

Historical population
Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1658 360 —     1731 3,157 +3.02% 1823 15,500 +1.74% 1833 19,227 +2.18% 1836 20,000 +1.32% 1875 45,000 +2.10% 1891 67,000 +2.52% 1901 171,000 +9.82% 1936 344,223 +2.02% 1950 618,000 +4.27% 1955 705,000 +2.67% 1960 803,000 +2.64% 1965 945,000 +3.31%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1970 1,114,000 +3.35% 1975 1,339,000 +3.75% 1980 1,609,000 +3.74% 1985 1,933,000 +3.74% 1990 2,296,000 +3.50% 1996 2,565,018 +1.86% 2001 2,892,243 +2.43% 2007 3,497,097 +3.22% 2011 3,740,025 +1.69% 2016 4,004,793 +1.38% 2021 4,678,900 +3.16% 2022 4,772,846 +2.01%
Note: Census figures (1996–2011) cover figures after 1994 reflect the greater Cape Town metropolitan municipality reflecting post-1994 reforms. Sources: 1658–1904, 1823, 1833, 1936, 1950–1990, 1996, 2001, and 2011 Census; 2007, 2016 & 2021, 2022

In 2011, the City of Cape Town metropolitan area had 3,740,026 people. This area includes suburbs and outer areas. This was a 2.6% increase each year since 2001.

When asked about their first language, 35.7% spoke Afrikaans. 29.8% spoke Xhosa, and 28.4% spoke English. About 24.8% of the population is under 15 years old. The number of women is slightly higher than men.

In 2011, over 70% of people who moved to the Western Cape from other provinces settled in Cape Town. Many came from the Eastern Cape.

By 2016, the City of Cape Town metro had 4,004,793 people. Of these, 45.7% were Black African. 35.1% were Coloured, 16.2% were White, and 1.6% were Asian.

Recently, more wealthy and middle-class South Africans have been moving to coastal areas like Cape Town. This is sometimes called "semigration." Reasons include better city services and power supply issues in other parts of the country.

The city's population is expected to grow by another 400,000 people between 2020 and 2025. Most of these new residents will be in the low-income group.

Religions in Cape Town

In 2015, most people (82.3%) said they were Christian. 8% were Muslim, and 3.8% followed traditional African religions. About 3.1% said they had no particular religion.

Most places of worship are Christian churches. These include the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa (NGK), Zion Christian Church, and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cape Town.

Islam is the second largest religion in the city. It has a long history in Cape Town. There are many mosques and other Muslim sites. The Auwal Mosque is South Africa's first mosque.

Cape Town has a notable Jewish population. They have several synagogues. The historic Gardens Shul is the oldest Jewish congregation in South Africa. Marais Road Shul in Sea Point is the largest Jewish congregation in South Africa.

Other religious sites include Hindu and Buddhist temples.

Cape Town's Economy: A Hub of Activity

Top publicly traded companies in the Cape Town/Stellenbosch region for 2021 (ranked by market capitalisation) with Metropolitan and JSE ranks
Metro		corporation		JSE
1		Naspers		4
2		Capitec		14
3		Sanlam		20
4		Shoprite		24
5		Pepkor		30
6		Clicks		32
7		Woolworths		35
8		Remgro		37
Source: JSE top 40

Cape Town is South Africa's second most important economic center. It is also the third largest economic hub in Africa. It is a major manufacturing center in the Western Cape. In 2019, the city's economy was worth R489 billion (US$33.04 billion). This was 71.1% of the Western Cape's total economy. It also made up 9.6% of South Africa's total economy. The city had 11.1% of all employed people in the country.

Since the Great Recession, Cape Town's economic growth has slowed. However, its population growth has stayed steady at about 2% per year. About 80% of the city's economic activity comes from the service industry. Finance, retail, real estate, food, and beverage industries are the biggest contributors to the city's growth.

In 2008, Cape Town was named the most entrepreneurial city in South Africa. People in Cape Town were almost three times more likely to start new businesses than the national average.

Cape Town is a major center for the information technology industry in Africa. It has the most successful IT companies on the continent. This includes a growing number of companies in the space industry. The high-tech industry in Cape Town is becoming more important to the city's economy. It is growing at 8.5% annually. Many new tech companies and startups are located here.

The city has the largest film industry in the Southern Hemisphere. In 2013, it made R5 billion (US$476.19 million) in revenue. It also created about 6,058 direct jobs and 2,502 indirect jobs. Much of this industry is based at the Cape Town Film Studios.

