Western Cape Travel Guide

The Western Cape is the most southern part of South Africa, with Cape Agulhas being the most southern point of Africa. Two oceans, the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean meet on the coast of the Western Cape. The province has six distinct tourism regions namely Cape Town and Surrounds, West Coast, Cape Winelands, Overberg, Garden Route, Klein Karoo and Central Karoo. The Western Cape is home to various cultures giving the province a cosmopolitan flavor. This diverse province is one of the world’s greatest tourist destinations with its natural beauty, friendly hospitality, and excellent wine and rich cuisine. The Cape Floral Kingdom, which is distinguished by fynbos and the protea family, is the smallest of the world’s six floral kingdoms. Other attractions in the Western Cape includes the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Robben Island, Table Mountain, the wines and beautiful mountain scenery of the Winelands, spectacular scenery of the much-loved Garden Route and many more.

With a typically Mediterranean climate, and low summer rainfall, the Western Cape has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

The primary language is Afrikaans, followed by isiXhosa and English.

Cape Town is the capital city of the Western Cape, and one of the most beautiful cities in the world today. Other popular towns in the Western Cape include Paarl, Worcester, Stellenbosch, Hermanus, Vredenburg, Malmesbury, Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Oudtshoorn and Beaufort West.

Fact Sheet: The Western Cape
Population	4 739 090
Capital	Cape Town
Area	129 462 square kilometres
Population density	37 people per square kilometre
Gross regional product	R181-billion (2003)
Share of total GDP	14.5%