Port Elizabeth is one of the largest cities in the east of South Africa, in the Cape Province. For travelers, there will be interesting reserves, which showcase representatives of the fauna and flora of South Africa, and for vacationers, beautiful beaches, diving and entertainment centers.
Geography and location
As you can see in the photo, Port Elizabeth is located on the shores of Algoa Bay in the south of Eastern Cape. By location, it is located on the shores of the Indian Ocean, between Cape Town (770 km to it) and Durban. Geographical coordinates of longitude and latitude Port Elizabeth: 25 ° 36'00 '' E and 33 ° 57'29 '' S The city lies 16 km along the coast.
It is also called “Friendly City” and “City of the Winds”. The population is about 1, 15 million people (2018), in terms of number it takes 5th place among the cities of South Africa. The population is dominated by South Africans with black skin (58%), as well as “colored” (23%), “white” (16%) and Asians (more than 1%). Christianity prevails (89% of the population).
History of the city
For the first time, Europeans appeared here during the expeditions of B. Dias (1488) and Vasco de Gama (1498), who sailed here to replenish fresh water reserves. In 1799, during the war with Napoleon, the British authorities erected the stone fort Frederick here. He was supposed to protect the settlement from the landing of French troops. Fort Frederick has survived to this day - it is one of the attractions of Port Elizabeth.
In 1820, 400 thousand immigrants from Britain arrived here to establish the Cape Colony, which was supposed to strengthen the influence of Europeans in southeastern South Africa. Until that time, the territory was under the control of Zulu tribes, forming Zululand. The Zulu king Shako allowed the settlers to establish a city on these lands in exchange for a gift in the form of firearms.
The city received its name in honor of the late wife of Elizabeth, the first governor of the Cape Colony - Sir Rufan Donkin. Since 1861, he received autonomy status with the local municipality. The rapid development of the city began in 1873 with the construction of the railway to the city of Kimberley.
During the 2nd Boer War, the port became a transit point, as soldiers sailed here on ships, food supplies and horses were brought. Due to hostilities, the city was replenished with refugees, among whom were Boer families with children. They were interned by Great Britain in concentration camps.
In 1905, at the direction of the mayor of the city, Alexander Fettes, a monument was unveiled to the horses who died in the war. In total, more than 300 thousand horses fell here during the hostilities. The monument is one of 3 such memorials in the world.
Climate and industry
For Port Elizabeth (South Africa), the climate is subtropical, during the year there are light rains. In summer, the temperature is + 18 ... + 25 ° , in winter - + 9 ... + 20 ° . Record values of cold are -1 ° , and heat - +41 ° .
The city is the largest industrial center of the Cape of South Africa: here are located automotive enterprises of giant corporations Ford, Volkswagen and General Motors. Therefore, there is a museum of cars, which presents a large collection of cars (more than 80 exhibits), collected during the 1920-1960s.
The main income comes from the seaport; only in terms of ore transported does it exceed all similar figures in the countries of the southern hemisphere. The city has an airport, which is the 4th by the number of flights and traffic in South Africa. There is also a train and bus connection with other settlements.
sights
For lovers of ancient architecture in Port Elizabeth, it will be interesting to dive into the quarters of the upper part of the city, built up with Victorian houses. There are cozy cafes and pubs, antique shops, historical and architectural monuments:
- The museum complex, consisting of Elephant Park, Snake Park, Oceanarium, Dolphinarium, Zoological Museum - here you can watch the inhabitants of the underwater world through glass, as well as a colony of penguins and fur seals that successfully perform for spectators (working hours 9: 00-16 :thirty).
- The ancient fort Frederick, built by the British in 1799, his guns have never been fired.
- Horse Monument - Located at the corner of Ressel and Cape Roads.
- Nelson Mandela Museum of Art, Air Force Museum.
- The East London Museum, where unique exhibits are stored: a stuffed coelacanth - a huge fish that was recognized by scientists extinct 60 million years ago, but in 1938 a specimen of coelacanth was caught in the sea (its size was 1.6 m, weight 57 kg), dodo bird eggs, which the last time people saw at the end of the 17th century, is the only instance preserved on the planet.
Donkin Heritage Trail
This is a whole complex of historical places and buildings that demonstrates the path of immigrants who came here in 1820. The Donkin Trail stretches for 5 km and contains 47 objects, among which are historical and architectural sights of Port Elizabeth (South Africa) located in the central Old Hill area.
The route begins with the central market square, on which stands the Town Hall (1858) and the Diasz Cross (was established by B. Dias in 1488 on the banks of the Algoa, now the original is at the University of Johannesburg). Walking along Donkin Street, you can see the Reserve with a lighthouse and a stone pyramid, on which an inscription is made in honor of Elizabeth.
Further, the path passes through the building of the library of Casp Hill, which is an example of Victorian architecture and is considered one of the first built by immigrants. The next object is the Bell Tower (1926), from which you can see the panorama of the city. Nearby is the Cricket Club, where there are lawns for the game. The view of these buildings plunges travelers into the era of the past, reflecting the lives of immigrants who came to the Eastern Cape of South Africa many years ago.
National parks
Around Port Elizabeth there are many natural areas protected by law, where nature reserves and national parks have been created to preserve animals and wildlife. The most famous of them is Eddo Elephant (Elephant Park), where you can see up to 30 giant animals at a time. They move whole caravans to the watering hole, observing a certain hierarchy.
Nearby is the Shamvari Nature Reserve and the village of Kaya Lendaba, which was founded by a connoisseur of African antiquities and the famous medium Kredo Mutwe. The original buildings in the village embody and recreate the myths of ancient African tribes.
Here you can see how the soldiers dance, get a session from local forecasters of the future and look at the healers who heal in ancient African ways.
For lovers of wildlife, it will be interesting to visit the reserves of Graaff Reinet, Garden Route, Tsitsikamma, Cape Recife, etc.
Nelson Mandela Stadium
The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth was built in 2009, specially for hosting the World Cup in South Africa in 2010. It accommodates 50,000 fans and is located 2 km from the ocean. The stadium is considered the most modest construction on the budget - only 56 million euros were spent on its construction.
A distinctive architectural feature of the stadium is a complex of terraces that descend to the ocean. Sheet steel and artificial-membrane membranes were used to cover the building.
Beaches, hotels and entertainment
For tourists and travelers, the city of Port Elizabeth is interesting, first of all, for its chic clean beaches with clear sea water and fine sand, water activities. There are excellent conditions for lovers of scuba diving, diving, surfing and other hobbies.
For diving, scuba diving enthusiasts prefer:
- Bell Buoy (Bell Buoy) - the most popular place for diving divers, where you can see whole colonies of coral, a depth of 12-18 m;
- Devil's Reef - beautiful bottom peaks, depth 7 m;
- Riy Banks - colorful fish and corals, depth 18-40 m;
- Sunderblott Reef - lilac and orange placers of hard corals;
- sunken warship at a depth of 21 m (1987).
And those who are interested in surfing will be interested in information about Pollock Beach, where there are always high waves up to 50 m long and up to 1.5 m high, arising from the nearby sandy reef at the bottom.
On the coast there are many hotels, casinos and entertainment venues: Dolphin Theater, the local Disneyland, The Boardwalk Casino & Entertainment World, Bai West Shopping Center and others.