Major Companies in Cape Town

Most companies based in Cape Town are insurance companies, retail groups, publishers, and design firms. There are also fashion designers, shipping companies, and advertising agencies. Some well-known companies include the food and fashion retailer Woolworths. Also, supermarket chains Pick n Pay Stores and Shoprite are here. Other notable companies are New Clicks Holdings Limited, Foschini Group, and MWEB. Multinational media giant Naspers and financial services companies Sanlam and Old Mutual Park are also based here.

Other important companies include Belron, Ceres Fruit Juices, and Capitec Bank. Cape Town is a manufacturing base for several global companies. These include Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, and Levi Strauss & Co.. Amazon Web Services has one of its largest facilities in Cape Town. The city also serves as the Africa headquarters for its parent company Amazon.

Tourism: Exploring Cape Town's Wonders

The Western Cape is a very important tourist area in South Africa. Tourism makes up 9.8% of the province's economy. It also employs 9.6% of its workers. In 2010, over 1.5 million international tourists visited the area. Cape Town is a popular international tourist spot in South Africa and Africa. This is because of its mild climate, natural beauty, and good facilities.

The city has several famous natural features that attract tourists. The most notable is Table Mountain. It is a large part of the Table Mountain National Park. You can reach the top by hiking or by taking the Table Mountain Cableway. Cape Point is a dramatic headland at the end of the Cape Peninsula. Many tourists also drive along Chapman's Peak Drive. This road offers amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean and nearby mountains. You can also drive or hike up Signal Hill for closer views of the City Bowl and Table Mountain.

Many tourists also visit Cape Town's beaches. These are popular with local people too. You can visit several different beaches in one day. Each has its own unique feel. The beaches in Clifton and on the Atlantic Coast are well-developed. They have restaurants and cafes. The Atlantic seaboard is known as Cape Town's Riviera. It is one of the most scenic routes in South Africa. Boulders Beach near Simon's Town is famous for its colony of African penguins.

The city has several interesting cultural attractions. The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is built on part of the docks. It is the city's most visited tourist attraction. It's also a popular shopping area with many shops and the Two Oceans Aquarium. The V&A Waterfront is also where ferries leave for Robben Island. You can take a ferry from the V&A to Hout Bay and Simon's Town. You can also visit the Cape fur seal colonies on Seal and Duiker Islands.

Popular areas for visitors to stay include Camps Bay, Sea Point, the V&A Waterfront, the City Bowl, and Hout Bay. In November 2013, Cape Town was voted the best global city in The Daily Telegraph's Travel Awards. Cape Town offers many adventure activities. These include helicopter rides, paragliding, skydiving, and scuba diving. You can also go hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing. Surfing is popular, and the city hosts the Red Bull Big Wave Africa competition.

The City of Cape Town works with Cape Town Tourism to promote the city. They want to attract more visitors. The Tristan da Cunha government even has a special lodging in Cape Town. It offers discounts to its residents. Cape Town's transport system connects it to the rest of South Africa. It is a starting point for exploring other places in the province. The Cape Winelands, with towns like Stellenbosch and Paarl, are popular day trips for sightseeing and wine tasting.

City Life: Infrastructure and Services

Most goods are moved through the Port of Cape Town or Cape Town International Airport. Many major shipbuilding companies have offices in Cape Town. The province is also important for energy. The Koeberg nuclear power station provides energy for the Western Cape.

Greater Cape Town has four main business areas. The Cape Town Central Business District has most of the jobs and office space. Century City, the Bellville/Tygervalley area, and Claremont are also well-known business hubs.

Learning and Education

Public schools in Cape Town are managed by the Western Cape Education Department. This department divides the city into four "Metropole" districts. There are also many private schools. Cape Town has a well-developed system of public universities. There are three main public universities: the University of Cape Town (UCT), the University of the Western Cape (UWC), and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). Stellenbosch University is not in the city center, but it has campuses nearby.

Both the University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University are leading universities in South Africa. This is partly due to large financial contributions. UCT teaches in English. It has over 21,000 students. Its MBA program was ranked 51st globally in 2006. It is also the top-ranked university in Africa.

The Cape Peninsula University of Technology was formed in 2005. It was created by merging two older institutions. This university mainly teaches in English. It usually awards the National Diploma. Students from universities and high schools are involved in the South African SEDS. This group prepares students for the growing space industry.

Besides universities, there are several colleges in Cape Town. These include the College of Cape Town and False Bay College. Many students use NSFAS funding to help pay for their education. Cape Town has also become a popular place for international students to study abroad.

Water Supply and the Water Crisis

The Western Cape Water Supply System (WCWSS) is a system of dams, pipelines, and tunnels. It provides water to the Western Cape region of South Africa. It includes six main dams and other smaller ones. Some are managed by the government, and some by the City of Cape Town.

