George, Western Cape

Province

George is a town on the Garden Route in the town of George, District Eden, Western Cape Province in South Africa. The city is located about 430 kilometers east of Cape Town and 330 km west of Port Elizabeth. With 157 394 inhabitants ( 2011) it is one of the largest cities in the Western Cape. George is an important industrial city and has a university. Just a few kilometers from the Indian Ocean spreads the city on a plateau on the southern edge of the Outeniqua Mountains.

History

The city was founded in 1811 under British rule. Derive their name from King George III.

In George are four notable churches: 1825 finished Pacaltsdorp Church, which makes it the oldest church in the region, the Dutch Reformed Moederkerk, consecrated after 12 years of construction in 1842 and has a 23 meter high tower and one meter thick walls, St. Peter & St. Paul in the Meade Street, the oldest Catholic church in South Africa, and the St. Mark 's Cathedral, which was the smallest cathedral in the southern hemisphere until its expansion in 1924.

In George is the King Edward VII Public Library.

George has the George Airport and offers many shopping and leisure facilities mainly due to the proximity to the sea.

George is especially popular among golf players. The Fancourt Hotel has a significant golf course.

Two historic streets in George take their origin:

• The historic Montagu Pass over the Outeniqua Mountains (1847 )
• The Seven Passes Road between George and Knysna.

By George perverted by 2010 a historic steam train, the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe, on a sometimes spectacular route, which was however discontinued in the meantime due to lack of profitability.

Twinning

• Tacoma, USA