Eastern Cape
Here you will find a overview of Eastern Cape and links to History, Geography, Cities, Fauna and Flora
Capital | Bhisho | |
Principal languages | isiXhosa | 78,8% |
Afrikaans | 10,5% | |
English | 5,6% | |
Population | 6 620 100 | |
Share of total population | 12,5% | |
Area (km2) | 168 966 | |
Percentage of total area | 13,8% |
Info
The Eastern Cape is a region of great natural beauty, particularly the rugged cliffs, rough seas and dense green bush of the stretch known as the Wild Coast.
The Eastern Cape, at 168 966 km2, is roughly the size of Uruguay. It is the country’s second-largest province after the Northern Cape, taking up 13,8% of South Africa’s land area.
The province has a population of more than 6,6 million people, the majority of whom speak isiXhosa, followed by Afrikaans and English.
It is a region of great natural beauty, particularly the rugged cliffs, rough seas and dense green bush of the stretch known as the Wild Coast. The region boasts remarkable natural diversity, ranging from the dry, desolate Great Karoo to the lush forests of the Wild Coast and the Keiskamma Valley; the fertile Langkloof, renowned for its rich apple harvests; and the mountainous southern Drakensberg region at Elliot.
Various floral habitats meet in the province. Along the coast, the northern tropical forests intermingle with the more temperate woods of the south.
The province is home to a number of Higher Education institutions, including the:
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
University of Fort Hare
Walter Sisulu University of Technology.
It has airports in Port Elizabeth, East London, Mthatha and Bhisho, and boasts two major harbours in East London and Port Elizabeth respectively.