The 2017-2018 Water Crisis

Cape Town faced a serious water shortage from 2017 to 2018. Dam water levels had been dropping since 2015. The crisis was worst from mid-2017 to mid-2018. Water levels were very low, between 15% and 30% of total capacity.

In late 2017, people started talking about "Day Zero." This was the day when the dams might fall below 13.5% capacity. If this happened, city water supplies would be mostly shut off. Residents would have to queue for their daily water ration. Cape Town would have been the first major city in the world to run out of water.

The city put in place strict water restrictions. They successfully cut daily water use by more than half. This reduced it to about 500 million liters per day by March 2018. This reduction helped the city delay "Day Zero." Strong rains started in June 2018, and dam levels recovered. By September 2018, dam levels were almost 70%. The city began to ease water restrictions. Good rains in 2020 ended the drought. Dam levels reached 95%. However, there are still concerns that future droughts could happen if water use is not managed carefully.

Getting Around: Transport in Cape Town

Air Travel

Cape Town International Airport handles both local and international flights. It is the second-largest airport in South Africa. It is a main entry point for travelers to the Cape region. Cape Town has regular flights to many places. These include Southern Africa, East Africa, Europe, and the United States.

The airport opened a new central terminal building. This was to handle more air traffic for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Other improvements include new parking garages and a new Bus Rapid Transit system station. The airport's cargo facilities are also being expanded.

Cape Town is one of five cities recognized as a gateway to Antarctica. Commercial flights have operated from Cape Town to Antarctica since 2021. Cape Town International Airport has won awards for being Africa's leading airport. It is located 18 kilometers from the city center.

Sea Travel

Cape Town has a long history as a port city. It was a stop for ships on the Cape Route. This earned it nicknames like "Tavern of the Seas." The Port of Cape Town is the city's main port. It is in Table Bay, north of the city center. The port is a busy hub for ships in the southern Atlantic. It is on one of the world's busiest shipping routes. It is also a stopover for goods going to or from Latin America and Asia. It is the second-busiest container port in South Africa, after Durban. In 2004, it handled over 3,000 ships and 9.2 million tonnes of cargo.

Simon's Town Harbour, on the False Bay coast, is the main base for the South African Navy.

Rail Travel

The Shosholoza Meyl operates long-distance passenger train services from Cape Town. As of 2024, there is a weekly service to and from Johannesburg. These trains stop at Cape Town railway station and Bellville. Cape Town also has two luxury tourist train routes. These are operated by the Ceres Rail Company. They travel from the Waterfront to Simon's Town and Grabouw.

Metrorail runs a commuter rail service in Cape Town and nearby areas. The Metrorail network has 96 stations across the suburbs.

Road Network

Cape Town is the starting point for three national roads. The N1 and N2 begin near the city center. The N7 runs north towards Namibia. The N1 goes east-north-east through towns like Goodwood and Bellville. It connects Cape Town to major inland cities like Bloemfontein and Johannesburg.

The N2 runs east-south-east through areas like Rondebosch and Khayelitsha. It connects Cape Town with coastal cities like George and Port Elizabeth.

There are also many regional routes connecting Cape Town to surrounding areas. The R27 runs north along the coast. It passes through suburbs like Milnerton and Bloubergstrand. The R44 connects Stellenbosch to Somerset West.

Cape Town uses "M" routes for important routes within the city. These are called Metropolitan Routes. The M3 connects the City Bowl to Muizenberg. The M5 links the Cape Flats to the city center. Cape Town has the worst traffic congestion in South Africa.

Bus Services

Golden Arrow Bus Services runs scheduled bus services in Cape Town. Several companies also offer long-distance bus services from Cape Town to other South African cities.

MyCiTi Bus System

Cape Town has a public transport system called MyCiTi. It covers about 10% of the city. It runs along the west coastline from north to south.

MyCiTi includes services linking the Airport to the city center. It also connects areas like Blouberg, Atlantis, Melkbosstrand, and Hout Bay. The MyCiTi N2 Express service has four routes. These connect the city center to Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain on the Cape Flats.

The service uses different types of buses. They run on dedicated busways and main roads. MyCiTi offers easy access for everyone. You pay using a special smart card called myconnect. Buses run frequently during busy times.

Taxis and Ride-Sharing

Cape Town has taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber. Taxis are either metered taxis or minibus taxis. Metered taxis can be found at transport hubs and tourist spots. Minibus taxis are found at ranks or on main streets. You can hail minibus taxis from the road.

Cape Town metered taxis mostly operate in the city bowl and suburbs. Larger companies can be called by phone and are often cheaper. There are about one thousand metered taxis in Cape Town. Their rates vary.

Minibus taxis are the main way most people travel if they don't own a car. These taxis are sometimes not well-maintained. They often make unscheduled stops to pick up passengers. This can sometimes cause accidents. Because of high demand, minibus taxis are often very full.

