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History |
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The first European vistitors in this area where Portuguese explorers Bartlomeu Dias, who landed in Algoa Bay in 1488, and Vasco da Gama who noted the nearby Bird Island in 1497. The area formed part of the Cape Colony, which had a tirbulant history between the Dutch East India Company in 1652 and the formation of the Union of South Africa in 1910. Encouraged by the government of the Cape Colony, 4000 British settlers arrived by sea in 1820 as a settlement to strenghten the border region between the Cape Colony and the Xosa tribe. When the railway was built to Kimberly in 1873 the town expanded, building a diverse community comprising European, Cape Malay and other immigrants. Concentration camps were built by the British for Boer women and children during the Second Boer War. Following that war, the Horse Memorial was erected to honour the thousands of horses and mules which died during the conflict. |
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Trade and Industry |
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Home of South Africa's motor vehicle industry, Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage host General Motors, Volkswagen, Ford, Continental Tyres and many more automotive companies. Most other industries in the NMMM are geared towards the motor vehicle industry, providing parts such as wiring harnesses, catalytic converters, batteries and tyres to the vehicle manufacturers. |
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Tourism |
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Located at the end of the picturesque Garden Route along the Cape coast, the city is one of South Africa's major destinations for tourists, many of whom come simply to enjoy the many fine beaches in and near the city.
The area surrounding the CBD has a number of historic attractions, many of which are linked by the Donkin Heritage Trail. These include the Campanile (bell tower), built in 1923 to commemorate the arrival of the 1820 Settlers and offering a great viewpoint over the city; the city hall (1862); the Donkin Reserve park and monument; and the old stone Fort Frederick itself (1799).
Other attractions include the gardens at St George's Park, the King George VI Art Gallery, the museum and oceanography room at Humewood, and the new Boardwalk waterfront complex.
The wider area surrounding PE also features a number of game viewing opportunities, including the famous Addo Elephant Park, 72km to the north near the Zuurberg mountain range and National Park.
Port Elizabeth is known commonly as the watersports capital of South Africa and boasts an ever increasing number of watersports events annually. Algoa bay is home to scuba diving, game fishing charters, surfing, windsurfing, kiteboarding to name but a few. There are many cruises offered from the harbour from sunset cruises to view dolphins to whale watching tours.
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Climate |
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"The Windy City" has a subtropical climate with light rain throughout the year. The area lies between the winter rainfall, Mediterranean climate zones of the Western Cape and the summer rainfall regions of eastern South Africa. Winters are cool but mild and summers are warm but considerably less humid and hot than more northerly parts of South Africa's east coast. |
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