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Cape Town

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

Cape Town or Capetown, city (1991 pop. 854,616), legislative capital of South Africa and capital of Western Cape, a port on the Atlantic Ocean. It was the capital of Cape Province before that province's subdivision in 1994. The city lies at the foot of Table Mt. (c.3,570 ft/1,090 m) and on the shore of Table Bay. Cape Town is a commercial and industrial center; oil refining, food, chemical, and fertilizer processing, and the manufacture of automobiles, leather and plastic goods, and clothing are the chief industries. An important port, Cape Town exports mainly gold, diamonds, and fruits. With one of the world's largest drydocks, ship repairing is an important industry. Much of the former dock area is now a commercial and tourist waterfront area with museums, craft markets, and restaurants.

Cape Town was founded in 1652 by Governor Jan van Riebeeck as a supply station on the Dutch East India Company's sea route to the East. In 1795 the British occupied the city. It was returned to the Dutch in 1803 but recaptured in 1806 by the British, who established Cape of Good Hope Colony with Cape Town as capital. When the Union of South Africa was formed in 1910, Cape Town became its legislative capital and Pretoria its administrative capital.

Cape Town's attractions include the Castle, a fortress dating from 1666; the Dutch Reformed church (begun 1699); Old Town House (1755), which contains a museum of 17th-century Flemish and Dutch paintings; and botanical gardens and an aquarium. Cape College for Advanced Technical Education is in Cape Town; nearby is the Groote Schuur estate, which includes the prime minister's residence and the Univ. of Cape Town. The city has an international airport. Robben Island, a former political prison, is offshore.

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Cape Town

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Copyright

Cape Town City and seaport at the foot of Table Mountain, South Africa. It is South Africa's legislative capital and the capital of Western Cape province. Founded in 1652 by the Dutch East India Company, it came under British rule in 1795. Places of interest include the Union Parliament, a 17th-century castle, the National Historic Museum, and the University of Cape Town (founded 1829). It is an important industrial and commercial centre. Industries: clothing, engineering equipment, motor vehicles, wine. Pop. (2002) 2,686,000.

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Cape Town

Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names | 2005 | | Copyright

Cape Town (Afrikaans: Kaapstad), Western Cape/South AfricaCabo de Goede Hoop, De Kaap Founded in 1652 by an official of the Dutch East India Company as ‘The Cape of Good Hope’ and then as ‘The Cape’, it was intended to be a food supply depot for Dutch ships sailing between the Netherlands and the Indies. Occupied by the British in 1795, it was often thereafter referred to as Cape Town. It is the legislative capital.

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JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Cape Town." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Cape Town." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-CapeTown.html

JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Cape Town." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-CapeTown.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Ahern's out in Africa as tax noose tightens; (1) Lap of luxury: The Taoiseach... Newspaper article from: Daily Mail (London); 1/14/2008
	Cape Town--the world's most beautiful city? (City Guide). Magazine article from: African Business; 9/1/2002
	Hub of the southern universe. (port of Cape Town)(Special Report: Western Cape) Magazine article from: African Business; 7/1/1998