The Geography of Cape Town
Cape Town is the capital of South Africa’s Western Cape province. It is ideally situated at the north end of the Cape Peninsula, which features a dramatic “spine” of mountains that jut southward to the Atlantic Ocean. The city itself is cradled in the “bowl” between mountains and ocean, offering a wonderful variety of landscapes, views, and recreational activities for city denizens and visitors.
The city has more than 70 peaks that rise above 1000 feet within its official borders and even more just outside the city limits. Table Mountain, which was once an island, Lion’s Head, and Devil’s Peak are a few of the more well-known mountains that are popular with tourists.
Many of the city’s suburbs are located on the Cape Flats, a large plain that joins the peninsula to the African mainland. This area is categorized as a rising marine plain and is comprised mostly of sand.
Cape Town’s location at the meeting point of two oceans, the Atlantic and the Indian, provides an abundance of beaches and ocean activities. Many of the Cape Town South Africa hotels are located near the water, but still in easy distance of mountain attractions. The waters on the Atlantic side tend to be a bit colder than the Indian Ocean, due to the Benguela Current. However, surfing and scuba diving are popular sports as are kayaking, boating, and related activities. The area is also idea for whale watching and even great white shark expeditions.
The climate here is similiar to that of the Mediterranean. Winter (which is May to September) can see heavy precipation and strong winds with coll temperatures. Summer time (November to March) tends to be dry and warm, though the mountain topography can create dramatically different rainfall in specific areas. Strong south-east winds known as the Cape Doctor can clean the city’s air by blowing off pollution.
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