Editing Cape Town

{{Short description|Legislative capital of South Africa}}
{{about|the city itself|the municipality|City of Cape Town|other uses|}}
{{Use South African English|date=May 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Cape Town
| native_name = {{small|{{Plainlist|
* {{native name |af|Kaapstad}}
* {{native name |xh|iKapa}}
* {{native name|naq|ǁHui!gaeb}}
}}}}
| official_name =
| settlement_type = [[Capital city]] ([[Legislature|legislative branch]])
| image_skyline = {{multiple image
 | total_width = 300
 | border = infobox
 | perrow = 1/2/2/2/1
 | caption_align = center
 | image1 = Cape Town City DSC 3621 (cropped).jpg
 | alt1 = City Bowl
 | caption1 = [[City Bowl|Central Business District]]
 | image2 = Bo-Kaap from roof of Strand South hotel, Cape Town.jpg
 | alt2 = Bo-Kaap
 | caption2 = [[Bo-Kaap]]
 | image3 = Cape Town, Waterfront - panoramio.jpg
 | alt3 = Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
 | caption3 = [[V&A Waterfront]]
 | image4 = Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town 01.jpg
 | alt4 = Castle of Good Hope
 | caption4 = [[Castle of Good Hope]]
 | image5 = Parliament in company gardens (cropped).jpg
 | alt5 = Houses of Parliament
 | caption5 = [[Houses of Parliament, Cape Town|Houses of Parliament]]
 | image6 = Cape Town Mountain.jpg
 | alt6 = Table Mountain from Signal Hill
 | caption6 = [[Devil's Peak (Cape Town)|Devil's Peak]] and [[Table Mountain]] from [[Signal Hill (Cape Town)|Signal Hill]]
 }}
| image_flag = <!--Flag of Cape Town, South Africa.svg-->
| image_shield = Coat of arms of Cape Town, South Africa.png
| blank_emblem_type = Logo
| blank_emblem_size = 100px
| blank_emblem_alt =
| image_blank_emblem = Logo of Cape Town, South Africa.svg
| blank_emblem_link =
| nicknames = Mother City, Tavern of the Seas (archaic)
| motto = {{lang|la|Spes Bona}} ([[Latin]] for "Good Hope")
| pushpin_map = South Africa Western Cape#South Africa#Africa
| coordinates = {{coord|33|55|31|S|18|25|26|E|region:ZA-WC_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = [[Country]]
| subdivision_name = {{flag|South Africa}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of South Africa|Province]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Western Cape}}
| subdivision_type2 = District
| subdivision_type3 = [[Municipalities of South Africa|Municipality]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[City of Cape Town]]
| subdivision_type4 = Main Place
| established_title = Founded
| established_date = {{start date and age|1652|4|6|df=y}}
| established_title1 = Municipal government
| established_date1 = {{start date and age|1839|df=y}}
| government_footnotes = <ref name="news24.com">{{Cite news |date=26 April 2018 |title=City of Cape Town announces new city manager |url=https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/city-of-cape-town-announces-new-city-manager-20180426 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815085442/https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/city-of-cape-town-announces-new-city-manager-20180426 |archive-date=15 August 2019 |access-date=5 February 2019 |publisher=News24}}</ref>
| government_type = [[Metropolitan municipality (South Africa)|Metropolitan municipality]]
| leader_title1 = [[Mayor of Cape Town|Mayor]]
| leader_name1 = [[Geordin Hill-Lewis]] ([[Democratic Alliance (South Africa)|DA]])
| leader_title2 = Deputy Mayor
| leader_name2 = [[Eddie Andrews]] ([[Democratic Alliance (South Africa)|DA]])
| area_footnotes = <ref name="census-muni">{{Cite web |title=Community survey 2016 – City of Cape Town |url=https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Maps%20and%20statistics/2016%20Community%20Survey%20Cape%20Town%20Trends.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425123037/http://cs2016.statssa.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WesternCape.pdf |archive-date=25 April 2021 |access-date=16 September 2020 |website=Survey 2016 |publisher=Statistics South Africa}}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 2461<!-- urban: 400.28-->
| elevation_max_m = 1590.4
| elevation_min_m = 0
| population_demonym = Capetonian
| demographics_type1 = Racial makeup (2022)<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://census.statssa.gov.za/#/province/1/2 |title=Census 2022: Provincial profile: Western Cape |date=2018 |publisher=Statistics South Africa |page=7}}</ref>
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="census-muni" />
| demographics1_title1 = [[Bantu peoples of South Africa|Black]]
| demographics1_info1 = 45.7%
| demographics1_title2 = [[Coloureds|Coloured]]
| demographics1_info2 = 35.1%
| demographics1_title3 = [[White South Africans|White]]
| demographics1_info3 = 16.2%
| demographics1_title4 = [[Indian South Africans|Indian]]/[[Asian (South Africa)|Asian]]
| demographics1_info4 = 1.6%
| demographics1_title5 = Other
| demographics1_info5 = 1.5%<ref name="City of Cape Town Census 2022 Infographic" />
| demographics_type2 = [[First language]]s (2011)
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |title=StatsSA |url=http://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=993&id=city-of-cape-town-municipality |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812030117/http://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=993&id=city-of-cape-town-municipality |archive-date=12 August 2016}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1 = [[Afrikaans]]
| demographics2_info1 = 34.9%
| demographics2_title2 = [[Xhosa language|Xhosa]]
| demographics2_info2 = 29.2%
| demographics2_title3 = [[South African English|English]]
| demographics2_info3 = 27.8%{{efn|It is estimated that at least 90% of Capetonians can speak English, even though less than 30% speak it as their native language.<ref>https://www.expatinfodesk.com/destinations/cape-town/language/</ref>}}
| demographics2_title4 =
| demographics2_info4 =
| demographics2_title5 =
| demographics2_info5 =
| blank_name_sec1 = [[Human Development Index|HDI]]
| blank_info_sec1 = 0.82<ref>{{Cite web |title=HDIs FOR CAPE TOWN AREAS |url=https://www.westerncape.gov.za/Text/2005/6/hdi_cape_metro_dev_report.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922141613/https://www.westerncape.gov.za/Text/2005/6/hdi_cape_metro_dev_report.pdf |archive-date=22 September 2024 |access-date=15 September 2024 |website=Western Cape Government}}</ref> – {{colour|darkgreen|very high}}
| blank_name_sec2 = [[Gross metropolitan product|GMP]] (2020)
| blank_info_sec2 = [[American dollar|US$]]121{{spaces}}billion<ref name="The 150 Richest cities in the world">{{Cite web |title=Richest cities in the world in 2020 by GDP |url=http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/richest-cities-2020.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604174033/http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/richest-cities-2020.html |archive-date=4 June 2020 |access-date=19 February 2023 |publisher=City Mayors}}</ref>
| blank1_name_sec2 = GMP per capita (2011)
| blank1_info_sec2 = US$19,656<ref name="brookingsgdp">{{Cite web |title=Global city GDP 2011 |url=http://www.brookings.edu/research/interactives/global-metro-monitor-3 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605135349/http://www.brookings.edu/research/interactives/global-metro-monitor-3 |archive-date=5 June 2013 |access-date=18 November 2014 |publisher=Brookings Institution}}</ref>
| timezone1 = [[South Africa Standard Time|SAST]]
| utc_offset1 = +2
| postal_code_type = [[List of postal codes in South Africa|Postal codes]] (street)
| postal_code = 7400–8099
| postal2_code_type = [[Post-office box|PO box]]
| postal2_code = 7000
| area_code_type = [[Telephone numbers in South Africa|Area code]]
| website = {{URL|www.capetown.gov.za|capetown.gov.za}}
| population_urban = 433,688
| population_metro = 4,772,846<ref name="City of Cape Town Census 2022 Infographic">{{Cite web |title=City of Cape Town Census 2022 Infographic |url=https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Census_2022_Infographic.pdf |access-date=22 November 2024 |publisher=The City of Cape Town}}</ref>
| population_density_metro_km2 = 1,952<ref name="City of Cape Town Census 2022 Infographic" />
| population_density_urban_km2 = 1,083
| population_metro_footnotes = {{nbsp}}(2022)
| population_urban_footnotes = {{nbsp}}(2011)
| population_footnotes = <ref name="census2011-place199041">{{Cite web |title=Cape Town, Main Place 199041 from Census 2011 |url=http://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/199041 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140731081139/http://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/199041 |archive-date=31 July 2014 |access-date=24 February 2024 |website=Census 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite report |url=http://cs2016.statssa.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WesternCape.pdf#page17 |title=Community Survey 2016: Provincial profile: Western Cape |date=2018 |publisher=Statistics South Africa |page=7}}</ref>
| population_rank = [[List of cities in Africa by population|13th]] in Africa<br />[[List of populated places in South Africa|2nd]] in South Africa
}}

'''Cape Town'''{{Efn|{{langx|af|Kaapstad}} {{IPA|af|ˈkɑːpstat|}}; {{langx|xh|iKapa}} {{IPA|xh|íkáːpa|}}; {{langx|naq|ǁHui!gaeb||the place where the clouds meet}}; also known as "the Mother City".<ref>{{Cite web |last=withbeyond.com |title=The Mother City Cape Town |url=https://www.skylife.com/en/2011-12/the-mother-city-cape-town |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126004333/https://www.skylife.com/en/2011-12/the-mother-city-cape-town |archive-date=26 November 2020 |access-date=12 October 2020 |website=Skylife}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=4 June 2015 |title=10 SA city nicknames, and why they're called that |url=https://www.news24.com/News24/10-SA-city-nicknames-and-why-theyre-called-that-20150622 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724201722/https://www.news24.com/News24/10-SA-city-nicknames-and-why-theyre-called-that-20150622 |archive-date=24 July 2022 |access-date=24 July 2022 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref>}} is the [[legislature|legislative]] [[capital city|capital]] of [[South Africa]]. It is the country's oldest city and the seat of the [[Parliament of South Africa]].<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Western Cape {{!}} province, South Africa |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Western-Cape |access-date=22 June 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170508023252/https://www.britannica.com/place/Western-Cape |archive-date=8 May 2017}}</ref> Cape Town is the country's second-largest city, after [[Johannesburg]], and the largest in the [[Western Cape]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Discover the 9 Provinces of South Africa and their Capital Cities |url=http://www.south-africa-tours-and-travel.com/provinces-of-south-africa.html#The%20Western%20Cape%20province |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614023702/http://www.south-africa-tours-and-travel.com/provinces-of-south-africa.html#The%20Western%20Cape%20province |archive-date=14 June 2017 |access-date=22 June 2017}}</ref> The city is part of the [[City of Cape Town]] [[metropolitan municipality (South Africa)|metropolitan municipality]].

The city is known for [[Port of Cape Town|its harbour]], its natural setting in the [[Cape Floristic Region]], and for landmarks such as [[Table Mountain]] and [[Cape Point]]. In 2014, Cape Town was named the best place in the world to visit by ''[[The New York Times]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=14 Fun Facts You Didn't Know About Cape Town – Interesting & Amusing Things about the Mother City |url=http://www.capetownmagazine.com/cape-confidential/14-fun-facts-you-didnt-know-about-cape-town/123_22_19306 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626140114/http://www.capetownmagazine.com/cape-confidential/14-fun-facts-you-didnt-know-about-cape-town/123_22_19306 |archive-date=26 June 2014 |access-date=17 June 2014 |website=Cape Town Magazine}}</ref> and was similarly ranked number one by ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' in both 2016 and 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bruyn |first=Pippa de |date=5 February 2016 |title=The world's best cities |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/citybreaks/11271025/The-worlds-best-cities.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105144658/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/citybreaks/11271025/The-worlds-best-cities.html |archive-date=5 January 2016 |access-date=4 April 2018 |work=Telegraph.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Leadbeater |first=Chris |date=12 July 2023 |title=The 10 best cities on Earth (according to you) |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/telegraph-travel-awards-2023-best-cities/ |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=The Telegraph}}</ref>

Located on the shore of [[Table Bay]], the [[City Bowl]] area of Cape Town is [[History of Cape Town|the oldest urban area in the Western Cape]], with a significant cultural heritage. It was founded by the [[Dutch East India Company]] (VOC) as a supply station for Dutch ships sailing to [[East Africa]], [[India]], and the [[Far East]]. [[Jan van Riebeeck]]'s arrival on 6 April 1652 established the [[Dutch Cape Colony|VOC Cape Colony]], the first permanent European settlement in South Africa.

Cape Town outgrew its original purpose as the first European outpost at the [[Castle of Good Hope]], becoming the economic and cultural hub of the [[Cape Colony]]. Until the [[Witwatersrand Gold Rush]] and the development of Johannesburg, Cape Town was the largest city in southern Africa.

The metropolitan area has a long coastline on the [[Atlantic Ocean]], which includes False Bay, and extends to the [[Hottentots Holland Mountains]] to the east. The [[Table Mountain National Park]] is within the city boundaries and there are several other nature reserves and marine-protected areas within, and adjacent to, the city, protecting the diverse terrestrial and marine natural environment.

== History ==
{{Main|History of Cape Town|Timeline of Cape Town}}
{{external media
| float = right
| video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1stIhiV5L0 "Khoisan group renames the cape"]— 2012 news report by [[Eyewitness News (South Africa)|Eyewitness News]] on the official Khoekhoe naming of Cape Town as "ǁHuiǃgaeb" and how it is pronounced
}}

=== Early period ===
[[File:F. Benda-The planting of cross by Bartholomew Dias in 1488-0681 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Portuguese explorer [[Bartolomeu Dias]] planting the cross at [[Cape Point]], 1488.]]
The earliest known remnants of human occupation in the region were found at Peers Cave in [[Fish Hoek]] and have been dated to between 15,000 and 12,000 years old.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Antiquity of man |url=http://www.antiquityofman.com/Peers_Cave.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301174424/http://www.antiquityofman.com/Peers_Cave.html |archive-date=1 March 2009 |access-date=15 June 2009 |publisher=SouthAfrica.info}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=December 2024}}

[[Bartolomeu Dias]], the first European to reach the area, arrived in 1488 and named it "Cape of Storms" ({{Lang|pt|Cabo das Tormentas}}). It was later renamed by [[John II of Portugal]] as "[[Cape of Good Hope]]" ({{Lang|pt|Cabo da Boa Esperança}}) because of the great optimism engendered by the opening of a sea route to the [[Indian subcontinent]] and [[East Indies]].

In 1497, Portuguese explorer [[Vasco da Gama]] recorded a sighting of the Cape of Good Hope.

In 1510, at the [[Battle of Salt River]], the Portuguese admiral [[Francisco de Almeida]] and sixty-four of his men were killed and his party was defeated<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Cambridge history of South Africa: 1885–1994 |date=2011 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=9780521517942 |editor-last=Hamilton, Carolyn |volume=1 |pages=168–173 |chapter=Khoesan and Immigrants |oclc=778617810 |editor-last2=Mbenga, Bernard |editor-last3=Ross, Robert}}</ref> by the "Goringhaiqua" in Dutch approximate spelling) using cattle that were specially trained to respond to whistles and shouts.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Steenkamp |first=Willem |title=Assegais, drums and dragoons: a military and social history of the Cape, 1510–1806 |date=2012 |publisher=Jonathan Ball Publishers |isbn=9781868424795 |location=Johannesburg}}</ref> The Gorinaiqua were one of the [[Khoikhoi]] clans who inhabited the area.

In the late 16th century French, Danish, Dutch, and English, but mainly Portuguese, ships regularly continued to stop over in Table Bay en route to the Indies. They traded tobacco, copper, and iron with the [[Khoikhoi language|Khoikhoi]] clans of the region in exchange for fresh meat and other essential traveling provisions.

