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The Western Cape is situated on the south-western
tip of the African continent and is a scenic paradise of majestic mountains,
green valleys and forests, endless stretches of pristine beaches and a treasure
trove of flora.
The Western Cape is one of six floral kingdoms of the world.
Although the smallest, the Western Cape Floral Kingdom, locally called fynbos,
contains more plant species than the whole of Europe. These include that most
recognisable of South African symbols, the protea.
The cold Atlantic Ocean along the West Coast is a rich fishing
area, while the warmer Indian Ocean skirts its southern beaches.
The capital city of Cape Town, affectionately known as the Mother
City, has been rated as one of the world's Top Ten tourist destinations. Visitors
are enchanted by "the city that is not a city". A warm and welcoming
city filled with warm and welcoming people, the name best describes the laid-back
way of life enjoyed by Capetonians.
Major towns in the province include Vredenburg-Saldanha situated
on the West Coast, an important harbour for iron exports and the fishing industry;
Stellenbosch in the heart of the Winelands and a prime tourist destination;
George, capital of the Garden Route, renowned for indigenous timber and vegetable
produce and Oudtshoorn in the arid Karoo region, known for its ostrich farms
and world-famous Cango Caves.
The Knysna-Tsitsikamma region boasts the country's biggest indigenous
forests and forms part of the scenically magnificent 220km Garden Route. This
is a wonderland of age-old forest giants, ferns and prolific birdlife. Products
of the forests include sought-after furniture made from indigenous yellowwood,
stinkwood and white pear.
The tourism sector is undeniably the most important growth force
in the Western Cape. More than four million people live in the Western Cape
on 129 386 km2 of land. The sheltered valleys between the mountains provide
ideal conditions for the cultivation of export quality apples, grapes, olives,
peaches and oranges, among others. In the eastern part of the Western Cape region,
a substantial variety of vegetables are cultivated.
The province can be divided into three climatic regions. The
area around the Cape Peninsula, Boland and Overberg is a winter rainfall region
with sunny, dry summers. Towards George, along the south coast, the climate
gradually changes to year-round rainfall, while inland, towards the more arid
Great Karoo, the climate changes to summer rainfall.
The Western Cape is one of the world's finest grape-growing regions
with a multitude of international awards under its belt. The Klein Karoo region
around Oudtshoorn is the centre of the ostrich farming industry, where fine
leatherware, ostrich feathers and meat are exported to destinations all over
the world.
The West Coast is washed by the cold Benguela Current, a plankton-rich
current considered to be one of the world's richest fishing grounds. The province
is renowned for its variety of seafoods and restaurants dotted along the scenic
coastline offer Snoek, Cape lobster, abalone, calamari, octopus, oysters and
mussels and many other sought after piscatorial delights.
The head offices of all but one of South Africa's petroleum companies
are located in Cape Town and the city also houses the head offices of many of
the country's insurance giants and retail chains. More than 170,000 people are
employed in the clothing and textile industry, making it the single most significant
industrial source of employment in the province. South Africa's major printing
and publishing industry is also situated in the city.
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