| Cape Town is one of the biggest cities in South Africa | | | | ...has not seen a lion for over 200 years. After once |
| and is located on the west coast of the country. Over | | | | thriving in the area, and no doubt giving their name to |
| the last few years the area has become a popular | | | | the smallest peak at the western tip of the mountain, |
| destination for tourists and visitors due to its sights and | | | | the last lion was shot in 1802. Leopards followed in the |
| attractions, and its recently-developed infrastructure - | | | | 1820s, but the area is still home to some incredible |
| today there are cheap flights to Cape Town available | | | | nocturnal cats. These include the small Lynx-type |
| from around the world. What follows are five | | | | Caracal, and the far rarer African Wild Cat. |
| lesser-known facts about the city. | | | | 4. African Penguins... |
| 1. The first recorded European to visit was a | | | | ...are more common. Following the fauna theme, |
| Dutchman... | | | | surprisingly South Africa is home to many colonies of |
| ...and his name was Jan van Riebeeck. Although there | | | | penguins. Nearby Boulders Beach is home to its own |
| is evidence for the area being inhabited as far back as | | | | colony that established itself in 1982. They are quite |
| 12,000 years ago, the one-time surgeon assistant van | | | | small, at only 68 - 70 centimetres tall, but have endured |
| Riebeeck was sent to establish a way-station for | | | | a significant comeback in recent years. However in |
| ships. He was the Commander of the Cape for ten | | | | comparison to the numbers of African penguins in at |
| years between 1652 and 1662, during which he helped | | | | the beginning of the 20th Century, only about 10 |
| build a fort, and planted an almond hedge which still | | | | percent remained by 2000. |
| grows to this day. | | | | 5. Scarborough... |
| 2. Nelson Mandela... | | | | ...is considered a tourist destination. Of course, |
| ...spent 27 years imprisoned at nearby Robben Island. | | | | Scarborough, Cape Town differs to the one we know |
| Hours after being released he gave a speech from | | | | and love in the UK as it is surrounded by conserved |
| the balcony of the Civil Hall that would herald in a new | | | | natural landscape. Interestingly, Cape Town is also |
| era for the country. He was elected president in 1994, | | | | famous for the sheer number of unique beaches it |
| and it was over the following 10 years that the | | | | has. It is quite easy to travel to a good variety in a |
| country's economy saw an unprecedented surge due | | | | single day, depending on whether you want small and |
| to new boom in tourism and housing. | | | | secluded, or miles and miles of golden sands. |
| 3. Table Mountain's peak, Lion's Head... | | | | |