PORT ELIZABETH
The Nelson Mandela Metropole Municipality
Port Elizabeth is situated on the warm Indian Ocean coastline of South Africa. It was originally discovered by the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama in the early 14th Century. It was however only fully founded and settled with the arrival of the British Settlers in 1820 and in fact the city is named after Sir Rufane Donkin’s deceased wife, Elizabeth. Port Elizabeth is a commercial/industrial and vacation city as both play a major role in its financial well being. The city is also an important centre for the South African motor industry and is home to many of the major car manufacturers, subsidiary company headquarters in addition to hosting Africa’s only deep water harbour, COEGA. The city is currently experiencing a growth spurt due in part to the major economic investment in the COEGA project. It is the second largest city in terms of area and the fifth largest in terms of population in South Africa. Port Elizabeth stretches out along the coastline and enjoys many of nature’s wonders, from frolicking dolphins to whales at play in our bay. The clean beaches are some of the best in the country and many are isolated and therefore un spoilt, with an incredible variety of coastline features, from sandy beaches to rocky outcrops (where many a schooner has met its fate). The combination of clean beaches, warm, calm waters and fair breezes provides ideal conditions for sailing, fishing, surfing, windsurfing, snorkeling and swimming. Scuba diving enthusiasts can choose from a number of great spots with lots to see, such as shipwrecks, coral reefs and beautifully coloured fish in the warm water with up to 30 metres visibility. The city is a diverse culture and is known in South Africa as the FRIENDLY CITY, a tradition we Port Elizabethans are proud to uphold. Tourists will be happy to hear that even at the seaside you can enjoy the awe inspiring wildlife of Africa, as there are a number of wildlife reserves in the nearby surrounds of PE. A mere 73kms from the city centre is the exclusive, internationally renowned Shamwari Game Reserve which is home to Africa’s “Big Five” where early morning and evening game drives are available. In addition, there is the Addo Elephant Park, dedicated to the preservation of the Eastern Cape elephant and the Cape buffalo. There are number of other, smaller game reserves which are just as delightful and will provide a memorable African experience. A great advantage is the fact that the area is Malaria free. For the tourist wanting a total South African experience, Port Elizabeth is the perfect complement to the Garden Route, Settler Hinterland, Sunshine Coast and Cape. Located on the South Eastern coast of Africa, this major sea port and tourist destination is set along the beautiful shores of Algoa Bay and is fondly referred to as the Friendly Eco-City. Temperatures are moderate all year round with scattered rainfall throughout the year. The summers are warm with a very temperate humidity level, whilst winters are mild and pleasant. It is significant to note that the climate is major contributing factor to the reputation Port Elizabeth holds as offering an outstanding quality of life. The secret is out … PE offers a good lifestyle and is a great place to raise a family. For the tourist, Port Elizabeth offers many historical attractions, one of the most interesting being the Historic Donkin Heritage Trail, which allows the visitor to follow in the footsteps of the 1820 Settlers on their journey of discovery and settlement. This 5km trail visits 47 historical sites and architectural delights in the Old Hill area of central PE. Within the city there are some beautiful parks with well landscaped gardens, two of the larger ones are St Georges Park which covers 73 hectares and is home to the world famous Port Elizabeth Cricket Club, the oldest Bowling Green in South Africa, Prince Alfred’s Guard Memorial and the 1882 Victorian Pearson Conservatory. The other park is the 54 hectare Settlers Park in the city centre, which is a nature lover’s paradise with all the beautiful flora and fauna on offer. For more information on Port Elizabeth and its surrounding towns, please access the East Cape Tourism link; for information relating to the deep water harbour, access the COEGA link.