=== Dutch period ===
{{multiple image
| header = Dutch period
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| width = 220
| image1 = Charles Bell - Jan van Riebeeck se aankoms aan die Kaap.jpg
| caption1 = [[Jan van Riebeeck]] and Dutch colonists arriving in [[Table Bay]] in 1652.
| image2 = Cape Town in 1800.jpg
| caption2 = A diorama of Cape Town as it would have appeared in 1800 at the end of Dutch rule by the VOC.
}}

{{See also|Dutch Cape Colony}}
In 1652, [[Jan van Riebeeck]] and other employees of the [[Dutch East India Company|United East India Company]] ({{langx|nl|Verenigde Oost-indische Compagnie}}, VOC) were sent to the Cape Colony to establish a way-station for ships travelling to the [[Dutch East Indies]], and the [[Fort de Goede Hoop]] (later replaced by the [[Castle of Good Hope]]). The settlement grew slowly during this period, as it was hard to find adequate labour. This labour shortage prompted the local authorities to import enslaved people from [[Indonesia]] and [[Madagascar]]. Many of these people are ancestors of modern-day [[Cape Coloureds|Cape Coloured]] and [[Cape Malays|Cape Malay]] communities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 May 2009 |title=Cape-Slavery-Heritage " Coloured People of the Western Cape have the most Diverse Ancestry in the World :: iBlog |url=http://cape-slavery-heritage.iblog.co.za/2009/05/01/coloured-people-of-the-western-cape-have-the-most-diverse-ancestry-in-the-world/ |access-date=17 March 2011 |publisher=Cape-slavery-heritage.iblog.co.za}} {{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 September 1927 |title=Slavery and early colonisation, South African History Online |url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/governence-projects/slavery/slavery.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110109130722/http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/governence-projects/slavery/slavery.htm |archive-date=9 January 2011 |access-date=17 March 2011 |publisher=Sahistory.org.za}}</ref>

Under Van Riebeeck and his successors, as VOC commanders and later governors at the Cape, a wide range of agricultural plants were introduced to the Cape. Some of these, including grapes, cereals, ground nuts, potatoes, apples and citrus, had a large and lasting influence on the societies and economies of the region.<ref>Pooley, S. 'Jan van Riebeeck as Pioneering Explorer and Conservator of Natural Resources at the Cape of Good Hope (1652–62),' Environment and History 15 (2009): 3–33. {{doi|10.3197/096734009X404644}}</ref>

=== British period ===
{{See also|Cape Colony}}[[File:Adderley Street, Cape Town, looking NE - ca. 1897.jpg|thumb|[[Adderley Street]] in 1897 was an important commercial hub in Cape Town at a time when the city was the most important centre of economic activity in the Southern Africa region.]]

With the [[Dutch Republic]] being transformed into [[First French Republic|Revolutionary France]]'s vassal [[Batavian Republic]], Great Britain moved to take control of Dutch colonies, including the colonial possessions of the VOC.

Britain [[Invasion of the Cape Colony|captured Cape Town in 1795]], but it was returned to the Dutch by treaty in 1803. British forces occupied the Cape again in 1806 following the [[Battle of Blaauwberg]] when the Batavian Republic allied with Britain's rival, France, during the [[Napoleonic Wars]]. Following the conclusion of the war Cape Town was permanently ceded to the United Kingdom in the [[Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1814]].

The city became the capital of the newly formed [[British Cape Colony|Cape Colony]], whose territory expanded very substantially through the 1800s, partially as a result of [[Xhosa Wars|numerous wars]] with the [[Xhosa people|amaXhosa]] on the colony's eastern frontier. In 1833 slavery was [[Slavery in South Africa#Abolition|abolished in the colony]] freeing over 5500 slaves in the city, almost a third of the city's population at the time.<ref name="Martin 1836 113">{{Cite book |last=Martin |first=Robert Montgomery |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ifk9AAAAcAAJ&pg=PA112 |title=The British Colonial Library: In 12 volumes |date=1836 |publisher=Mortimer |pages=113 |language=en}}</ref> The [[Convict Crisis]] of 1849, marked by substantial civil upheaval, bolstered the push for self-governance in the Cape.<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal |last=Anderson |first=Clare |date=3 May 2016 |title=Convicts, Carcerality and Cape Colony Connections in the 19th Century |journal=Journal of Southern African Studies |language=en |volume=42 |issue=3 |pages=429–442 |doi=10.1080/03057070.2016.1175128 |issn=0305-7070 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name=":8">RFM Immelman: ''Men of Good Hope, 1804-1954''. CTCC: Cape Town, 1955. Chapter 6 ''The Anti-convict Agitation''. p.154.</ref>

With expansion came calls for greater independence from the UK, with the Cape attaining [[Parliament of the Cape of Good Hope|its own parliament]] (1854) and a [[Responsible government#Cape Colony|locally accountable]] Prime Minister (1872). Suffrage was established according to the non-racial [[Cape Qualified Franchise]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bell |first=Charles |title=A painting of the arrival of Jan van Riebeeck in Table Bay |url=http://www.rosebuds.co.za/Toere/Cape%20Town.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230184319/http://www.rosebuds.co.za/Toere/Cape%20Town.htm |archive-date=30 December 2011 |access-date=11 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=McCracken |first=J.L. |url=https://archive.org/details/capeparliament180000mccr |title=The Cape Parliament, 1854–1910 |publisher=Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1967 |year=1967 |url-access=registration}}</ref>

During the 1850s and 1860s, additional plant species were introduced from Australia by the British authorities. Notably [[Acacia cyclops|rooikrans]] was introduced to stabilise the sand of the [[Cape Flats]] to allow for a road connecting the peninsula with the rest of the African continent<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Carruthers |first=Jane |last2=Robin |first2=Libby |date=23 March 2010 |title=Taxonomic imperialism in the battles for Acacia:Identity and science in South Africa and Australia |journal=Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa |volume=65 |issue=1 |pages=60 |bibcode=2010TRSSA..65...48C |doi=10.1080/00359191003652066 |s2cid=83630585 |doi-access=free}}</ref> and [[eucalyptus]] was used to drain marshes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Contested Past and Present: Australian Trees in South Africa |url=https://www.ssrc.org/pages/A-Contested-Past-and-Present-Australian-Trees-in-South-Africa/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727072156/https://www.ssrc.org/pages/A-Contested-Past-and-Present-Australian-Trees-in-South-Africa/ |archive-date=27 July 2020 |access-date=12 February 2020 |website=Social Science Research Council}}</ref>

In 1859 the first railway line was built by the [[Cape Government Railways]] and a system of railways rapidly expanded in the 1870s. The discovery of diamonds in [[Griqualand West]] in 1867, and the [[Witwatersrand Gold Rush]] in 1886, prompted a flood of immigration into South Africa.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mbenga |first=Bernard |title=New History of South Africa |url=http://www.tafelberg.com/Books/2652 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422132145/http://www.tafelberg.com/Books/2652 |archive-date=22 April 2014 |access-date=18 January 2013 |publisher=Tafelberg, South Africa, 2007}}</ref> In 1895 the city's first public power station, the [[Graaff Electric Lighting Works]], was opened.

Conflicts between the [[Boer republics]] in the interior and the British colonial government resulted in the [[Second Boer War]] of 1899–1902. Britain's victory in this war led to the formation of a united South Africa. From 1891 to 1901, the city's population more than doubled from 67,000 to 171,000.<ref name="C1875">{{Cite book |last=Worden, Nigel |title=Cape Town: The Making of a City |last2=van Hyningen, Elizabeth |last3=Bickford-Smith, Vivian |publisher=David Philip Publishers |year=1998 |isbn=0-86486-435-3 |location=Claremont, Cape Town, South Africa |pages=212}}</ref>

As the 19th century came to an end, the economic and political dominance of Cape Town in the Southern Africa region during the 19th century started to give way to the dominance of Johannesburg and Pretoria in the 20th century.<ref name="AMad">{{Cite book |last=Mabin, Alan |title=The Angry Divide-The underdevelopment of the Western Cape, 1850–1900 |publisher=David Philip |year=1989 |isbn=0-86486-116-8 |location=Cape Town |pages=82–94}}</ref>

=== South African period ===
[[File:Cape Town foreshore 1946.jpg|thumb|An aerial photograph of the newly completed [[Foreshore, Cape Town|Cape Town foreshore]] in 1945. Visible in this photograph as the large area of empty land between the City Centre and the newly constructed harbour out of reclaimed land from [[Table Bay]].<ref name="sahris_sahra_org_za">{{Cite web |last=Halkett |first=D.J. |date=October 2012 |title=Archaeological Assessment of the Proposed Cape Town International Convention Centre 2 on Erwen 192, 245, 246 and the Remainder of Erf 192, "Salazar Square", Roggebaai, Cape Town Foreshore |url=https://sahris.sahra.org.za/sites/default/files/heritagereports/CTICC%20AIA%2025_10_2012.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529140706/https://sahris.sahra.org.za/sites/default/files/heritagereports/CTICC%20AIA%2025_10_2012.pdf |archive-date=29 May 2021 |access-date=26 August 2019 |website=sahra.org.za |page=18}}</ref> |alt=]]
In 1910, Britain established the [[Union of South Africa]], which unified the Cape Colony with the two defeated Boer Republics and the British [[colony of Natal]]. Cape Town became the legislative capital of the Union, and later of the [[Republic of South Africa]].

By the time of the [[South African National Census of 1936|1936 census]], Johannesburg had overtaken Cape Town as the largest city in the country.

In 1945 the expansion of the [[Foreshore, Cape Town|Cape Town foreshore]] was completed adding an additional {{cvt|194|ha}} to the [[City Bowl]] area to the city centre.<ref name="sahris_sahra_org_za" />

==== Apartheid era ====
Prior to the mid-twentieth century, Cape Town was one of the most racially integrated cities in South Africa.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Bickford-Smith |first=Vivian |date=1995 |title=South African Urban History, Racial Segregation and the Unique Case of Cape Town? |journal=Journal of Southern African Studies |volume=21 |issue=1 |pages=63–78 |doi=10.1080/03057079508708433 |issn=0305-7070 |jstor=2637331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Adhikari |first=Mohamed |url=https://www.oapen.org/download?type=document&docid=628130#page=82 |title=Burdened by race: Coloured identities in southern Africa |publisher=UCT Press |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-92051-660-4 |location=Cape Town |pages=51 |access-date=26 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720174913/http://oapen.org/download?type=document&docid=628130#page=82 |archive-date=20 July 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[1948 South African general election|1948 national elections]], the [[National Party (South Africa)|National Party]] won on a platform of ''[[apartheid]]'' (racial segregation) under the slogan of "[[swart gevaar]]" (Afrikaans for "black danger"). This led to the erosion and eventual abolition of the [[Cape Qualified Franchise|Cape's multiracial franchise]].

In 1950, the apartheid government first introduced the [[Group Areas Act]], which classified and segregated urban areas according to race. Formerly multi-racial suburbs of Cape Town were either purged of residents deemed unlawful by apartheid legislation, or demolished. The most infamous example of this in Cape Town was the suburb of [[District Six, Cape Town|District Six]]. After it was declared a whites-only area in 1965, all housing there was demolished and over 60,000 residents were forcibly removed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 August 2003 |title=Recalling District Six |url=http://www.southafrica.info/ess_info/sa_glance/history/districtsix.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206234327/http://www.southafrica.info/ess_info/sa_glance/history/districtsix.htm |archive-date=6 February 2012 |access-date=13 June 2006 |publisher=SouthAfrica.info}}</ref> Many of these residents were relocated to the [[Cape Flats]].

The earliest of the Cape Flats forced removals saw the expulsion of Black South Africans to [[Langa, South Africa|Langa]], Cape Town's first and oldest township, in line with the 1923 [[Natives Urban Areas Act|Native Urban Areas Act]].

Under apartheid, the Cape was considered a "[[Coloured]] labour preference area", to the exclusion of "[[Bantu-speaking peoples of South Africa|Bantus]]", i.e. Black Africans. The implementation of this policy was widely opposed by trade unions, civil society and opposition parties. It is notable that this policy was not advocated for by any Coloured political group, and its implementation was a unilateral decision by the apartheid government.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sash |first=Black |date=3 November 1983 |title="The Coloured Labour Preference Area Policy"- Paper Presented by Cape Western Region to National Conference 1983 |url=https://digitalcollections.lib.uct.ac.za/coloured-labour-preference-area-policy-paper-presented-cape-western-region-national-conference-1983 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216183957/https://digitalcollections.lib.uct.ac.za/coloured-labour-preference-area-policy-paper-presented-cape-western-region-national-conference-1983 |archive-date=16 December 2019 |access-date=16 December 2019 |website=National texts, 1955–1994}}</ref>

During the student-led [[Soweto Uprising]] of June 1976, school students from [[Langa, South Africa|Langa]], [[Gugulethu]] and [[Nyanga, Western Cape|Nyanga]] in Cape Town reacted to the news of the protests against Bantu Education by organising gatherings and marches of their own. A number of school buildings were burnt down and the protest action was met with forceful resistance from the police.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cape Schools Join the Revolt – South African History Online |url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/article/cape-schools-join-revolt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714145633/http://www.sahistory.org.za/article/cape-schools-join-revolt |archive-date=14 July 2014 |access-date=16 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Western Cape Youth Uprising timeline 1976 – South African History Online |url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/topic/western-cape-youth-uprising-timeline-1976 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804024701/http://www.sahistory.org.za/topic/western-cape-youth-uprising-timeline-1976 |archive-date=4 August 2014 |access-date=16 June 2014}}</ref>

Cape Town has been home to many leaders of the [[Internal resistance to apartheid|anti-apartheid movement]]. In [[Table Bay]], {{cvt|10|km|0|abbr=off}} from the city is [[Robben Island]]. This [[Maximum Security Prison, Robben Island|penitentiary island]] was the site of a maximum security prison where many famous apartheird-era political prisoners served long prison sentences. Famous prisoners include activist, lawyer and future president [[Nelson Mandela]] who served 18 of his 27 years of imprisonment on the island, as well as two other future presidents, [[Kgalema Motlanthe]] and [[Jacob Zuma]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 June 2013 |title=FLOTUS Travel Journal: Robben Island, An Experience We Will Never Forget |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2013/06/30/flotus-travel-journal-robben-island-experience-we-will-never-forget |access-date=10 April 2024 |website=whitehouse.gov |language=en}}</ref>

In one of the most famous moments marking the end of apartheid, Nelson Mandela made his first public speech since his imprisonment, from the balcony of [[Cape Town City Hall]], hours after being released on 11 February 1990. His speech heralded the beginning of a new era for the country. The [[South African general election, 1994|first democratic election]], was held four years later, on 27 April 1994.<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Africa: Overcoming Apartheid |url=https://overcomingapartheid.msu.edu/multimedia.php?kid=163-582-10 |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=overcomingapartheid.msu.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The South African general elections: 1994 {{!}} South African History Online |url=https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/south-african-general-elections-1994 |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=www.sahistory.org.za}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Johnson |first=R.W. |title=Launching Democracy in South Africa: The First Open Election, April 1994 |publisher=Yale University Press |year=1996 |isbn=978-0300063912 |location=New Haven}}</ref>

[[Nobel Square]] in the [[Victoria & Alfred Waterfront]] features statues of South Africa's four [[Nobel Peace Prize]] winners: [[Albert Luthuli]], [[Desmond Tutu]], [[F. W. de Klerk]] and [[Nelson Mandela]].{{Relevance inline|discuss=Is this relevant to the history section?|date=September 2023}}

==== Post-apartheid era ====
Cape Town has undergone significant changes in the years since Apartheid. Cape Town has experienced economic growth and development in the post-apartheid era. The city has become a major economic hub in South Africa, attracting international investment and tourism. The [[Democratic Alliance (South Africa)|Democratic Alliance]] (DA), a [[Liberalism|liberal]] political party which came to power in Cape Town in 2006, has been credited with improving bureaucratic efficiency, public safety and fostering economic development.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Alexander |date=12 October 2023 |title=Cape Town Is Making South Africa's ANC Look Worse and Worse |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-10-12/cape-town-is-making-south-africa-s-anc-look-worse-and-worse |access-date=4 June 2024 |website=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]]}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Pilling |first=David |date=13 January 2024 |title=South African opposition seeks to build on Cape Town success |url=https://www.ft.com/content/7acd9224-c5b1-4024-bc21-b3cc22b522c5 |access-date=4 June 2024 |website=[[The Financial Times]]}}</ref>

Opinion polls show that South Africans see it as the best governed province and city in the country.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bavier |first=Joe |date=30 May 2024 |title=John Steenhuisen: The DA leader eyeing power in pivotal South Africa election |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-africas-steenhuisen-wages-mission-stop-doomsday-coalition-2024-05-27/ |access-date=4 June 2024 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=25 April 2024 |title=How race and politics interact in modern South Africa |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/04/25/how-race-and-politics-interact-in-modern-south-africa |access-date=4 June 2024 |work=[[The Economist]] |issn=0013-0613}}</ref> Of South Africa's 257 municipalities, only 38 received a clean financial audit in 2022 from the [[Auditor-General (South Africa)|Auditor-General]]. Of those, 21 were in the Western Cape.<ref name=":0" />

