Traveling South Africa; The Western Cape

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Just like the Eastern Cape, The Western Cape also offers immense natural beauty, but the Western Cape also offers a large amount of historical value. The Western Cape offers what is considered to be the most modern amenities in South Africa, home to Cape Town the largest city in the country, but there are still very "outdated" parts. Where people still live in very small towns with little to no technology and use 19th century farming techniques. Although these towns and cities that make up the Western Cape are all so different, their cultures are what make the place a diverse, cultural wonderland.

Robben Island Museum
Robben Island Prison
 Robben Island is a very important piece of history not only for South Africa, but for the entire planet. This is where Nelson Mandela was held captive for many years for trying to overthrow the South African Government. Mandela was released from prison in 1990, from then he helped end apartheid and establish a democracy in South Africa. He later became the first black South African president. Mandela was a very influential person across the globe. And although Robben Island was a brutal place, it still holds a great amount of historical value. Tours are held everyday around the prison to show the harsh living conditions that Mandela and others lived in for many years.

Table Mountain National Park
View from Table Mountain

Table Mountain National Park is located just north of Cape Town. This mountain offers spectacular views of the Ocean and Cape Town. The mountain itself is just over 3500 feet tall. It feature climbing paths that reach the top, but also features a rail car system for people unable to make the climb to the top. The national park does not just include the mountain. There is a massive botanical garden that contains over 1300 species of plants while the park in total has more than 2200 species that call it home. This is one of the most diverse parks on the continent and nature enthusiasts flock to the park every year with millions of people going to the park every year. 

Skyline of Cape Town
The Western Cape has all of the modern amenities that any major city in the United States, with a completely different cultural landscape. This place is home to animals, plants, foods, people, etc. that you will not find anywhere else. This province should be high on everyone's bucket list to travel too.

Sources:
Images:

Informational:
“Cape Town.” Table Mountain, tablemountainnationalpark.org/.

“Nelson Mandela Released from Prison.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 9 Feb. 2010, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nelson-mandela-released-from-prison.

“Robben Island Museum.” Cape Town Travel, www.capetown.travel/member/robben-island-museum/.

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