Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Fine wine
CAPE TOWN, CAPE COLONY (SOUTH AFRICA), 1833
Cape Town has a dramatic setting on the south-western coast of Africa. The city's historic
centre sits between the waters of Table Bay and an impressive semi-circle of mountains,
only the lowest of which, the Lion's Rump (now better known as Signal Hill) is shown here.
By the early 19th century, the city's economic importance as a port and a convenient stop-
ping point on long-distance voyages had made it by far the dominant European settlement in
southern Africa. This map also records a strong military presence, particularly in the yellow-
tinted area. Subsequent land reclamation has altered the shape of the coastline considerably,
but the grid pattern of streets in the city centre remains largely intact. The many buildings