The city's economy has diversified, with growth in sectors such as finance, real estate, and tourism. The establishment of the City Centre Improvement District (CCID) has been particularly successful in revitalizing the city center, bringing businesses and people back into the area. This initiative has transformed public spaces such as [[Greenmarket Square]], [[Company's Garden]], and St George's Mall, attracting both locals and tourists.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lowton |first=Zubeida |date=15 May 2020 |title=A Tale of Two Cities: Socio-Spatial Transformations of Post-Apartheid South African Cities – Part 2, Cape Town |url=https://www.centreforsustainablecities.ac.uk/news/a-tale-of-two-cities-socio-spatial-transformations-of-post-apartheid-south-african-cities-part-2-capetown/ |access-date=4 June 2024 |website=Centre for Sustainable, Healthy and Learning Cities and Neighbourhoods |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2014, Cape Town was named [[World Design Capital]] of the Year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Post |first=Lucia van der |date=28 March 2014 |title=Cape Town: World Design Capital 2014 |url=https://www.ft.com/content/e8abc21c-b371-11e3-bc21-00144feabdc0 |access-date=4 June 2024 |work=[[The Financial Times]]}}</ref> Cape Town was voted the best tourist destination in Africa at the 2023 World Travel Awards in [[Dubai]] and continues to be the most important tourist destination in the country.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holmes |first=Richard |date=19 October 2023 |title=Cape Town was just voted the best destination in Africa |url=https://www.timeout.com/cape-town/news/cape-town-has-been-voted-the-best-african-destination-to-visit-101923 |access-date=4 June 2024 |website=Time Out Cape Town |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Magubane |first=Khulekani |date=4 February 2024 |title=Cape Town leads resurgent tourism sector |url=https://www.businesslive.co.za/bt/business-and-economy/2024-02-04-cape-town-leads-resurgent-tourism-sector/ |access-date=4 June 2024 |website=[[Business Day (South Africa)|BusinessLIVE]] |language=en-ZA}}</ref> Cape Town has been named the best travel city in the world every year since 2013 in the [[The Daily Telegraph|Telegraph]] Travel Awards.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leadbeater |first=Chris |date=12 July 2023 |title=The 10 best cities on Earth (according to you) |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/telegraph-travel-awards-2023-best-cities/ |access-date=4 June 2024 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Blanco |first=Evie |date=25 July 2023 |title=Cape Town has been awarded the best travel city in the world for 2023 |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/detour/article277646203.html |access-date=4 June 2024 |work=[[Miami Herald]]}}</ref>

The legacy of apartheid's spatial planning is still evident, with significant disparities between affluent areas and impoverished [[township]]s.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Orderson |first=Crystal |date=28 May 2024 |title=Cape Town's poor 'neglected' in South Africa's only opposition-run province |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/5/28/cape-towns-poor-neglected-in-south-africas-only-opposition-run-province |access-date=4 June 2024 |website=[[Al Jazeera]] |language=en}}</ref> 60% of the city's population live in townships and informal settlements far from the city centre.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Baker |first=Aryn |date=2 May 2019 |title=Inequality Is Widening Around the World. Here's What We Can Learn From the World's Most Unequal Country |url=https://time.com/longform/south-africa-unequal-country/ |access-date=4 June 2024 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |language=en}}</ref> The legacy of Apartheid means Cape Town remains one of the most racially segregated cities in South Africa.<ref>{{Citation |last=Solomon |first=Jean-Paul |title=A neo-apartheid city? Labour market inequalities and residential segregation in Cape Town, South Africa |date=13 September 2023 |url=https://advance.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.31124/advance.24124851.v2 |access-date=4 June 2024 |doi=10.31124/advance.24124851.v2}}</ref> Many Black South Africans continue to live in informal settlements with limited access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and sanitation.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Grill |first=Bartholomäus |last2=Schaap |first2=Fritz |date=8 September 2023 |title=Gangs, Corruption and Collapse: The Slow and Steady Demise of South Africa |url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/gangs-corruption-and-collapse-the-slow-and-steady-demise-of-south-africa-a-7ed1fcd1-a2e8-446a-9ff9-074718215281 |access-date=4 June 2024 |work=[[Der Spiegel]] |language=en |issn=2195-1349}}</ref> The unemployment rate remains high at 23% (though nearly 10 points lower than the nationwide average), particularly among historically disadvantaged groups, and economic opportunities are unevenly distributed.<ref name=":1" />

Cape Town faced a [[Cape Town water crisis|severe water shortage]] from 2015 to 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cassim |first=Zaheer |title=Cape Town could be the first major city in the world to run out of water |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/01/19/cape-town-could-first-major-city-run-out-water/1047237001/ |access-date=28 March 2023 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref> According to [[Oxfam]], "in the face of an imminent water shortage, the city of Cape Town in South Africa successfully reduced its water use by more than half in three years, cutting it from 1.2bn litres per day in February 2015 to 516m litres per day in 2018."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wallace |first=Bryony |url=https://policy-practice.oxfam.org/resources/avoiding-day-zero-how-cape-town-cut-its-water-usage-by-50-in-three-years-621115/ |title=Avoiding Day Zero: How Cape Town cut its water usage by 50% in three years |date=7 January 2021 |publisher=[[Oxfam]] |isbn=978-1-78748-577-8 |series=Inspiring Better Futures |doi=10.21201/2020.5778 |doi-broken-date=1 November 2024}}</ref>

In 2021 Cape Town also experienced a [[2021 Cape Town taxi conflict|violent turf war]] between [[Taxi wars in South Africa|rival mini-bus taxi firms]] which led to the deaths of 83 people. Two years later [[2023 Cape Town taxi strike|a strike by the mini-bus taxi firms]] resulted in 5 deaths.

Since the 2010s, Cape Town and the wider Western Cape province have seen the rise of a small [[Cape Independence|secessionist movement]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charles |first=Marvin |title=Cape Independence: Lobby group says recent survey 'places intense pressure' on DA to hold referendum |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/cape-independence-lobby-group-says-recent-survey-places-intense-pressure-on-da-to-hold-referendum-20210813 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005185704/https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/cape-independence-lobby-group-says-recent-survey-places-intense-pressure-on-da-to-hold-referendum-20210813 |archive-date=5 October 2021 |access-date=12 October 2021 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref> Support for parties "which have formally adopted Cape independence" was around 5% in the [[2021 South African municipal elections|2021 municipal elections]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Githahu |first=Mwangi |title=Parties which supported Western Cape independence from SA reap rewards in local government elections |url=https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/news/parties-which-supported-western-cape-independence-from-sa-reap-rewards-in-local-government-elections-e96b30e7-834d-4e7f-8dd9-99268088892b |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115210230/https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/news/parties-which-supported-western-cape-independence-from-sa-reap-rewards-in-local-government-elections-e96b30e7-834d-4e7f-8dd9-99268088892b |archive-date=15 November 2021 |access-date=15 November 2021 |work=iol.co.za |language=en}}</ref>

== Geography and the natural environment ==
[[File:The Mother City - South Africa (2417714757).jpg|thumb|[[Devil's Peak (Cape Town)|Devil's Peak]], [[Table Mountain]] and [[Lion's Head (Cape Town)|Lion's Head]]]]
[[File:Cape fires (32827624088).jpg|thumb|Satellite image of Cape Town showing the [[Cape Peninsula]] (left), [[Cape Flats]] and [[False Bay]]]]
[[File:Table Mountain Cape Town South Africa 19Mar2018 SkySat.jpg|thumb|Satellite image 3D of the [[City Bowl]] and Table Mountain]]
Cape Town is located at latitude 33.55° S (approximately the same as [[Sydney]] and [[Buenos Aires]] and equivalent to [[Casablanca]] and [[Los Angeles]] in the northern hemisphere) and longitude 18.25° E.

[[Table Mountain]], with its near vertical cliffs and flat-topped summit over {{cvt|1000|m|ft}} high, and with [[Devil's Peak (Cape Town)|Devil's Peak]] and [[Lion's Head (Cape Town)|Lion's Head]] on either side, together form a dramatic mountainous backdrop enclosing the central area of Cape Town, the so-called [[City Bowl]].

A thin strip of cloud, known colloquially as the "tablecloth" ("Karos" in [[Afrikaans]]), sometimes forms on top of the mountain. To the immediate south of the city, the [[Cape Peninsula]] is a scenic mountainous spine jutting {{cvt|40|km}} southward into the [[Atlantic Ocean]] and terminating at [[Cape Point]].

There are over 70 peaks above {{cvt|300|m}} within [[City of Cape Town|Cape Town's official metropolitan limits]]. Many of the city's suburbs lie on the large plain called the [[Cape Flats]], which extends over {{cvt|50|km|-1}} to the east and joins the peninsula to the mainland. The Cape Town region is characterised by an extensive coastline, rugged mountain ranges, coastal plains and inland valleys.

=== Extent ===
The extent of Cape Town has varied considerably over time. It originated as a small settlement at the foot of Table Mountain and has grown beyond its city limits as a [[metropolitan area]] to encompass the entire [[Cape Peninsula]] to the south, the [[Cape Flats]], the [[Helderberg]] basin and part of the Steenbras catchment area to the east, and the Tygerberg hills, Blouberg and other areas to the north. [[Robben Island]] in Table Bay is also part of Cape Town. It is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and False Bay to the south. To the north and east, the extent is demarcated by boundaries of neighbouring municipalities within the Western Cape province.

The official boundaries of the city proper extend between the [[City Bowl]] and the Atlantic Seaboard to the east and the [[Southern Suburbs, Cape Town|Southern Suburbs]] to the south. The [[City of Cape Town]], the [[metropolitan municipality]] that takes its name from the city covers the Greater Cape Town [[metropolitan area]], known as the Cape Metropole, extending beyond the city proper itself to include a number of satellite towns, suburbs and rural areas such as [[Atlantis, South Africa|Atlantis]], [[Bellville, South Africa|Bellville]], [[Blouberg, Western Cape|Blouberg]], [[Brackenfell]], [[Durbanville]], [[Goodwood, Western Cape|Goodwood]], [[Gordon's Bay]], [[Hout Bay]], [[Khayelitsha]], [[Kraaifontein]], [[Kuils River|Kuilsrivier]], [[Macassar, Western Cape|Macassar]], [[Melkbosstrand]], [[Milnerton]], [[Muizenberg]], [[Noordhoek, Cape Town|Noordhoek]], [[Parow, South Africa|Parow]], [[Philadelphia, South Africa|Philadelphia]], [[Simon's Town]], [[Somerset West]], and [[Strand, Western Cape|Strand]] among others.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census 2011: Metropolitan Municipality: City of Cape Town |url=https://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/199 |access-date=7 June 2023 |website=census2011.adrianfrith.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Census 2011: Main Place: Cape Town |url=https://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/199041 |access-date=7 June 2023 |website=census2011.adrianfrith.com}}</ref>

The [[Cape Peninsula]] is {{cvt|52|km|-1}} long from [[Mouille Point]] in the north to Cape Point in the south,<ref name="Map 3318" /> with an area of about {{cvt|470|km2|sqmi}}, and it displays more topographical variety than other similar sized areas in southern Africa, and consequently spectacular scenery. There are diverse low-nutrient soils, large rocky outcrops, scree slopes, a mainly rocky coastline with embayed beaches, and considerable local variation in climatic conditions.<ref name="Cowling et al 1996" />

The sedimentary rocks of the [[Cape Supergroup]], of which parts of the Graafwater and Peninsula Formations remain, were uplifted between 280 and 21S million years ago, and were largely eroded away during the Mesozoic. The region was geologically stable during the Tertiary, which has led to slow denudation of the durable sandstones. Erosion rate and drainage has been influenced by fault lines and fractures, leaving remnant steep-sided massifs like Table Mountain surrounded by flatter slopes of deposits of the eroded material overlaying the older rocks,<ref name="Cowling et al 1996" />

There are two internationally notable landmarks, [[Table Mountain]] and [[Cape Point]], at opposite ends of the Peninsula Mountain Chain, with the [[Cape Flats]] and [[False Bay]] to the east and the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the west. The landscape is dominated by sandstone plateaux and ridges, which generally drop steeply at their margins to the surrounding debris slopes, interrupted by a major gap at the Fish Hoek–Noordhoek valley.

In the south much of the area is a low sandstone plateau with sand dunes. Maximum altitude is 1113{{spaces}}m on Table Mountain.<ref name="Cowling et al 1996" /> The Cape Flats (Afrikaans: Kaapse Vlakte) is a flat, low-lying, sandy area, area to the east the Cape Peninsula, and west of the Helderberg much of which was wetland and dunes within recent history. To the north are the Tygerberg Hills and the Stellenbosch district.

The [[Helderberg]] area of Greater Cape Town, previously known as the "Hottentots-Holland" area, is mostly residential, but also a wine-producing area east of the Cape Flats, west of the Hottentots Holland mountain range and south of the Helderberg mountain, from which it gets its current name. The Helderberg consists of the previous municipalities of Somerset West, Strand, Gordons Bay and a few other towns. Industry and commerce is largely in service of the area.

After the Cape Peninsula, Helderberg is the next most mountainous part of Greater Cape Town, bordered to the north and east by the highest peaks in the region along the watershed of the Helderberg and Hottentots Holland Mountains, which are part of the Cape Fold Belt with [[Cape Supergroup]] strata on a basement of Tygerberg Formation rocks intruded by part of the Stellenbosch granite pluton. The region includes the entire catchment of the Lourens and Sir Lowry's rivers, separated by the Schapenberg hill, and a small part of the catchment of the Eerste River to the west. The Helderberg is ecologically highly diverse, rivaling the Cape Peninsula, and has its own endemic ecoregions and several conservation areas.

To the east of the Hottentots Holland mountains is the valley of the Steenbras River, in which the [[Steenbras Dam]] was built as a water supply for Cape Town. The dam has been supplemented by several other dams around the western Cape, some of them considerably larger. This is almost entirely a conservation area, of high biodiversity. [[Bellville, South Africa|Bellville]], [[Brackenfell]], [[Durbanville]], [[Kraaifontein]], [[Goodwood, Western Cape|Goodwood]] and [[Parow, South Africa|Parow]] are a few of the towns that make up the [[Northern Suburbs, Cape Town|Northern Suburbs]] of Cape Town. In current popular culture these areas are often referred to as being beyond the "[[boerewors]] curtain," a play on the term "[[iron curtain]]."

[[UNESCO]] declared [[Robben Island]] in the Western Cape a [[List of World Heritage Sites in Africa|World Heritage Site]] in 1999. Robben Island is located in Table Bay, some {{cvt|6|km}} west of Bloubergstrand, a coastal suburb north of Cape Town, and stands some 30m above sea level. Robben Island has been used as a [[Maximum Security Prison, Robben Island|prison]] where people were isolated, banished, and exiled for nearly 400 years. It was also used as a [[Leprosy|leper]] colony, a post office, a grazing ground, a mental hospital, and an outpost.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 July 2011 |title=Robben Island |url=https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/robben-island |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401181709/https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/robben-island |archive-date=1 April 2019 |access-date=24 July 2019 |website=South African History Online}}</ref>

{{wide image|Ciudad del Cabo desde Cabeza de León, Sudáfrica, 2018-07-22, DD 20-23 PAN.jpg|850px|Cape Town's "[[City Bowl]]" viewed from [[Lion's Head (Cape Town)|Lion's Head]] in May (late autumn)}}

=== Geology ===
{{Main|Geology of Cape Town}}
[[File:Geological map of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay.png|thumb|upright|left|Geological map of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay]]

The [[Cape Peninsula]] is a rocky and mountainous [[peninsula]] that juts out into the [[Atlantic Ocean]] at the south-western extremity of the continent. At its tip is Cape Point and the [[Cape of Good Hope]]. The peninsula forms the west side of False Bay and the Cape Flats. On the east side are the Helderberg and Hottentots Holland mountains.

The three main rock formations are the late-[[Precambrian]] Malmesbury group (sedimentary and metamorphic rock), the Cape Granite suit, comprising the huge Peninsula, Kuilsrivier-Helderberg, and Stellenbosch batholiths, that were intruded into the Malmesbury Group about 630 million years ago, and the [[Cape Fold Belt#Table Mountain group|Table Mountain group]] sandstones that were deposited on the eroded surface of the granite and Malmesbury series basement about 450 million years ago.

The sand, silt and mud deposits were lithified by pressure and then folded during the Cape Orogeny to form the [[Cape Fold Belt]], which extends in an arc along the western and southern coasts. The present landscape is due to prolonged erosion having carved out deep valleys, removing parts of the once continuous Table Mountain Group sandstone cover from over the Cape Flats and False Bay, and leaving high residual mountain ridges.<ref name="Compton 2004" />

At times the sea covered the Cape Flats and [[Noordhoek, Cape Town|Noordhoek]] valley and the Cape Peninsula was then a group of islands. During glacial periods the sea level dropped to expose the bottom of False Bay to weathering and erosion, with the last major regression leaving the entire bottom of False Bay exposed.

