Eastern Cape
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What is the Eastern Cape?
The Eastern Cape is a province in south-central South Africa. It is mostly mountainous, including the southern part of the Drakensberg, which rises to over 9,000 feet (2,700 m). Grassveld is the natural vegetation, with some forest on the coast. The climate along the coast is subtropical, with hot summers; snow falls on the high northern mountains in winter.
More than three-fourths of the population is Black African, and they predominantly speak Xhosa. The provincial capital is Bhisho. Gqeberha and East London are manufacturing centers.
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Where is the Eastern Cape located in South Africa?
The Eastern Cape is a province in south-central South Africa. It is bordered by the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, as well as Lesotho, and the Indian Ocean.
The province is predominantly mountainous, including a portion of the Drakensberg range. The climate along the coast is subtropical, with hot summers and occasional winter snow in the northern mountains.
More than three-fourths of the population in Eastern Cape are Black African, and they are predominantly speakers of Xhosa.
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What are some major cities in the Eastern Cape?
The Eastern Cape province in South Africa has a population of 7,230,204. Bhisho is the province's capital. Other major cities include:
- Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) is a port city with a deepwater harbor. It is a manufacturing center, known particularly for its automotive industry.
- East London is a manufacturing center and a seaport.
- Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) has universities.
Other significant towns connected by road and rail are Komani (formerly Queenstown), Mthatha, Graaff-Reinet, and Middelburg.
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What is the climate like in the Eastern Cape?
The Eastern Cape province has a varied climate. The coastal climate is subtropical, with mild conditions at higher elevations to the north. Summers are hot, and the high northern mountains get snow in winter. The average annual precipitation varies from 14 inches (350 mm) near Graaff-Reinet in the west to more than 35 inches (900 mm) along the coast near East London in the east.
South Africa is generally semiarid, with variable precipitation that often leads to water shortages for farmers. More than one-fifth of the country is arid, receiving less than 8 inches (200 mm) of precipitation annually, while almost half is semiarid, receiving between 8 and 24 inches (200 and 600 mm) annually.
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Which cultures and languages are common in the Eastern Cape?
The Eastern Cape province in South Africa is culturally diverse. More than three-fourths of the population are Black Africans, predominantly Xhosa speakers, an Nguni language. About one-tenth of the population speaks Afrikaans. Several other languages, including English, are also spoken in the province.
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What are important industries and attractions in the Eastern Cape?
Eastern Cape province in South Africa has a diverse economy. The province is known for raising merino sheep, angora goats, and dairy cattle. Farmers cultivate wheat, corn, and sorghum inland with irrigation, while oranges, pineapples, tobacco, and potatoes grow along the coast.
Gqeberha and East London serve as manufacturing centers, producing motors and canned goods. Tourist attractions include seaside resorts, Mountain Zebra National Park near Enxuba, and Addo Elephant National Park. Garden Route National Park spans both the Eastern and Western Cape.
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Eastern Cape, province, south-central South Africa. It is bordered by Western Cape province to the west, Northern Cape province to the northwest, Free State province and Lesotho to the north, KwaZulu-Natal province to the northeast, and the Indian Ocean to the southeast and south. The eastern portion of the former Griqualand East (surrounding Umzimkulu) is now an exclave of Eastern Cape located in southern KwaZulu-Natal. Eastern Cape was part of the former Cape of Good Hope province until 1994. Bhisho is the provincial capital.
Eastern Cape is predominantly mountainous country. It includes the southern spur of the Drakensberg, rising to more than 9,000 feet (2,700 m) in the northeast, and descends southward from the great interior plateau (Highveld) of southern Africa to form a relatively narrow coastal plain along the Indian Ocean. Southwest of the Highveld and the Great Fish River, the topography is characterized by east-west-trending mountain ranges and valleys. East of the Great Fish River, including the lower valley of the Great Kei River, perennial streams have carved deep valleys on their way to the ocean. The province’s natural vegetation is largely grassveld, with some forest on the coast west of Humansdorp. Mountain Zebra National Park is located west of Enxuba (formerly Cradock), and Addo Elephant National Park is located north of Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth).
The climate along the coast is subtropical; it is mild at higher elevations to the north. Summers are hot, and snow falls in winter on the high northern mountains. The average annual precipitation increases from 14 inches (350 mm) near Graaff-Reinet in the west to more than 35 inches (900 mm) along the coast near East London in the east.
More than three-fourths of Eastern Cape’s population are Black African, and they are predominantly speakers of Xhosa, an Nguni language. Persons of mixed race constitute about one-twelfth of the total population, and white South Africans constitute an even smaller proportion. Afrikaans is spoken by about one-tenth of the population. Several other languages, including English, are also spoken.
Merino sheep, Angora goats, and dairy cattle are raised throughout Eastern Cape. Wheat, corn (maize), and sorghum are grown inland with irrigation, while oranges, pineapples, tobacco, and potatoes are cultivated along the coast. Gqeberha and East London are manufacturing centers where the production of motors and the canning of fruit and vegetables are important. There are seaside resorts along the Indian Ocean. Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown), Fort Hare near Dikeni (formerly Alice), and Gqeberha have universities. The seaports of East London and Gqeberha are connected by road and rail with Komani (formerly Queenstown) and Mthatha to the northeast and Graaff-Reinet and Middelburg to the northwest. Area 65,238 square miles (168,966 square km). Pop. (2011) 6,562,053; (2022) 7,230,204.