Culture and Lifestyle in Cape Town

Cape Town is known for its architecture. It has the most Cape Dutch style buildings in the world. This style mixes Dutch, German, French, and Indonesian traditions. You can see it in Constantia and the old government buildings.

The annual Cape Town Minstrel Carnival is a big festival. It's also called Kaapse Klopse in Afrikaans. It happens every year on January 2nd, or "Second New Year." Teams of minstrels wear bright costumes. They perform Cape Jazz music. They carry colorful umbrellas or play musical instruments. The Artscape Theatre Centre is the largest performing arts venue in Cape Town. The city was named the World Design Capital for 2014.

The city also has the 36-hectare Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. It has protected natural forest and fynbos. It is home to many animals and birds. Over 7,000 plant species are grown at Kirstenbosch. Many are rare or threatened. In 2004, this region, including Kirstenbosch, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Whale watching is popular with tourists. Southern right whales and humpback whales are seen off the coast from August to November. Bryde's whales and orca can be seen any time of year. The nearby town of Hermanus is famous for its Whale Festival. But you can also see whales in False Bay.

The only complete windmill in South Africa is Mostert's Mill in Mowbray. It was built in 1796.

Local Food and Flavors

Cape Town has unique foods. One is Bobotie, a savory-sweet spiced meat dish from the 17th century. The Gatsby is a sandwich filled with slap chips and other toppings. It was first served in 1976 in Athlone. The koe'sister is a traditional Cape Malay pastry. It's a cinnamon-flavored dumpling with coconut. Malva pudding is a sticky sweet dessert often served with custard. It is also linked to the city and dates back to the 17th century.

Cape Town is also the home of the South African wine industry. The first wine in the country was bottled here. Many famous wineries still exist in the city, like Groot Constantia.

Media and News

Several newspapers, magazines, and printing companies have offices in Cape Town. Independent News and Media publishes the main English papers: the Cape Argus and the Cape Times. Naspers, a large media company, publishes Die Burger, the main Afrikaans paper.

Cape Town has many local community newspapers. Some of the largest English ones are the Athlone News and the Atlantic Sun. Afrikaans papers include the Tygerburger. Vukani, based in the Cape Flats, is published in Xhosa.

Cape Town is a center for broadcast media. Several radio stations broadcast only within the city. 94.5 Kfm and Good Hope FM play mostly pop music. Heart FM plays jazz and R&B. Fine Music Radio plays classical music and jazz. Bush Radio is a community radio station. The Voice of the Cape and Cape Talk are major talk radio stations. Bokradio plays Afrikaans music. The University of Cape Town also has its own radio station, UCT Radio.

e.tv has a large studio complex in Gardens. Cape Town TV is a local TV station that focuses on documentaries. Many production companies are in the city. They help produce commercials, photo shoots, TV series, and movies from overseas.

Sports and Fun Activities

Cape Town's most popular sports are cricket, association football (soccer), swimming, and rugby union. In rugby, Cape Town is home to the Western Province team. They play at Cape Town Stadium in the Currie Cup. Western Province players also form part of the Stormers team in the United Rugby Championship. Cape Town has hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It also hosts the Africa leg of the World Rugby 7s every year. It hosted the 2023 Netball World Cup.

Association football, or soccer, is also very popular. Two clubs from Cape Town play in the Premier Soccer League (PSL). These are Cape Town Spurs F.C. and Cape Town City F.C.. Cape Town hosted several matches for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The city built a new 70,000-seat stadium (Cape Town Stadium) for this event.

In cricket, the Cape Cobras represent Cape Town at the Newlands Cricket Ground. This team combines players from Western Province Cricket and Boland Cricket. The Newlands Cricket Ground often hosts international matches.

Cape Town has experience hosting big sports events. The Cape Town Cycle Tour is the world's largest timed road cycling race. Over 35,000 cyclists ride a 109-kilometer route around Cape Town. The Absa Cape Epic is the largest mountain bike race in the world. Cape Town has also hosted World Championships in sports like athletics, fencing, and hockey. It was also a host city for the 2009 Indian Premier League cricket tournament.

There are several golf courses in Cape Town. The Clovelly Country Club and Metropolitan Golf Club both have 18 holes.

Cape Town's long coastline is great for scuba diving. The water conditions vary, offering many different dive sites. You can explore reefs and shipwrecks on both sides of the Cape Peninsula.

False Bay is open to the south. This means waves from the southwest often come in. The Atlantic coast gets the full power of waves from the southern ocean. This creates some world-class big wave surfing spots. There are more than 20 named surfing spots in False Bay.

See also

In Spanish: Ciudad del Cabo para niños