During this period an extensive system of dunes was formed on the sandy floor of False Bay. At this time the drainage outlets lay between Rocky Bank Cape Point to the west, and between Rocky Bank and Hangklip Ridge to the east, with the watershed roughly along the line of the contact zone east of Seal Island and Whittle Rock.<ref name="Compton 2004" /><ref name="Brown and Magoba 2009 part 1" />{{rp|Ch2}}

=== Climate ===
[[File:Llandudno Beach, Cape Town, Western Cape Province (6252674535).jpg|thumb|[[Llandudno, Western Cape]] during a sunny day]]
Cape Town has a [[Mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Csb'', bordering ''Csa''),<ref>{{Cite book |last=Robinson |first=Peter J. |title=Contemporary Climatology |last2=Henderson-Sellers |first2=Ann |publisher=Pearson Education Limited |year=1999 |isbn=9780582276314 |location=Harlow |page=123}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Rohli |first=Robert V. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WhtZKBCv7NMC |title=Climatology |last2=Vega |first2=Anthony J. |publisher=Jones & Bartlett Learning |year=2011 |isbn=9781449649548 |location=Sudbury, MA |page=250 |access-date=27 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121014626/https://books.google.com/books?id=WhtZKBCv7NMC |archive-date=21 November 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cape Point (South Africa) |url=http://gaw.empa.ch/gawsis/reports.asp?StationID=35 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827135620/http://gaw.empa.ch/gawsis/reports.asp?StationID=35 |archive-date=27 August 2013 |access-date=20 May 2014 |website=Global Atmosphere Watch Station Information System (GAWSIS) |publisher=Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss |quote=climate zone – Csb (Warm temperate climate with dry and warm summer)}}</ref> with mild, moderately wet winters and dry, warm summers. Winter, which lasts from June to September, may see large cold fronts entering for limited periods from the Atlantic Ocean with significant [[precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] and strong north-westerly winds. Winter months in the city average a maximum of {{cvt|18|C|0}} and minimum of {{cvt|8.5|C|0}}.

Winters are [[snow]] and [[frost]] free, except on Table Mountain and on other mountain peaks, where light accumulation of snow and frost can sometimes occur.<ref name="WMO">{{Cite web |title=World Weather Information Service – Cape Town |url=http://www.worldweather.org/035/c00138.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426062632/http://www.worldweather.org/035/c00138.htm |archive-date=26 April 2010 |access-date=4 May 2010}}</ref>
Total annual rainfall in the city averages {{cvt|515|mm|in|1}} although in the [[Southern Suburbs, Cape Town|Southern Suburbs]], close to the mountains, rainfall is significantly higher and averages closer to {{cvt|1000|mm|in|1|abbr=}}.

Summer, which lasts from December to March, is warm and dry with an average maximum of {{cvt|26|°C|0}} and minimum of {{cvt|16|°C|0}}. The region can get uncomfortably hot when the [[Berg Wind]], meaning "mountain wind", blows from the [[Karoo]] interior.

Spring and summer generally feature a strong wind from the south-east, known locally as the south-{{not a typo|easter}} or the [[Cape Doctor]], so called because it blows air pollution away. This wind is caused by a persistent [[Pressure system#High-pressure system|high-pressure system]] over the [[South Atlantic Ocean|South Atlantic]] to the west of Cape Town, known as the [[South Atlantic High]], which shifts latitude seasonally, following the sun, and influencing the strength of the fronts and their northward reach. Cape Town receives about 3,100 hours of sunshine per year.<ref name=NOAA/>

Water temperatures range greatly, between {{cvt|10|°C|0}} on the Atlantic Seaboard, to over {{cvt|22|°C|0}} in [[False Bay]]. Average annual ocean surface temperatures are between {{cvt|13|°C|0}} on the Atlantic Seaboard (similar to Californian waters, such as [[San Francisco]] or [[Big Sur]]), and {{cvt|17|°C|0}} in False Bay (similar to Northern Mediterranean temperatures, such as [[Nice]] or [[Monte Carlo]]).

Unlike other parts of the country the city does not have many [[thunderstorm]]s, and most of those that do occur, happen around October to December and March to April.
{{Weather box
| location = Cape Town ([[Cape Town International Airport]]) (1991–2020 normals)
| metric first = Y
| single line = Y
| Jan record high C = 45.2
| Feb record high C = 38.3
| Mar record high C = 43.0
| Apr record high C = 38.6
| May record high C = 33.5
| Jun record high C = 29.8
| Jul record high C = 29.0
| Aug record high C = 32.0
| Sep record high C = 33.1
| Oct record high C = 37.2
| Nov record high C = 39.9
| Dec record high C = 41.4
| Jan high C = 27.0
| Feb high C = 27.3
| Mar high C = 26.0
| Apr high C = 23.6
| May high C = 20.6
| Jun high C = 18.2
| Jul high C = 17.9
| Aug high C = 18.0
| Sep high C = 19.6
| Oct high C = 22.2
| Nov high C = 23.7
| Dec high C = 25.8
| Jan mean C = 21.8
| Feb mean C = 21.9
| Mar mean C = 20.5
| Apr mean C = 17.9
| May mean C = 15.4
| Jun mean C = 13.2
| Jul mean C = 12.7
| Aug mean C = 13.0
| Sep mean C = 14.5
| Oct mean C = 16.9
| Nov mean C = 18.6
| Dec mean C = 20.7
| Jan low C = 16.6
| Feb low C = 16.5
| Mar low C = 15.0
| Apr low C = 12.2
| May low C = 10.2
| Jun low C = 8.1
| Jul low C = 7.4
| Aug low C = 7.9
| Sep low C = 9.4
| Oct low C = 11.5
| Nov low C = 13.4
| Dec low C = 15.6
| Jan record low C = 7.4
| Feb record low C = 6.4
| Mar record low C = 4.6
| Apr record low C = 2.4
| May record low C = 0.9
| Jun record low C = -1.2
| Jul record low C = -1.3
| Aug record low C = -0.4
| Sep record low C = 0.2
| Oct record low C = 1.0
| Nov record low C = 3.9
| Dec record low C = 6.2
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 9.4
| Feb precipitation mm = 9.6
| Mar precipitation mm = 12.5
| Apr precipitation mm = 40.1
| May precipitation mm = 61.1
| Jun precipitation mm = 92.3
| Jul precipitation mm = 84.8
| Aug precipitation mm = 72.4
| Sep precipitation mm = 44.3
| Oct precipitation mm = 28.4
| Nov precipitation mm = 25.3
| Dec precipitation mm = 12.8
| year precipitation mm = 492.8
| unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 1.8
| Feb precipitation days = 1.8
| Mar precipitation days = 2.5
| Apr precipitation days = 5.0
| May precipitation days = 7.4
| Jun precipitation days = 10.1
| Jul precipitation days = 9.1
| Aug precipitation days = 9.3
| Sep precipitation days = 6.8
| Oct precipitation days = 4.2
| Nov precipitation days = 4.0
| Dec precipitation days = 2.6
| Jan humidity = 71
| Feb humidity = 72
| Mar humidity = 74
| Apr humidity = 78
| May humidity = 81
| Jun humidity = 81
| Jul humidity = 81
| Aug humidity = 80
| Sep humidity = 77
| Oct humidity = 74
| Nov humidity = 71
| Dec humidity = 71
| Jan sun = 352.3
| Feb sun = 304.0
| Mar sun = 289.7
| Apr sun = 240.1
| May sun = 196.7
| Jun sun = 175.9
| Jul sun = 197.0
| Aug sun = 206.2
| Sep sun = 228.4
| Oct sun = 283.5
| Nov sun = 302.8
| Dec sun = 338.4
| Jan uv = 12
| Feb uv = 11
| Mar uv = 8
| Apr uv = 5
| May uv = 3
| Jun uv = 2
| Jul uv = 2
| Aug uv = 4
| Sep uv = 6
| Oct uv = 8
| Nov uv = 10
| Dec uv = 12
| source = [[NOAA]] (humidity 1961–1990),<ref name="NOAA">{{Cite web |title=Cape Town/DF Malan Climate Normals 1961–1990 |url=ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-I/UA/68816.TXT |access-date=8 April 2013 |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Climate Normals 1991–2020 |url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/SouthAfrica/CSV/CapeTown_68816.csv |access-date=18 September 2018 |website=[[NOAA]]}}</ref> South African Weather Service,<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 October 2003 |title=Climate data: Cape Town |url=http://old.weathersa.co.za/Climat/Climstats/CapeTownStats.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314111749/http://old.weathersa.co.za/Climat/Climstats/CapeTownStats.jsp |archive-date=14 March 2011 |access-date=17 March 2011 |publisher=Old.weathersa.co.za}}</ref> eNCA<ref name="enca">{{Cite web |title=Hottest temperature |url=http://www.enca.com/south-africa/its-hottest-day-cape-town-century |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720034623/http://www.enca.com/south-africa/its-hottest-day-cape-town-century |archive-date=20 July 2015 |access-date=6 March 2015 |publisher=enca.com}}</ref> |date=March 2011 }}

==== Climate change ====
A 2019 paper published in [[PLOS One]] estimated that under [[Representative Concentration Pathway#4.5|Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5]], a "moderate" scenario of [[climate change]] where global warming reaches ~{{cvt|2.5-3|C-change|F-change}} by 2100, the climate of Cape Town in the year 2050 would most closely resemble the current climate of [[Perth]] in [[Australia]].

The annual temperature would increase by {{cvt|1.1|C-change|F-change}}, and the temperature of the coldest month by {{cvt|0.3|C-change|F-change}}, while the temperature of the warmest month would be {{cvt|2.3|C-change|F-change}} higher.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Bastin |first=Jean-Francois |last2=Clark |first2=Emily |last3=Elliott |first3=Thomas |last4=Hart |first4=Simon |last5=van den Hoogen |first5=Johan |last6=Hordijk |first6=Iris |last7=Ma |first7=Haozhi |last8=Majumder |first8=Sabiha |last9=Manoli |first9=Gabriele |last10=Maschler |first10=Julia |last11=Mo |first11=Lidong |last12=Routh |first12=Devin |last13=Yu |first13=Kailiang |last14=Zohner |first14=Constantin M. |last15=Thomas W. |first15=Crowther |date=10 July 2019 |title=Understanding climate change from a global analysis of city analogues |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=14 |issue=7 |at=S2 Table. Summary statistics of the global analysis of city analogues. |bibcode=2019PLoSO..1417592B |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0217592 |pmc=6619606 |pmid=31291249 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cities of the future: visualizing climate change to inspire action |url=https://crowtherlab.pageflow.io/cities-of-the-future-visualizing-climate-change-to-inspire-action |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108082440/https://crowtherlab.pageflow.io/cities-of-the-future-visualizing-climate-change-to-inspire-action |archive-date=8 January 2023 |access-date=8 January 2023 |at=Current vs. future cities}}</ref> According to [[Climate Action Tracker]], the current warming trajectory appears consistent with {{cvt|2.7|C-change|F-change}}, which closely matches RCP 4.5.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The CAT Thermometer |url=https://climateactiontracker.org/global/cat-thermometer/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414131223/https://climateactiontracker.org/global/cat-thermometer/ |archive-date=14 April 2019 |access-date=8 January 2023}}</ref>

Moreover, according to the 2022 [[IPCC Sixth Assessment Report]], Cape Town is one of 12 major African cities ([[Abidjan]], [[Alexandria]], [[Algiers]], Cape Town, [[Casablanca]], [[Dakar]], [[Dar es Salaam]], [[Durban]], [[Lagos]], [[Lomé]], [[Luanda]] and [[Maputo]]) which would be the most severely affected by future [[sea level rise]]. It estimates that they would collectively sustain cumulative damages of US$65 billion under RCP 4.5 and US$86.5 billion for the high-emission scenario RCP 8.5 by the year 2050.

Additionally, RCP 8.5 combined with the hypothetical impact from [[marine ice sheet instability]] at high levels of warming would involve up to US$137.5 billion in damages,{{Clarify|how would the damages occur? By what mechanism? To which areas?|date=March 2024}} while the additional accounting for the "low-probability, high-damage events" may increase aggregate risks to US$187 billion for the "moderate" RCP4.5, US$206 billion for RCP8.5 and US$397 billion under the high-end ice sheet instability scenario.<ref>Trisos, C.H., I.O. Adelekan, E. Totin, A. Ayanlade, J. Efitre, A. Gemeda, K. Kalaba, C. Lennard, C. Masao, Y. Mgaya, G. Ngaruiya, D. Olago, N.P. Simpson, and S. Zakieldeen 2022: [https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGII_Chapter09.pdf Chapter 9: Africa] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206082533/https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGII_Chapter09.pdf |date=6 December 2022 }}. In [https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/ Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228114918/https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/ |date=28 February 2022 }} [H.-O. Pörtner, D.C. Roberts, M. Tignor, E.S. Poloczanska, K. Mintenbeck, A. Alegría, M. Craig, S. Langsdorf, S. Löschke, V. Möller, A. Okem, B. Rama (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, US, pp. 2043–2121</ref>

Since sea level rise would continue for about 10,000 years under every scenario of climate change, future costs of sea level rise would only increase, especially without adaptation measures.{{clarify|What adaptation measures?|date=March 2024}}<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGI_Full_Report.pdf |title=Technical Summary. In: Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change |date=August 2021 |publisher=IPCC |page=TS14 |access-date=12 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813201719/https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGI_Full_Report.pdf |archive-date=13 August 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Hydrology ===
<!-- {{main|Rivers of Cape Town}} -->
{{See also|Cape Peninsula#Drainage|Helderberg#Drainage|Cape Flats#Drainage}}

==== Sea surface temperatures ====
{{see also|False Bay#Waves, tides, water circulation and temperature|Cape Peninsula#Oceanography}}
[[File:Sea surface temperatures False Bay.png|thumb|left|upright=2.2|Charts of sea surface temperature in and near False Bay in summer and winter<ref name="Pfaff et al 2019" />]]
Cape Town's coastal water ranges from cold to mild, and the difference between the two sides of the peninsula can be dramatic. While the Atlantic Seaboard averages annual sea surface temperatures around {{cvt|13|°C|°F}}, the [[False Bay]] coast is much warmer, averaging between {{cvt|16|and|17|C|F}} annually.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

In summer, [[False Bay]] water averages slightly over {{cvt|20|°C|°F}}, with {{cvt|22|°C|°F}} an occasional high. Beaches located on the Atlantic Coast tend to have colder water due to the wind driven upwellings which contribute to the [[Benguela Current]] which originates off the Cape Peninsula, while the water at False Bay beaches may occasionally be warmer by up to {{cvt|10|C-change|0}} at the same time in summer.

In summer False Bay is thermally stratified, with a vertical temperature variation of 5 to 9˚C between the warmer surface water and cooler depths below 50{{spaces}}m, while in winter the water column is at nearly constant temperature at all depths. The development of a [[thermocline]] is strongest around late December and peaks in late summer to early autumn.<ref name="Coleman 2019" />{{rp|8}} In summer the south easterly winds generate a zone of upwelling near [[Pringle Bay|Cape Hangklip]], where surface water temperatures can be 6 to 7&nbsp;°C colder than the surrounding areas, and bottom temperatures below 12&nbsp;°C.<ref name="Coleman 2019" />{{rp|10}}

In the summer to early autumn (January–March), cold water upwelling near Cape Hangklip causes a strong surface temperature gradient between the south-western and north-eastern corners of the bay. In winter the surface temperature tends to be much the same everywhere. In the northern sector surface temperature varies a bit more (13 to 22{{spaces}}°C) than in the south (14 to 20{{spaces}}°C) during the year.<ref name="Pfaff et al 2019" />

Surface temperature variation from year to year is linked to the [[El Niño–Southern Oscillation]]. During El Niño years the South Atlantic high is shifted, reducing the south-easterly winds, so upwelling and evaporative cooling are reduced and sea surface temperatures throughout the bay are warmer, while in La Niña years there is more wind and upwelling and consequently lower temperatures. Surface water heating during El Niño increases vertical stratification. The relationship is not linear.<ref name="Pfaff et al 2019" /> Occasionally eddies from the Agulhas current will bring warmer water and vagrant sea life carried from the south and east coasts into False Bay.

=== Flora and fauna ===
{{Main|Biodiversity of Cape Town}}
[[File:Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos - Cape Town 8.JPG|thumb|[[Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos]] growing in [[Table Mountain National Park]].]]

