East London, Eastern Cape

Province

East London (English, Afrikaans: Oos- Londen, Xhosa: Imonti ) is a 267 007 inhabitants ( 2011) A city in the metropolitan municipality of Buffalo City, Amathole District, Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. It lies at the mouth of the Buffalo and Nahoon River in the Indian Ocean.

History

East London was first established in 1836 as a military outpost of the British ( Fort Glamorgan ) and served as a base during the border wars. The town grew with the settlement of German settlers in 1857 to the fort, who had previously served in the British German Legion of the Crimean War. Later East London received its town charter. Received its current name of the city in 1848 by the British High Commissioner Sir Harry Smith.

The population development shows the urban growth through traffic and industrialization:

In the 19th and the first half of the 20th century the city as handling and processing for wool and leather products had their economic focus. These products came from the farming areas of the Eastern Cape and Orange Free State.

In 2000, East London was merged with King William 's Town and Bisho to the administrative district Local Municipality Buffalo City.

Transport and the economy

By Air East London is only accessible from other South African air hubs, since the city 's airport is not designed for international flights.

Several main roads connect East London with the neighboring regions. These are the coast to Port Elizabeth and Durban, as well as north-west or north leading routes. After Bloemfontein driving over Aliwal North on the N6 national road. The route of the National Road N2 is passable as a highway to King William 's Town and is currently (2008) expanded up to Alice.

A railway track inland and branches at Bisho towards Aliwal North and Port Elizabeth.

The Port of East London is today mainly a cargo port of medium size. The port and the downstream businesses provide numerous jobs.

For the region, the town is a major service center with structures of commerce and small business. The most important employer is the Daimler AG, which is based in East London Motor vehicles ( cars and trucks ) for the South African market and other countries like Australia. Accordingly, there are many of auto parts suppliers have established.

Education

In East London there is a campus of the Walter Sisulu University. In Selborne district is the Buffalo City Public FET College, a device for professional -oriented training.

Climate

In East London the average daily maximum values ​​increase during the summer months on up to over 27 ° C, the daily low will be around 18-20 ° C. In winter, average maximum values ​​are reached at 22 ° C and average minimum temperatures of about 13 ° C. During the winter months of June and July with falls about 30 mm comparatively little rain in the summer months, rainfall then rises to just below 100 mm.

Attractions

• East London Museum
• City Hall (1897 on the occasion of the 60th jubilee of Queen Victoria erected )
• Ann Bryant Art Gallery (1905 built )
• Memorial to the German settlers
• Gately House ( home of the first mayor )
• East London Aquarium
• Botanic Gardens and Zoo (Queen 's Park Botanical Garden & Zoo )
• East London Coast State Forest
• Beach equipment

Personalities

In East London the following people were born:

• Marjorie Courtenay - Latimer (1907-2004), director of the museum and discoverer of a " living fossil "
• Davashe Mackay (1920-1972), jazz musician
• Joan Harrison ( born 1935 ), swimmer
• Johnny Dyani (1945-1986), jazz musician
• Gwen Lister ( born 1953 ), Namibian journalist and publisher
• Tete Mbambisa ( born 1942 ), jazz musician
• Jody Scheckter ( born 1950 ), race car driver
• Mark Boucher (born 1976 ), cricketer