Located in a [[Conservation International]] [[biodiversity hotspot]] as well as the unique [[Cape Floristic Region]], the city of Cape Town has one of the highest levels of [[biodiversity]] of any equivalent area in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brochures, booklets and posters |url=http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/EnvironmentalResourceManagement/publications/Pages/BrochuresBooklets.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121223125053/http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/EnvironmentalResourceManagement/publications/Pages/Brochuresbooklets.aspx |archive-date=23 December 2012 |access-date=1 October 2011 |publisher=Capetown.gov.za}}</ref><ref name="fri1">{{Cite news |last=Friedman |first=Barbara |date=14 May 2021 |title=Cape Town recorded most sightings and species in world 2021 #CityNatureChallenge |url=https://www.capetalk.co.za/articles/416381/cape-town-recorded-most-sightings-and-species-in-world-citynaturechallenge2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519021337/https://www.capetalk.co.za/articles/416381/cape-town-recorded-most-sightings-and-species-in-world-citynaturechallenge2021 |archive-date=19 May 2021 |access-date=19 May 2021 |work=Lifestyle |publisher=capetalk.co.za |agency=Cape Talk 567 AM}}</ref>

These protected areas are a [[World Heritage Site]], and an estimated 2,200 species of plants are confined to Table Mountain – more than exist in the whole of the [[United Kingdom]] which has 1200 plant species and 67 endemic plant species.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Unique Biodiversity Poster |url=http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/EnvironmentalResourceManagement/publications/Documents/Biodiversity_poster-CT_Unique_Biodiv_SPECIES_2011-02.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725080811/http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/EnvironmentalResourceManagement/publications/Documents/Biodiversity_poster-CT_Unique_Biodiv_SPECIES_2011-02.pdf |archive-date=25 July 2012 |access-date=6 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cape Town Tourism |title=Vote for Table Mountain – Cape Town Tourism |url=http://www.capetown.travel/votefortablemountain/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112172911/http://www.capetown.travel/votefortablemountain/ |archive-date=12 January 2012 |access-date=12 January 2013 |publisher=Capetown.travel}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Western Cape |url=http://www.southafricaholiday.org.uk/places/p_western_cape.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210202319/http://www.southafricaholiday.org.uk/places/p_western_cape.htm |archive-date=10 December 2012 |access-date=12 January 2013 |publisher=Southafricaholiday.org.uk}}</ref> Many of these species, including a great many types of [[protea]]s, are endemic to the mountain and can be found nowhere else.<ref>A.G. Rebelo, C. Boucher, N. Helme, L. Mucina, M.C. Rutherford et al. 2006. Fynbos Biome, in: L. Mucina & M.C. Rutherford (eds). ''The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland.''</ref>

It is home to a total of 19 different [[phytochorion|vegetation types]], of which several are [[endemic]] to the city and occur nowhere else in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment 2005 Targets |url=http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/stats/Documents/Vegetation%20Types.mht |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824223150/http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/stats/Documents/Vegetation%20Types.mht |archive-date=24 August 2013 |access-date=24 February 2014 |publisher=Capetown.gov.za}}</ref>
It is also the only habitat of hundreds of endemic species,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Endemic Species of the city of Cape Town |url=http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/EnvironmentalResourceManagement/publications/Documents/Biodiv_fact_sheet_suppl_Endemic_spp_list_2010-03.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111101122444/http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/EnvironmentalResourceManagement/publications/Documents/Biodiv_fact_sheet_suppl_Endemic_spp_list_2010-03.pdf |archive-date=1 November 2011}}</ref> and hundreds of others which are severely restricted or threatened. This enormous species diversity is mainly because the city is uniquely located at the convergence point of several different soil types and micro-climates.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lemaire |first=Benny |last2=Dlodlo |first2=Oscar |last3=Chimphango |first3=Samson |last4=Stirton |first4=Charles |last5=Schrire |first5=Brian |last6=Boatwright |first6=James S. |last7=Honnay |first7=Olivier |last8=Smets |first8=Erik |last9=Sprent |first9=Janet |last10=James |first10=Euan K. |last11=Muasya |first11=Abraham M. |date=2015 |title=Symbiotic diversity, specificity and distribution of rhizobia in native legumes of the Core Cape Subregion (South Africa) |url=https://academic.oup.com/femsec/article/91/2/1/2467736 |url-status=live |journal=FEMS Microbiology Ecology |volume=91 |issue=2 |pages=1–17 |doi=10.1093/femsec/fiu024 |pmid=25764552 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427033901/https://academic.oup.com/femsec/article/91/2/1/2467736 |archive-date=27 April 2021 |access-date=19 January 2021 |via=Oxford Academic |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Linder |first=H. P. |date=2003 |title=The radiation of the Cape flora, southern Africa |url=http://doi.wiley.com/10.1017/S1464793103006171 |url-status=live |journal=Biological Reviews |volume=78 |issue=4 |pages=597–638 |doi=10.1017/S1464793103006171 |pmid=14700393 |s2cid=43101616 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529140752/https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1017/S1464793103006171 |archive-date=29 May 2021 |access-date=19 January 2021}}</ref>

Table Mountain has an unusually rich biodiversity. Its vegetation consists predominantly of several different types of the unique and rich Cape [[Fynbos]]. The main vegetation type is endangered [[Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos]], but [[critically endangered]] [[Peninsula Granite Fynbos]], [[Peninsula Shale Renosterveld]] and [[Afromontane|Afromontane forest]] occur in smaller portions on the mountain.

Rapid [[population growth]] and [[Urbanisation|urban sprawl]] has covered much of these ecosystems with development. Consequently, Cape Town now has over 300 [[threatened]] plant species and 13 which are now [[extinct]]. The [[Cape Peninsula]], which lies entirely within the city of Cape Town, has the highest concentration of [[threatened species]] of any continental area of equivalent size in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The View from The Cape: Extinction Risk, Protected Areas, and Climate Change |url=http://perceval.bio.nau.edu/downloads/grail/climate_seminar/section2/Hannah_etal05.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825180525/http://perceval.bio.nau.edu/downloads/grail/climate_seminar/section2/Hannah_etal05.pdf |archive-date=25 August 2013 |access-date=24 February 2014 |publisher=Perceval.bio.nau.edu}}</ref>

Tiny remnant populations of [[critically endangered]] or [[Extinct|near extinct]] plants sometimes survive on road sides, pavements and sports fields.<ref>[http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/EnvironmentalResourceManagement/publications/Documents/Biodiv_fact_sheet_8_threatened_species_2010-03.pdf]{{dead link|date=May 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The remaining ecosystems are partially protected through a system of over 30 [[List of nature reserves in Cape Town|nature reserves]] – including the massive [[Table Mountain National Park]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Table Mountain National Park |url=http://www.nature-reserve.co.za/cape-peninsula-national-park.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605084259/http://www.nature-reserve.co.za/cape-peninsula-national-park.html |archive-date=5 June 2012 |access-date=9 July 2020 |publisher=nature-reserve.co.za}}</ref>

Cape Town reached first place in the 2019 iNaturalist City Nature Challenge in two out of the three categories: Most Observations, and Most Species. This was the first entry by Capetonians in this annual competition to observe and record the local biodiversity over a four-day long weekend during what is considered the worst time of the year for local observations.<ref name="Two Oceans">{{Cite web |date=7 May 2019 |title=Congratulations! Cape Town claims the top spot in the international City Nature Challenge 2019 |url=https://www.aquarium.co.za/blog/entry/cape-town-claims-the-top-spot-in-city-nature-challenge-2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805185315/https://www.aquarium.co.za/blog/entry/cape-town-claims-the-top-spot-in-city-nature-challenge-2019 |archive-date=5 August 2019 |access-date=5 August 2019}}</ref>

A worldwide survey suggested that the extinction rate of endemic plants from the City of Cape Town is one of the highest in the world, at roughly three per year since 1900 – partly a consequence of the very small and localised habitats and high endemicity.<ref name="Rebelo 2019">{{Cite web |last=Rebelo |first=Tony |date=12 June 2019 |title=And we feature again !!! Cape Town in the forefront ... |url=https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2019-cape-town/journal/25459 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805162241/https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2019-cape-town/journal/25459 |archive-date=5 August 2019 |access-date=5 August 2019 |website=iNaturalist}}</ref>

== Government ==
{{Main|City of Cape Town}}
{{Politics of Western Cape}}
Cape Town is governed by a 231-member city council elected in a system of [[mixed-member proportional representation]]. The city is divided into 116 [[ward (South Africa)|wards]], each of which elects a councillor by [[first-past-the-post voting]]. The remaining 115 councillors are elected from [[party list]]s so that the total number of councillors for each party is proportional to the number of votes received by that party.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Piombo |first=J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gbTFAAAAQBAJ&q=%22cape+town%22+councillor+election+%22party+lists%22+first-past-the-post&pg=PA203 |title=Institutions, Ethnicity, and Political Mobilization in South Africa |date=3 August 2009 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-0-230-62382-8 |access-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427045402/https://books.google.com/books?id=gbTFAAAAQBAJ&q=%22cape+town%22+councillor+election+%22party+lists%22+first-past-the-post&pg=PA203 |archive-date=27 April 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Anciano |first=Fiona |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8yVxDwAAQBAJ&q=%22cape+town%22+116+wards&pg=PT51 |title=Democracy Disconnected: Participation and Governance in a City of the South |last2=Piper |first2=Laurence |date=3 October 2018 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-429-79429-2 |access-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426203322/https://books.google.com/books?id=8yVxDwAAQBAJ&q=%22cape+town%22+116+wards&pg=PT51 |archive-date=26 April 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In the [[2021 South African municipal elections|2021 Municipal Elections]], the Democratic Alliance (DA) kept its majority, this time diminished, taking 136 seats. The African National Congress lost substantially, receiving 43 of the seats.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IEC Results Dashboard |url=https://results.elections.org.za/dashboards/lge/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108025842/https://results.elections.org.za/dashboards/lge/ |archive-date=8 November 2021 |access-date=8 November 2021 |website=results.elections.org.za}}</ref><ref>Seat Calculation Detail: City of Cape Town. Electoral Commission of South Africa [https://results.elections.org.za/home/LGEPublicReports/1091/Seat%20Calculation%20Detail/WP/CPT.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106113713/https://results.elections.org.za/home/LGEPublicReports/1091/Seat%20Calculation%20Detail/WP/CPT.pdf|date=6 November 2021}}</ref> The Democratic Alliance candidate for the Cape Town mayoralty, [[Geordin Hill-Lewis]] was elected mayor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WATCH: Geordin Hill-Lewis officially becomes Cape Town's youngest mayor after council vote |url=https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/news/watch-geordin-hill-lewis-officially-becomes-cape-towns-youngest-mayor-after-council-vote-b56e46eb-336d-41fa-8486-32085841e63f |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118110127/https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/news/watch-geordin-hill-lewis-officially-becomes-cape-towns-youngest-mayor-after-council-vote-b56e46eb-336d-41fa-8486-32085841e63f |archive-date=18 November 2021 |access-date=18 November 2021 |website=iol.co.za |language=en}}</ref>
<gallery mode="packed" height="270px">
CT City Hall Before the Sun.jpg|The Old [[Cape Town City Hall]] as seen from the [[Grand Parade (Cape Town)|Grand Parade]] in front of the building.
Cape Town Civic Centre.jpg|The [[Cape Town Civic Centre]], the central offices of the City of Cape Town.
Western Cape Provincial Parliament (2018) (cropped wo cars).jpg|The [[Western Cape Provincial Parliament]]
9 2 018 0234-Houses of Parliament-The Cape-s.jpg|[[South African parliament|South Africa's national parliament]] building is located in Cape Town.
</gallery>

=== International relations ===
Cape Town has nineteen active [[sister city]] agreements<ref name="International agreements City of Cape Town">{{Cite web |title=Sister cities partnership agreements |url=http://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Meet-the-City/External-relations/sister-cities-partnership-agreements |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704014201/https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Meet-the-City/External-relations/sister-cities-partnership-agreements |archive-date=4 July 2020 |access-date=20 March 2020 |publisher=City of Cape Town}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* {{flagicon|DEU}} [[Aachen]], Germany
* {{flagicon|GHA}} [[Accra]], Ghana
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Atlanta]], United States
* {{flagicon|ARG}} [[Buenos Aires]], Argentina
* {{flagicon|BDI}} [[Bujumbura]], Burundi
* {{flagicon|UAE}} [[Dubai]], United Arab Emirates
* {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Hangzhou]], China
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Houston]], United States
* {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Huangshan]], China
* {{flagicon|TUR}} [[İzmir]], Turkey
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Los Angeles]], United States
* {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Malmö Municipality|Malmö]], Sweden
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Miami-Dade County, Florida|Miami-Dade County]], United States
* {{flagicon|MEX}} [[Monterrey]], Mexico
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[Munich]], Germany
* {{flagicon|Kenya}} [[Nairobi]], Kenya
* {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Rio de Janeiro]], Brazil
* {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Shenzhen]], China
* {{flagicon|BUL}} [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]], Bulgaria
* {{flagicon|CHN}} [[Wuhan]], China
{{div col end}}

==== 2022 invasion of Ukraine ====
[[File:City Hall lit in blue and yellow (3).jpg|thumb|Cape Town City hall lit up in the colours of the Ukrainian flag as a gesture of solidarity with the country.]]
The [[City of Cape Town]] has expressed explicit support for Ukraine during the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|2022 invasion of the country by Russia]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cape Town mayor pledges solidarity with Ukraine |url=https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/national/2022-03-03-cape-town-mayor-pledges-solidarity-with-ukraine/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514135708/https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/national/2022-03-03-cape-town-mayor-pledges-solidarity-with-ukraine/ |archive-date=14 May 2022 |access-date=3 March 2022 |website=BusinessLIVE |language=en-ZA}}</ref> To show this support the City of Cape Town lit up the Old City Hall in the colours of the [[Flag of Ukraine|Ukrainian flag]] on 2 March 2022.<ref name="Evans 2022">{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Jenni |title=Cape Town City Hall's turn to get lit up for Ukraine |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/cape-town-city-halls-turn-to-get-lit-up-for-ukraine-20220302 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302163933/https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/cape-town-city-halls-turn-to-get-lit-up-for-ukraine-20220302 |archive-date=2 March 2022 |access-date=3 March 2022 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Plessis |first=Carien du |date=2 March 2022 |title=FOREIGN POLICY: DA lights up City Hall in solidarity with Ukraine, while ANC government abstains from UN vote opposing Russian invasion |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-03-03-da-lights-up-city-hall-in-solidarity-with-ukraine-while-anc-government-abstains-from-un-vote-opposing-russian-invasion/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616181040/https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-03-03-da-lights-up-city-hall-in-solidarity-with-ukraine-while-anc-government-abstains-from-un-vote-opposing-russian-invasion/ |archive-date=16 June 2022 |access-date=16 June 2022 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}}</ref> This has differentiated the city from the officially [[South Africa–Ukraine relations#2022 Russian invasion|neutral foreign policy position]] taken by the [[Government of South Africa|South African national government]].<ref name="Evans 2022" />

== Demographics ==
{{Historical populations|type=ZA|percentages=pagr|cols=2
| 1658|360
| 1731|3157
| 1823|15500
| 1833|19227
| 1836|20000
| 1875|45000
| 1891|67000
| 1901|171000
| 1936|344223
| 1950|618000
| 1955|705000
| 1960|803000
| 1965|945000
| 1970|1114000
| 1975|1339000
| 1980|1609000
| 1985|1933000
| 1990|2296000
| 1996|2565018
| 2001|2892243
| 2007|3497097
| 2011|3740025
| 2016|4004793
| 2021|4678900
| 2022|4772846
| 2023|4890000
| 2024|4978000
| 2025|5064000
| footnote={{nowrap|Note: Census figures (1996–2011) cover}} figures after 1994 reflect the greater Cape Town metropolitan municipality reflecting post-1994 reforms. '''Sources:''' 1658–1904,<ref name="C1875" /> 1823,<ref name="morse1823">{{Citation |last=Jedidiah Morse |title=A New Universal Gazetteer |year=1823 |chapter=Cape town |chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/newuniversalgaze00morsrich#page/150/mode/1up |edition=4th |place=New Haven |publisher=S. Converse |ol=7216242M |last2=Richard C. Morse |author-link=Jedidiah Morse}}</ref> 1833,<ref name="Martin 1836 113" /> 1936,<ref name="yearbook1936">{{Cite book |last=Malherbe |first=E.G. |title=Official Year Book of the Union of South Africa and of Basutoland, Bechuanaland Protectorate, and Swaziland |publisher=Union of South Africa |year=1939 |volume=20 |location=Pretoria |pages=1044}}</ref> 1950–1990,<ref name="Mongabay">{{Cite web |title=Population estimates for Cape Town, South Africa, 1950–2015 |url=http://books.mongabay.com/population_estimates/full/Cape_Town-South_Africa.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101061828/http://books.mongabay.com/population_estimates/full/Cape_Town-South_Africa.html |archive-date=1 November 2014 |access-date=23 July 2014 |publisher=Mongabay.com}}</ref> 1996,<ref name="CT1996">{{Cite web |title=Census 96 : Community Profile |url=https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/stats/1996census/Documents/Statistics%20South%20Africa%20Census%2096Community%20profile.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726110945/https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/stats/1996census/Documents/Statistics%20South%20Africa%20Census%2096Community%20profile.htm |archive-date=26 July 2014 |access-date=23 July 2014 |publisher=City of Cape Town}}</ref> 2001, and 2011 Census;<ref name="CT2011">{{Cite web |title=City of Cape Town – 2011 Census – Cape Town |url=https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/stats/Documents/2011%20Census/2011_Census_Cape_Town_Profile.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203001817/https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/stats/Documents/2011%20Census/2011_Census_Cape_Town_Profile.pdf |archive-date=3 December 2013 |access-date=23 July 2014 |publisher=City of Cape Town}}</ref>
2007,<ref name="CT2007">{{Cite web |last=Small, Karen |date=December 2008 |title=Demographic and Socio-economic Trends for Cape Town: 1996 to 2007 |url=https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/stats/CityReports/Documents/2007%20Community%20Survey%20Summary.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303193731/http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/stats/CityReports/Documents/2007%20Community%20Survey%20Summary.pdf |archive-date=3 March 2016 |access-date=23 July 2014 |publisher=City of Cape Town}}</ref> 2016 & 2021,<ref name="SOCT2022">{{Cite web |date=June 2023 |title=State of Cape Town Report 2022 |url=https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/City%20research%20reports%20and%20review/SOCT_Report_Summary_2022.pdf |access-date=13 May 2024 |publisher=City of Cape Town}}</ref> 2022<ref name="Census2022">{{Cite web |date=October 2023 |title=Census 2022: Cape Town Trends and Changes |url=https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/City%20research%20reports%20and%20review/Census_2022_Trends_and_Changes.pdf |access-date=13 May 2024 |publisher=City of Cape Town}}</ref> 2023, 2024, & 2025<ref name="Macrotrends-CapeTown2024">{{Cite web |title=Cape Town, South Africa Metro Area Population 1950–2025 |url=https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/cities/22481/cape-town/population |access-date=3 April 2025 |publisher=Macrotrends}}</ref>
}}
[[File:Cape Town population pyramid.svg|thumb|Cape Town population pyramid in 2011]]
[[File:Cape Town population density map.svg|thumb|Population density in Cape Town]]

According to the [[South African National Census of 2011]], the population of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality{{dash}}an area that includes suburbs and [[exurb]]s{{dash}}is 3,740,026 people. This represents an annual growth rate of 2.6% compared to the results of the [[South African National Census of 2001|previous census in 2001]] which found a population of 2,892,243 people.<ref name="wc-muni-report">{{Cite book |url=http://www.statssa.gov.za/census/census_2011/census_products/WC_Municipal_Report.pdf |title=Census 2011 Municipal report: Western Cape |publisher=Statistics South Africa |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-621-41459-2 |access-date=30 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151113165154/http://www.statssa.gov.za/census/census_2011/census_products/WC_Municipal_Report.pdf |archive-date=13 November 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{rp|54}}

Of those residents who were asked about their [[first language]], 35.7% spoke [[Afrikaans]], 29.8% spoke [[Xhosa language|Xhosa]] and 28.4% spoke [[South African English|English]]. 24.8% of the population is under the age of 15, while 5.5% is 65 or older.<ref name="wc-muni-report" />{{rp|64}} The [[Human sex ratio|sex ratio]] is 0.96, meaning that there are slightly more women than men.<ref name="wc-muni-report" />{{rp|55}}

Of those residents aged 20 or older, 1.8% have no schooling, 8.1% have some schooling but did not finish primary school, 4.6% finished primary school but have no secondary schooling, 38.9% have some secondary schooling but did not finish [[Grade 12]], 29.9% finished Grade 12 but have no higher education, and 16.7% have higher education.

Overall, 46.6% have at least a Grade 12 education.<ref name="wc-muni-report" />{{rp|74}} Of those aged between 5 and 25, 67.8% are attending an educational institution.<ref name="wc-muni-report" />{{rp|78}} Amongst those aged between 15 and 65 the unemployment rate is 23.7%.<ref name="wc-muni-report" />{{rp|79}} The average annual household income is [[South African rand|R]]161,762.<ref name="wc-muni-report" />{{rp|88}}

The total number of households grew from 653,085 in 1996 to 1,068,572 in 2011, which represents an increase of 63.6%.<ref name="wc-muni-report" />{{rp|81}} The average number of household members declined from 3,92 in 1996 to 3,50 in 2011.<ref name="Cape Town 2016">{{Cite book |url=https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/City%20research%20reports%20and%20review/16429%20COCT%20State%20of%20Cape%20Town%20Report%202016%20FINAL.pdf |title=State of Cape Town Report 2016 |year=2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118030745/http://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/City%20research%20reports%20and%20review/16429%20COCT%20State%20of%20Cape%20Town%20Report%202016%20FINAL.pdf |archive-date=18 January 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Of those households, 78.4% are in formal structures (houses or [[apartment|flats]]), while 20.5% are in informal structures ([[Shanty town|shacks]]).<ref name="wc-muni-report" />{{rp|81}}

97.3% of City-supplied households have access to electricity,<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 2019 |title=Progress with housing and power |url=https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms,%20notices,%20tariffs%20and%20lists/CityNews_49_Central.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005101313/https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms,%20notices,%20tariffs%20and%20lists/CityNews_49_Central.pdf |archive-date=5 October 2021 |access-date=9 August 2021 |work=City News}}</ref> and 94.0% of households use [[mains electricity|electricity]] for lighting.<ref name="wc-muni-report" />{{rp|84}} 87.3% of households have [[water supply|piped water]] to the dwelling, while 12.0% have piped water through a communal tap.<ref name="wc-muni-report" />{{rp|85}} 94.9% of households have regular [[refuse collection]] service.<ref name="wc-muni-report" />{{rp|86}}

91.4% of households have a [[flush toilet]] or [[chemical toilet]], while 4.5% still use a bucket toilet.<ref name="wc-muni-report" />{{rp|87}} 82.1% of households have a [[refrigerator]], 87.3% have a television and 70.1% have a radio. Only 34.0% have a landline telephone, but 91.3% have a cellphone. 37.9% have a computer, and 49.3% have access to the Internet (either through a computer or a cellphone).<ref name="wc-muni-report" />

In 2011 over 70% of cross provincial South African migrants coming into the Western Cape settled in Cape Town; 53.64% of South African migrants into the Western Cape came from the [[Eastern Cape]], the old Cape Colony's former native reserve, and 20.95% came from Gauteng province.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yu |first=Derek |date=20 January 2021 |title=South African internal migrants fare better in the job market in two regions |url=http://theconversation.com/south-african-internal-migrants-fare-better-in-the-job-market-in-two-regions-152786 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706182455/https://theconversation.com/south-african-internal-migrants-fare-better-in-the-job-market-in-two-regions-152786 |archive-date=6 July 2022 |access-date=5 June 2022 |website=The Conversation |language=en}}</ref>

According to the 2016 City of Cape Town community survey, there were 4,004,793 people in the City of Cape Town metro. Out of this population, 45.7% identified as Black African, 35.1% identified as Coloured, 16.2% identified as White and 1.6% identified as Asian.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2016 Cape Town Community Survey |url=https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Maps%20and%20statistics/2016%20Community%20Survey%20Cape%20Town%20Trends.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516090225/https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Maps%20and%20statistics/2016%20Community%20Survey%20Cape%20Town%20Trends.pdf |archive-date=16 May 2021}}</ref>

During the outbreak of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa]], local media reported that increasing numbers of wealthy and middle-class South Africans have started moving from inland areas to coastal regions of the country, most notably Cape Town, in a phenomenon referred to as "''semigration''" – short for "semi-emigration"<ref name="Staff Writer">{{Cite web |last=Staff Writer |title=More Gauteng residents are semigrating to the Western Cape – here's where they are moving to |url=https://businesstech.co.za/news/property/549054/more-gauteng-residents-are-semigrating-to-the-western-cape-heres-where-they-are-moving-to/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913201803/https://businesstech.co.za/news/property/549054/more-gauteng-residents-are-semigrating-to-the-western-cape-heres-where-they-are-moving-to/ |archive-date=13 September 2022 |access-date=23 January 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title='Joburg is in decline, and its professionals are moving – many to Cape Town' |url=https://www.capetalk.co.za/articles/419585/johannesburg-is-in-decline-and-its-professionals-are-moving-many-to-cape-town |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601174159/https://www.capetalk.co.za/articles/419585/johannesburg-is-in-decline-and-its-professionals-are-moving-many-to-cape-town |archive-date=1 June 2022 |access-date=23 January 2022 |website=CapeTalk |language=en-ZA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Buthelezi |first=Londiwe |title='City of Gold' sparkles no more – Joburg has become property sector's weakest link |url=https://www.news24.com/fin24/economy/south-africa/city-of-gold-sparkles-no-more-joburg-has-become-property-sectors-weakest-link-20210622 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708081157/https://www.news24.com//fin24/economy/south-africa/city-of-gold-sparkles-no-more-joburg-has-become-property-sectors-weakest-link-20210622 |archive-date=8 July 2022 |access-date=23 January 2022 |website=Fin24 |language=en-US}}</ref> Declining municipal services in the rest of the country and the [[South African energy crisis]] are other cited reasons for semigration.<ref>{{Citation |title=Alan Winde on booming Western Cape semigration – up another 20% this year to over 120k |publication-date=8 December 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX24kOPim4I |access-date=8 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208123801/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX24kOPim4I |archive-date=8 December 2022 |url-status=live |publisher=[[Biznews]] |language=en}}</ref>

In 2022, the city expected its population to grow by an additional 400,000 residents between 2020 and 2025 with 76% of those new residents falling into the low-income bracket earning less than {{Currency|13000|ZAR}} a month.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 May 2022 |title=Cape Town expects a population boom over the next five years – with changes planned for electricity supply |url=https://businesstech.co.za/news/property/591828/cape-town-expects-a-population-boom-over-the-next-five-years-with-changes-planned-for-electricity-supply/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617202726/https://businesstech.co.za/news/property/591828/cape-town-expects-a-population-boom-over-the-next-five-years-with-changes-planned-for-electricity-supply/ |archive-date=17 June 2022 |access-date=4 June 2022 |website=Businesstech.co.za |language=en-ZA}}</ref>

According to the United Nations' World Urbanization Prospects (2018), Cape Town's population is projected to continue growing steadily over the next decade. Based on estimates compiled by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs in 2018, the city's population is expected to reach approximately 5.468 million by 2030, and roughly 5.845 million by 2035.<ref name="UNWUP2018">{{Cite web |date=2018 |title=World Urbanization Prospects 2018: Population in Cities Classified by Size Class of Urban Settlement |url=https://population.un.org/wup/assets/Download/WUP2018-F17d-City_Size_Class-Population.xls |access-date=3 April 2025 |website=United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs |publisher=Population Division}}</ref>

=== Religion ===
{{See also|Religion in South Africa}}
[[File:00000-St Georges Cathedral-Cape Town-s.jpg|thumb|[[St. George's Cathedral, Cape Town|St George's Anglican Cathedral]] is one of the largest and oldest religious sites in the city.]]
In the 2015 General Household Survey 82.3% of respondents self identified as [[Christians|Christian]], 8% as [[Muslims|Muslim]], 3.8% as following a [[Traditional African religions|traditional African religion]] and 3.1% as "nothing in particular."<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Farrar |first=Thomas J. |last2=Falake |first2=Khanyisane A. |last3=Mebaley |first3=Adriel |last4=Moya |first4=Mandisi D. |last5=Rudolph |first5=Ivor I. |date=2019 |title=A Mall Intercept Survey on Religion and Worldview in the Cape Flats of Cape Town, South Africa |journal=Journal for the Study of Religion |volume=32 |issue=1 |pages=1–30 |doi=10.17159/2413-3027/2019/v32n1a3 |doi-broken-date=2 December 2024 |issn=1011-7601 |s2cid=202175851 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

Most [[places of worship]] in the city are Christian churches and cathedrals: [[Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa (NGK)]], [[Zion Christian Church]], [[Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa]], [[Assemblies of God]], [[Baptist Union of Southern Africa]] (Baptist World Alliance), [[Methodist Church of Southern Africa]] (World Methodist Council), [[Anglican Church of Southern Africa]] (Anglican Communion), [[Presbyterian Church of Africa]] (World Communion of Reformed Churches), [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cape Town]] (Catholic Church),<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=South Africa |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/South-Africa |access-date=7 July 2019 |edition=Online |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629053318/https://www.britannica.com/place/South-Africa |archive-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> the [[Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria|Orthodox Archbishopric of Good Hope]] ([[Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St George]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=Greek Orthodox Archbishopric website |url=http://www.goarch.co.za/our-churches/cape-town/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125070624/http://www.goarch.co.za/our-churches/cape-town/ |archive-date=25 January 2022 |access-date=26 June 2022}}</ref> and [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Africa South Area |url=https://africasouth.churchofjesuschrist.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519182810/https://africasouth.churchofjesuschrist.org/ |archive-date=19 May 2022 |access-date=16 May 2022 |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}</ref>

[[Islam]] is the city's second largest religion with a [[Islam in South Africa|long history in Cape Town]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=tinashe |date=13 January 2012 |title=History of Muslims in South Africa: 1652 – 1699 by Ebrahim Mahomed Mahida |url=https://www.sahistory.org.za/archive/history-muslims-south-africa-1652-1699-ebrahim-mahomed-mahida |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110211316/http://www.sahistory.org.za/archive/history-muslims-south-africa-1652-1699-ebrahim-mahomed-mahida |archive-date=10 January 2019 |access-date=23 August 2019 |website=South African History Online}}</ref> resulting in a number of mosques and other Muslim religious sites spread across the city,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mosques – Cape Town Muslims |url=https://capetownmuslims.co.za/directory/directory-category/mosques/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121193724/http://capetownmuslims.co.za/directory/directory-category/mosques/ |archive-date=21 January 2019 |access-date=23 August 2019 |website=capetownmuslims.co.za}}</ref> such as the [[Auwal Mosque]], South Africa's first mosque.

Cape Town's significant [[History of the Jews in South Africa|Jewish population]] supports a number of synagogues most notably the historic [[Gardens Shul]], the oldest Jewish congregation in South Africa.<ref name="forward">[https://forward.com/news/175662/cape-towns-jewish-history-on-display/ Cape Town's Jewish History on Display] ''Forward''. 29 April 2013</ref> [[Marais Road Shul]] in the city's Jewish hub, [[Sea Point]], is the largest Jewish congregation in South Africa.<ref>[https://www.jta.org/archive/mandela-visits-cape-town-shul-and-reassures-jews-on-their-future Mandela Visits Cape Town Shul and Reassures Jews on Their Future] Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 10 May 1994</ref> [[Temple Israel (Cape Town)|Temple Israel]] (Cape Town Progressive Jewish Congregation) also has three temples in the city.<ref>[http://saupj.org.za/congregations/ Congregations] South African Union for Progressive Judaism. Accessed on 6 December 2019</ref> There is also a [[Chabad]] centre in Sea Point and a [[Chabad on Campus International Foundation|Chabad on Campus]] at the [[University of Cape Town]], catering to Jewish students.<ref>[https://cjc.org.za/2015/12/01/a-first-for-cape-town/ A first for Cape Town] ''Cape Jewish Chronicle''. 1 December 2015</ref>

Other religious sites in the city include [[Hindu]] and [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] temples and centres.<ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Gajjar |first=Neerali |title="A Tale of Two Temples": An Exploration of Caste in Cape Town |date=2016 |degree=MA |publisher=University of the Witwatersrand}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Dessì |first=Ugo |date=2 September 2022 |title=Trajectories of East Asian Buddhism in South Africa: a comparative perspective |journal=Journal of Contemporary Religion |volume=37 |issue=3 |pages=435–455 |doi=10.1080/13537903.2022.2124684 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

=== Crime ===
[[File:Smash and Grab Hot Spot, Retreat (South Africa).jpg|thumb|Sign warning motorists about the prevalence of [[Smash and grab]] incidents at a crime Hot Spot on the [[M5 (Cape Town)|M5 freeway]], between [[Grassy Park]] and [[Retreat, Cape Town|Retreat]]]]

In recent years, Cape Town has experienced a resurgence in violent crime, particularly driven by gang violence in areas like the [[Cape Flats]]. This increase in violence is attributed to various factors including [[economic inequality]] (which can be linked to the legacy of [[apartheid|apartheid's]] spatial and social divisions), [[unemployment]], [[alcohol abuse]], the prevalence of illegal [[firearms]]], a lack of rehabilitation and support services for offenders leading to [[recidivism]], a lack of community safety organizations.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Dana |first=Joseph |date=22 August 2019 |title=Rising crime in post-apartheid South Africa speaks to a legacy of stark inequalities |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comment/rising-crime-in-post-apartheid-south-africa-speaks-to-a-legacy-of-stark-inequalities-1.901347 |access-date=4 June 2024 |website=The National |language=en}}</ref><ref name= "Violent crime in South Africa happens mostly in a few hotspots: police resources should focus there – criminologist">{{cite web|url= https://theconversation.com/violent-crime-in-south-africa-happens-mostly-in-a-few-hotspots-police-resources-should-focus-there-criminologist-248233 |title= Violent crime in South Africa happens mostly in a few hotspots: police resources should focus there – criminologist |author= Guy Lamb |publisher= The Conversation |date= 5 February 2025 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref>

Crime in Cape Town is a serious problem which affects the [[quality of life]] and safety of its residents and visitors. Between 2022 and 2023, Cape Town recorded the highest number of murders in a single year of any city in the world at 2,998, followed by [[Johannesburg]] and [[Durban]], an increase of 8.6% year-on-year.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 August 2023 |title=These 3 South African cities now rank among the 20 most violent in the world |url=https://businesstech.co.za/news/lifestyle/712786/these-3-south-african-cities-now-rank-among-the-20-most-violent-in-the-world/ |access-date=4 June 2024 |work=[[BusinessTech]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McCain |first=Nicole |date=22 February 2024 |title=Western Cape murders climb by almost 9% |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/western-cape-murders-climb-by-almost-9-20240222 |access-date=4 June 2024 |website=[[News24 (website)|News24]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Household crimes including [[burglary]] also increased in the same period.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Chris |date=14 November 2023 |title=Tourists to South Africa warned about 'smash and grab' attacks |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/tourists-south-africa-smash-grab-attacks-b2446874.html |access-date=4 June 2024 |work=[[The Independent]] |language=en}}</ref> [[Mexico]]'s Citizen Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice ranks it among the most violent cities in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCain |first=Nicole |title=Cape Town ranks top in SA as one of 50 most violent cities in the world |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/cape-town-ranks-top-in-sa-as-one-of-50-most-violent-cities-in-the-world-20220326 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401051723/https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/cape-town-ranks-top-in-sa-as-one-of-50-most-violent-cities-in-the-world-20220326 |archive-date=1 April 2022 |access-date=7 April 2022 |website=[[News24 (website)|News24]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

While the [[Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office|UK Foreign Office]] considers Cape Town safe to travel to, it notes the extremely high crime rates and highlights a particular increase on violent attacks and murders on the roads to and from [[Cape Town International Airport]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Xie |first=Qin |last2=Richardson |first2=Heather |date=4 June 2024 |title=Is it safe to travel to South Africa? Latest travel advice |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/africa-travel/south-africa/is-it-safe-to-travel-to-south-africa-jdkm5zmhj |access-date=4 June 2024 |website=[[The Times]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Safety and security – South Africa travel advice |url=https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa/safety-and-security |access-date=4 June 2024 |website=[[Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office]] |language=en}}</ref>

As with other major metropolitan areas in South Africa, the majority of crime in Cape Town tends to be concentrated in very specific areas, indicating the potential success of place-based crime intelligence methods.<ref name= "Violent crime in South Africa happens mostly in a few hotspots: police resources should focus there – criminologist"></ref> In Cape Town, a lot of the crime that occurs takes place in the neighborhoods of Philippi East, Delft, Nyanga, Mfuleni, Gugulethu, Elsies River, Bishop Lavis, Kleinvlei, and Mitchell's Plain, which are best avoided (even during transit) by tourists and locals alike.<ref name= "Crime stats: Murder down nearly 10%, but an average of 75 people killed daily">{{cite web|url= https://www.news24.com/southafrica/news/crime-stats-murder-down-nearly-10-but-an-average-of-75-people-killed-daily-20250221 |title= Crime stats: Murder down nearly 10%, but an average of 75 people killed daily |author= Alex Mitchley |publisher= news24 |date= 21 February 2025 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref>

In early 2025, the City of Cape Town announced that progress had been made in combatting crime, with crime levels in certain notorious areas decreasing, according to statistics based on community reporting of incidents of crime. Daily patrol officers were complimented for their efforts, and the City said it was working closely with the [[Western Cape Government]] and the [[South African Police Service]] to adjust its law enforcement efforts according to changes in the city's crime statistics.<ref name= "Cape Town police stations lead in SA murder statistics">{{cite web|url= https://capetimes.co.za/news/2024-11-26-cape-town-police-stations-lead-in-sa-murder-statistics/ |title= Cape Town police stations lead in SA murder statistics |author= Nicola Daniels |publisher= Cape Times |date= 2025 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref>

Despite the crime levels, the city's [[economy]] has grown, as a result of good governance, investments in infrastructure, and an attractive business environment, as well as due to growth in the local [[tourism]] and [[real estate]] industries.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Report: South Africa 2008 |publisher=Oxford Business Group |isbn=978-1-9023-3979-5 |editor-last=Jeffreys |editor-first=Andrew |page=159 |chapter=Caps off to the Western Cape |access-date=23 July 2019 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ikir7xF70_4C&pg=PA159 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427000105/https://books.google.com/books?id=ikir7xF70_4C&pg=PA159 |archive-date=27 April 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Since July 2019 widespread violent crime in poorer [[Gangs in South Africa|gang dominated]] areas of greater Cape Town has resulted in an ongoing military presence in these neighbourhoods.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-48962265 "South Africa Deploys Army to Gang-Hit Cape Town"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909084333/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-48962265|date=9 September 2019}} (12 July 2019). ''[[BBC News]]''. Retrieved 17 April 2020.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Baby Archie Begin First Official Tour as a Royal Family in Cape Town |url=https://time.com/5684069/prince-harry-meghan-begin-africa-tour/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923170009/https://time.com/5684069/prince-harry-meghan-begin-africa-tour/ |archive-date=23 September 2019 |access-date=24 September 2019}}</ref>

The minibus taxi industry has been the source of a number of [[Taxi wars in South Africa|violent confrontations]] in the city. The northern and eastern sections of the city was the scene of the [[2021 Cape Town taxi conflict]], a violent turf war which led to 83 deaths. The [[2023 Cape Town taxi strike]] resulted in 5 recorded deaths.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Muller-Heyndyk |first=Rachel |date=9 August 2023 |title=British doctor murdered amid Cape Town taxi protests after 'taking wrong turn' |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/world/british-doctor-murdered-cape-town-protests-2535839 |access-date=4 June 2024 |website=[[The i Paper]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Boynton |first=Graham |date=10 August 2023 |title='This week's murder of a British tourist in Cape Town came as no surprise to me' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/africa/south-africa/cape-town/cape-town-south-africa-uk-tourist-murder-how-stay-safe/ |access-date=4 June 2024 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>

In 2025, Cape Town's Mayoral Committee Member (MCM) for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said that the expanded use of digital tools to complement law enforcement efforts has become part of the city's public safety operations. These tools include a vast network of CCTV cameras and drones, which have already proven successful in assisting with both arrests and prosecution.<ref name= "Large South African city using cameras and drones to stop crime">{{cite web|url= https://mybroadband.co.za/news/government/594689-large-south-african-city-using-cameras-and-drones-to-stop-crime.html |title= Large South African city using cameras and drones to stop crime |author= Daniel Puchert |publisher= MyBroadband |date= 14 May 2025 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref>

== Economy ==
{{see also|Economy of the Western Cape}}
{| class="toc" style="float:right; font-size:90%; text-align:center; margin:1em;"
|-
| colspan="6" style="background:#afa;" | '''Top publicly traded companies<br />in the Cape Town/Stellenbosch<br />region for 2021'''<br />(ranked by market capitalisation)<br />''with Metropolitan and [[Johannesburg Stock Exchange|JSE]] ranks''
|- style="background:#ccc;"
|| '''Metro'''|||| style="background:#ccc;" | '''corporation'''|||| style="background:#ccc;" | '''JSE'''
|-
| 1|||| |[[Naspers]]||||4
|-
| 2|||||[[Capitec]]|||||14
|-
| 3|||| |[[Sanlam]]||||20
|-
| 4|||||[[Shoprite (retailer)|Shoprite]]||||24
|-
| 5||||[[Pepkor]]||||30
|-
| 6||||[[New Clicks Holdings Limited|Clicks]]||||32
|-
| 7|||| |[[Woolworths (South Africa)|Woolworths]]||||35
|-
| 8|||||[[Remgro]]||||37
|-
| colspan="5"|'''Source:''' ''JSE top 40''<ref>{{Cite web |title=JSE top 40 |url=https://sashares.co.za/jse-top-40/#gs.adg1tc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228070902/https://sashares.co.za/jse-top-40/#gs.adg1tc |archive-date=28 February 2018 |access-date=1 September 2021 |website=SAshares.co.za}}</ref>
|}
Cape Town is [[South Africa]]'s second main economic centre and [[Africa]]'s third main economic hub city. It serves as the regional manufacturing centre in the Western Cape. In 2019, the city's [[Gross metropolitan product|GMP]] of R489 billion<ref name="Cape Town 2020">{{Cite web |date=June 2021 |title=State of Cape Town Report 2020 |url=https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/City%20research%20reports%20and%20review/State_of_Cape_Town_Report_2020.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222152234/https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/City%20research%20reports%20and%20review/State_of_Cape_Town_Report_2020.pdf |archive-date=22 February 2022 |access-date=22 February 2022 |website=City of Cape Town |language=en}}</ref> (US$33.04 billion)<ref name="SARS 2019">{{Cite web |title=Sars Rates Of Exchange |url=https://tools.sars.gov.za/rex/Rates/MultipleDefault.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222105417/https://tools.sars.gov.za/rex/Rates/MultipleDefault.aspx |archive-date=22 February 2022 |access-date=22 February 2022 |website=tools.sars.gov.za |quote=US$-ZAR exchange rate for 1 July 2019}}</ref> represented 71.1% of the Western Cape's total [[Gross regional domestic product|GRP]] and 9.6% of South Africa's total GDP;<ref name="Cape Town 2020" /> the city also accounted for 11.1%<ref name="Cape Town 2020" /> of all employed people in the country and had a citywide [[GDP per capita]] of R111,364<ref name="Cape Town 2020" /> (US$7,524).<ref name="SARS 2019" />

Since the [[Great Recession]], the city's economic growth rate has mirrored South Africa's decline in growth; the population growth rate for the city has remained steady at around 2% a year.<ref name="Cape Town 2020" /> Around 80% of the city's economic activity is generated by the [[Tertiary sector of the economy|tertiary sector]] of the economy with the finance, retail, real-estate, food and beverage industries being the four largest contributors to the city's economic growth rate.<ref name="Cape Town 2020" />

In 2008, the city was considered the most entrepreneurial city in South Africa, with the percentage of Capetonians pursuing business opportunities almost three times higher than the national average. Capetonians aged between 18 and 64 were 190% more likely to pursue new business, whilst in Johannesburg, the same demographic group was only 60% more likely than the national average to pursue a new business.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 September 2008 |title=Cape Town breeds entrepreneurs: Fin24: Business |url=http://www.fin24.com/articles/default/display_article.aspx?Nav=ns&ArticleID=1518-1786_2389511 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126202204/http://www.fin24.com/articles/default/display_article.aspx?Nav=ns&ArticleID=1518-1786_2389511 |archive-date=26 January 2009 |access-date=1 October 2011 |publisher=Fin24}}</ref>

With the highest number of successful [[information technology]] companies in Africa, Cape Town is an important centre for the industry on the continent.<ref name="IT leads">{{Cite web |date=27 March 2007 |title=Cape Town Leads In Information Technology |url=http://www.westerncape.gov.za/eng/pubs/news/2007/mar/154622 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729151102/http://www.westerncape.gov.za/eng/pubs/news/2007/mar/154622 |archive-date=29 July 2012 |access-date=24 February 2014}}</ref> This includes an increasing number of companies in the [[space industry]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oni |first=David |date=15 June 2021 |title=Cape Town Startups Stake their Claim in the Small Satellite Industry |url=https://africanews.space/cape-town-startups-stake-their-claim-in-the-small-satellite-industry/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827132445/https://africanews.space/cape-town-startups-stake-their-claim-in-the-small-satellite-industry/ |archive-date=27 August 2022 |access-date=4 August 2022 |website=Space in Africa |language=en-US}}</ref> Growing at an annual rate of 8.5% and an estimated worth of R77{{spaces}}billion in 2010, nationwide the high tech industry in Cape Town is becoming increasingly important to the city's economy.<ref name="IT leads" /> A number of entrepreneurial initiatives and universities hosting technology startups such as [[Jumo]], Yoco, Aerobotics, Luno, [[Rain (telecommunications)|Rain]] telecommunication and The Sun Exchange are located in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 December 2018 |title=Eight SA startups to look out for in 2019 |url=https://ventureburn.com/2018/12/eight-sa-startups-to-watch-in-2019/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829172645/https://ventureburn.com/2018/12/eight-sa-startups-to-watch-in-2019/ |archive-date=29 August 2019 |access-date=19 January 2020 |website=Venture Burn}}</ref>
[[File:2018-07-20 View from Wikicite meetup at Wikimania (6).jpg|thumb|Skyscrapers in [[City Bowl]]]]

The city has the largest film industry in the [[Southern Hemisphere]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cape Town Film Industry {{!}} IE3 Global |url=https://ie3global.org/internship/cape-town-film-industry/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119070259/https://ie3global.org/internship/cape-town-film-industry/ |archive-date=19 January 2022 |access-date=31 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref> generating R5 billion (US$476.19 million) in revenue and providing an estimated 6,058 direct and 2,502 indirect jobs in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Asad and Searching for Sugarman Have Done Us Proud |url=https://www.westerncape.gov.za/news/asad-and-searching-sugarman-have-done-us-proud |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627221007/https://www.westerncape.gov.za/news/asad-and-searching-sugarman-have-done-us-proud |archive-date=27 June 2022 |access-date=31 March 2022 |website=Western Cape Government |language=en}}</ref> Much of the industry is based out of the [[Cape Town Film Studios]].

As of 2024, Cape Town's labor force consists of 1.1 million workers. The largest sector in Cape Town is the professional and business services industry, which accounts for 29.61% of the city's workforce.

Within this sector, the professional, scientific, and technical services industry accounts for 23.34% (about 254,600 people) of the city's employment, which is the highest of any other industry.

The construction industry is the second-largest by number of employees, as it accounts for 9.29% (around 101,300 people) of the city's employment. The manufacturing sector, the second largest sector, also accounts for a large part of the city's employment opportunities as it provides 18.15% of the city's employment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Metroverse {{!}} Harvard Growth Lab |url=https://metroverse.cid.harvard.edu/city/3268/economic-composition |access-date=3 April 2025 |website=metroverse.cid.harvard.edu |language=en}}</ref>

Cape Town has significantly above-average economic performance amongst its South African metropolitan peers. In 2025, according to [[Statistics South Africa]] (Stats SA), Cape Town had the lowest unemployment rate out of all South African cities. Whereas unemployment increased in some cities across the country, in Cape Town, employment increased, with the city diverging from a national trend and adding 86,000 jobs. The [[Mayor of Cape Town]] attributed this growth to good governance and [[infrastructure]] investments, creating an attractive [[business]] environment and an increase in [[tourism]].<ref name= "Cape Town Deviates from National Labour Trends">{{cite web|url= https://www.enca.com/business-videos/discussion-cape-town-deviates-national-labour-trends |title= Cape Town Deviates from National Labour Trends |author= |publisher= eNCA |date= 14 May 2025 |access-date= 14 May 2025 }}</ref>

=== Major companies ===
[[File:Naspers Media24 building.jpg|thumb|The [[Naspers Centre]] is the headquarters of [[Naspers]], the largest listed company headquartered in Cape Town.]]
Cape Town is home to the headquarters of many of South Africa's largest companies, across a variety of industries. One major industry is [[retail]], with the city housing the headquarters of 9 of South Africa's major retail companies, including most of its largest [[supermarket]] chains. Another major industry for the city is [[technology company|tech]], with Cape Town being considered South Africa's tech hub. Other industries include insurance, publishing, design, fashion, shipping, petrochemicals, architecture, advertising, real estate, and tourism.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Economic Development |url=https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/ehd/Pages/EconomicStatistics.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116103224/https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/ehd/Pages/EconomicStatistics.aspx |archive-date=16 January 2014 |access-date=15 January 2014 |website=City of Cape Town: Economic Statistics |publisher=City of Cape Town}}</ref>

Some of the most notable companies headquartered in the city are [[food]] and [[fashion]] retailer [[Woolworths (South Africa)|Woolworths]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Media Contact |url=http://www.woolworthsholdings.co.za/media/media_contact.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102160839/http://www.woolworthsholdings.co.za/media/media_contact.asp |archive-date=2 January 2014 |access-date=15 January 2014 |website=Woolworths |publisher=Woolworths Holdings Limited}}</ref> major [[supermarket]] chains [[Pick n Pay]], [[Checkers (supermarket chain)|Checkers]], and [[Shoprite (South Africa)|Shoprite]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=EMIS |title=Pick n Pay Holdings Ltd |url=http://www.securities.com/Public/company-profile/ZA/PICK_N_PAY_HOLDINGS_LIMITED_en_2038423.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417092442/http://www.securities.com/Public/company-profile/ZA/Pick_n_Pay_Holdings_Limited_en_2038423.html |archive-date=17 April 2014 |access-date=15 January 2014 |website=Emerging Markets Information Service |publisher=EMIS}},</ref> healthcare and personal care retail chain [[Clicks (South Africa)|Clicks]], fashion retailers [[Pepkor]], [[Ackermans]], [[Truworths]], and [[Foschini Group]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Contact Us |url=http://www.foschini.co.za/foschini/content/en/foschini-contact-us |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116113904/http://www.foschini.co.za/foschini/content/en/foschini-contact-us |archive-date=16 January 2014 |access-date=15 January 2014 |website=Foshini Group |publisher=Foschini}}</ref> internet service provider [[MWEB]], [[Mediclinic Group]], [[Etv (South Africa)|eTV]], multinational [[mass media]] giant [[Naspers]], major [[financial services]] organizations [[Sanlam]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who We Are |url=http://www.sanlam.co.za/wps/wcm/connect/sanlam_en/sanlam/about+sanlam/who+we+are |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116114758/http://www.sanlam.co.za/wps/wcm/connect/sanlam_en/sanlam/about%2Bsanlam/who%2Bwe%2Bare |archive-date=16 January 2014 |access-date=15 January 2014 |website=Sanlam}}</ref> [[Old Mutual|Old Mutual Park]],<ref name="OM_history">{{Cite web |title=Old Mutual History |url=https://www.oldmutual.com/about/175-birthday/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517103515/https://www.oldmutual.com/about/175-birthday/ |archive-date=17 May 2022 |access-date=18 April 2011 |publisher=Oldmutual.com}}</ref> [[Allan Gray (investment management company)|Allan Gray]], [[Coronation Fund Managers|Coronation]], airline [[LIFT (airline)|LIFT]], major [[real estate]] company [[Pam Golding Property Group|Pam Golding]], South Africa's largest [[e-commerce]] company, [[Takealot.com|Takealot]], and the country's largest fuel company, [[Engen Petroleum]].

Other notable companies include [[Stodels]], [[Travelstart]], [[Wootware]], [[Xneelo]], [[Yuppiechef]], [[Belron]], [[Ceres Fruit Juices]], [[Coronation Fund Managers]], [[Vida e Caffè]], and [[Capitec Bank]]. The city is a manufacturing base for several multinational companies including, [[Johnson & Johnson]], [[GlaxoSmithKline]], [[Levi Strauss & Co.]], [[Adidas]], [[Bokomo|Bokomo Foods]], [[Yoco]], and [[Nampak]].{{citation needed|date=May 2019}} [[Amazon Web Services]] maintains one of its largest facilities in the world in Cape Town, with the city serving as the Africa headquarters for its parent company, [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff Writer |title=Amazon to set up South African headquarters in R4 billion Cape Town development |url=https://businesstech.co.za/news/cloud-hosting/484385/amazon-to-set-up-south-african-headquarters-in-r4-billion-cape-town-development/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420082022/https://businesstech.co.za/news/cloud-hosting/484385/amazon-to-set-up-south-african-headquarters-in-r4-billion-cape-town-development/ |archive-date=20 April 2021 |access-date=1 September 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Amazon to set up African headquarters in Cape Town |url=https://www.iol.co.za/technology/software-and-internet/amazon-to-set-up-african-headquarters-in-cape-town-ccb9564b-cbe6-4f56-9c53-809ddb5dfcab |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421133659/https://www.iol.co.za/technology/software-and-internet/amazon-to-set-up-african-headquarters-in-cape-town-ccb9564b-cbe6-4f56-9c53-809ddb5dfcab |archive-date=21 April 2021 |access-date=1 September 2021 |website=iol.co.za |language=en}}</ref>

=== Inequality ===
The city of Cape Town's [[Gini coefficient]] of 0.58<ref>{{Cite web |last=Western Cape Government |date=2017 |title=SEP Socio-Economic Profile: City of Cape Town |url=https://www.westerncape.gov.za/assets/departments/treasury/Documents/Socio-economic-profiles/2017/city_of_cape_town_2017_socio-economic_profile_sep-lg_-_26_january_2018.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216153612/https://www.westerncape.gov.za/assets/departments/treasury/Documents/Socio-economic-profiles/2017/city_of_cape_town_2017_socio-economic_profile_sep-lg_-_26_january_2018.pdf |archive-date=16 February 2019 |access-date=16 February 2019 |website=westerncape.gov.za}}</ref> is lower than South Africa's Gini coefficient of 0.7. This makes it more equal than the rest of the country, including any other major South African city, although still highly unequal by international standards.<ref name="IOL inequality">{{Cite web |date=4 December 2012 |title=Cape Town least unequal SA city – Politics &#124; IOL News |url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/cape-town-least-unequal-sa-city-1.1435199 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112205522/http://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/cape-town-least-unequal-sa-city-1.1435199#.UjdA9KwazCR |archive-date=12 January 2014 |access-date=24 February 2014 |publisher=IOL.co.za}}</ref><ref name="Geni2000">{{Cite web |date=August 2005 |title=A profile of the Western Cape province: Demographics, poverty, inequality and unemployment |url=http://www.elsenburg.com/provide/documents/BP2005_1_1%20Demographics%20WC.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624163440/http://elsenburg.com/provide/documents/BP2005_1_1%20Demographics%20WC.pdf |archive-date=24 June 2011 |access-date=30 January 2012 |publisher=Elsenburg}}</ref>

Between 2001 and 2010 the city's Gini coefficient, a measure of inequality, improved by dropping from 0.59 in 2007 to 0.57 in 2010<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=Regional Development Profile – City of Cape Town |url=https://www.westerncape.gov.za/text/2011/12/dc0_city_of_cape_town_15_dec_2011_(mb).pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616203157/https://www.westerncape.gov.za/Text/2011/12/dc0_city_of_cape_town_15_dec_2011_(mb).pdf |archive-date=16 June 2022 |access-date=4 June 2022 |website=Western Cape Government |page=23}}</ref> only to increase to 0.58 by 2017.<ref name="Socio-economic profile">{{Cite web |last=Western Cape Government |date=2017 |title=SEP Socio-Economic Profile: City of Cape Town |url=https://www.westerncape.gov.za/assets/departments/treasury/Documents/Socio-economic-profiles/2017/city_of_cape_town_2017_socio-economic_profile_sep-lg_-_26_january_2018.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216153612/https://www.westerncape.gov.za/assets/departments/treasury/Documents/Socio-economic-profiles/2017/city_of_cape_town_2017_socio-economic_profile_sep-lg_-_26_january_2018.pdf |archive-date=16 February 2019 |website=westerncape.gov.za}}</ref>

=== Tourism ===
[[File:Clifton Beachs.jpg|thumb|[[Clifton, Cape Town|Clifton Beach]] is one of Cape Town's most famous beaches]]
[[File:Ciudad del Cabo, Kirstenbosch NBG 29.jpg|thumb|[[Table Mountain]] from the [[Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden]]]]
[[File:Boulders Beach 2019 2.jpg|thumb|[[African penguin]]s at [[Boulders Beach|Boulders Penguin Colony]]]]

The Western Cape is a highly important tourist region in South Africa; the tourism industry accounts for 9.8% of the GDP of the province and employs 9.6% of the province's workforce. In 2010, over 1.5{{spaces}}million international tourists visited the area.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://www.capetownroutesunlimited.org/ctru/action/media/downloadFile?media_fileid=18219 |title=Annual Report 2010 |publisher=Cape Town Routes Unlimited |isbn=0-621-35496-1 |format=PDF |access-date=3 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110915071746/http://www.capetownroutesunlimited.org/ctru/action/media/downloadFile?media_fileid=18219 |archive-date=15 September 2011 |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>

Cape Town is not only a popular international tourist destination in [[South Africa]], but [[Africa]] as a whole. This is due to its mild climate, natural setting, costal geography and well-developed infrastructure.

The city has several well-known natural features that attract tourists, most notably [[Table Mountain]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Table Mountain Aerial Cableway |url=http://www.thecape.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218093401/http://thecape.org/ |archive-date=18 December 2014 |access-date=21 April 2008}}</ref> which forms a large part of the [[Table Mountain National Park]] and is the back end of the [[City Bowl, Cape Town|City Bowl]]. Reaching the top of the mountain can be achieved either by hiking up, or by taking the [[Table Mountain Cableway]]. [[Cape Point]] is the dramatic headland at the end of the [[Cape Peninsula]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cape Point |url=http://www.capepoint.co.za |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928071905/http://www.capepoint.co.za/ |archive-date=28 September 2011 |access-date=1 October 2011 |publisher=Cape Point}}</ref>

Many tourists also drive along [[Chapman's Peak|Chapman's Peak Drive]], a narrow road that links [[Noordhoek, Cape Town|Noordhoek]] with [[Hout Bay, Cape Town|Hout Bay]], for the views of the Atlantic Ocean and nearby mountains. It is possible to either drive or hike up [[Signal Hill (Cape Town)|Signal Hill]] for closer views of the City Bowl and Table Mountain.<ref>"[https://www.vibescout.com/za/post/botanical-gardens South Africa National Botanical Gardens] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006211524/https://www.vibescout.com/za/post/botanical-gardens |date=6 October 2017}}" .Vibescout.com. Retrieved 4 October 2017</ref>

Many tourists also visit [[Beaches of Cape Town|Cape Town's beaches]], which are popular with local residents.<ref name="CTbeaches">{{Cite web |title=Beaches, Cape Town, South Africa |url=http://www.safarinow.com/destinations/cape-town/places.aspx?tid=2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903214936/http://www.safarinow.com/destinations/cape-town/places.aspx?tid=2 |archive-date=3 September 2015 |access-date=1 October 2011 |publisher=Safarinow.com}}</ref> It is possible to visit several different beaches in the same day, each with a different setting and atmosphere.
Both coasts are popular, although the beaches in affluent [[Clifton, Cape Town|Clifton]] and elsewhere on the Atlantic Coast are better developed with restaurants and cafés, with a strip of restaurants and bars accessible to the beach at [[Camps Bay]].

The Atlantic seaboard, known as Cape Town's [[Riviera]], is regarded as one of the most scenic routes in South Africa; along the slopes of the Twelve Apostles to the boulders and white sand beaches of [[Llandudno, Cape Town|Llandudno]], with the route ending in [[Hout Bay]], a diverse suburb with a fishing and recreational boating harbour near a small island with a breeding colony of African fur seals.

This suburb is also accessible by road from the Constantia valley over the mountains to the northeast, and via the picturesque [[Chapman's Peak]] drive from the residential suburb Noordhoek in the Fish Hoek valley to the south-east.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cape Town: Chapman's Peak Drive |url=https://www.excessodebagagem.com.br/o-que-fazer-em-cape-town-principais-pontos-turisticos/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727061636/https://www.excessodebagagem.com.br/o-que-fazer-em-cape-town-principais-pontos-turisticos/ |archive-date=27 July 2020 |access-date=26 July 2020}}</ref> [[Boulders Beach]] near [[Simon's Town]] is known for its colony of [[African penguin]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The African Penguin |url=http://www.simonstown.com/tourism/penguins/penguins.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102120851/http://simonstown.com/tourism/penguins/penguins.htm |archive-date=2 November 2013 |access-date=24 February 2014 |publisher=Simonstown.com}}</ref>

The city has several notable cultural attractions. The [[Victoria & Alfred Waterfront]], built on top of part of the [[dock (maritime)|docks]] of the Port of Cape Town, is the city's most visited tourist attraction. It is also one of the city's most popular shopping venues, with several hundred shops as well as the [[Two Oceans Aquarium]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=V&A Waterfront |url=http://www.waterfront.co.za/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109225059/http://www.waterfront.co.za/ |archive-date=9 November 2013 |access-date=1 October 2011 |publisher=Waterfront.co.za}}</ref><ref name="Sinclair 2011">{{Cite web |last=Ingrid Sinclair |date=30 September 2011 |title=Two Oceans Aquarium Cape Town, South Africa |url=http://www.aquarium.co.za |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928234331/http://www.aquarium.co.za/ |archive-date=28 September 2011 |access-date=1 October 2011 |publisher=Aquarium.co.za}}</ref>

The V&A also hosts the Nelson Mandela Gateway, through which [[ferry|ferries]] depart for [[Robben Island]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 May 2011 |title=Robben Island Museum |url=http://www.robben-island.org.za |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004093643/http://info@robben-island.org.za/ |archive-date=4 October 2011 |access-date=1 October 2011 |publisher=Robben-island.org.za}}</ref> It is possible to take a ferry from the V&A to [[Hout Bay, Cape Town|Hout Bay]], [[Simon's Town, Cape Town|Simon's Town]] and the [[Cape fur seal]] colonies on Seal and Duiker Islands. Several companies offer tours of the [[Cape Flats]], a region of mostly Coloured & Black [[Township (South Africa)|townships]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Table Mountain Hoerikwaggo Hiking Trail Cape Town |url=https://www.capetownmagazine.com/table-mountain-aint-no-mountain-high-enough/0_22_35 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210212638/http://www.capetownmagazine.com/todonight/Western-Cape/Townships/Township-BaBs-Discover-what-true-African-hospitality-is-all-about~11 |archive-date=10 February 2010 |website=www.capetownmagazine.com |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Within the metropolitan area, the most popular areas for visitors to stay include Camps Bay, [[Sea Point]], the [[Victoria & Alfred Waterfront|V&A Waterfront]], the [[City Bowl, Cape Town|City Bowl]], [[Hout Bay]], [[Constantia, Cape Town|Constantia]], [[Rondebosch]], [[Newlands, Cape Town|Newlands]], and [[Somerset West]].<ref name="CTtourismstats">{{Cite web |title=Cape Town Tourism Statistics |url=http://www.capetown-direct.com/article/cape-town-tourism-statistics |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061107151526/http://www.capetown-direct.com/article/cape-town-tourism-statistics |archive-date=7 November 2006 |publisher=Cape Town Direct}}</ref> In November 2013, Cape Town was voted the best global city in ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'s'' annual Travel Awards.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 November 2013 |title=Telegraph Travel Awards 2013: Favourite cities |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/10476790/Telegraph-Travel-Awards-2013-Favourite-cities.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202182330/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/10476790/Telegraph-Travel-Awards-2013-Favourite-cities.html |archive-date=2 December 2013 |access-date=4 December 2013 |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London}}</ref>

Cape Town offers tourists a range of air, land and sea-based adventure activities, including helicopter rides, [[paragliding]] and [[skydiving]], snorkelling and [[scuba diving]], boat trips, game-fishing, hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing. [[Surfing]] is popular and the city hosts the [[Red Bull Big Wave Africa]] surfing competition every year, and there is some local and international recreational scuba tourism.<ref>[https://www.capetown.travel/cape-town-adventure/ Cape Town Tourism capetown.travel] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226144422/https://www.capetown.travel/cape-town-adventure/ |date=26 December 2019 }}, retrieved 26 December 2019</ref>

The City of Cape Town works closely with Cape Town Tourism to promote the city both locally and internationally. The primary focus of Cape Town Tourism is to represent Cape Town as a tourist destination.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tenant of the month: Cape Town Tourism |url=https://www.citysightseeing.co.za/blog/entry/tenant-of-the-month-cape-town-tourism |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604161411/https://www.citysightseeing.co.za/blog/entry/tenant-of-the-month-cape-town-tourism |archive-date=4 June 2016 |access-date=9 May 2016 |website=citysightseeing.co.za}}</ref><ref name="Fin24">{{Cite web |title=CT Tourism celebrates tenth birthday |url=http://www.fin24.com/Companies/TravelAndLeisure/CT-Tourism-celebrates-tenth-birthday-20141103 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604100137/http://www.fin24.com/Companies/TravelAndLeisure/CT-Tourism-celebrates-tenth-birthday-20141103 |archive-date=4 June 2016 |access-date=9 May 2016 |website=Fin24}}</ref> Cape Town Tourism receives a portion of its funding from the City of Cape Town while the remainder is made up of membership fees and own-generated funds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cape Town Tourism dealt budget cut blow |url=http://www.news24.com/Travel/South-Africa/Cape-Town-Tourism-dealt-budget-cut-blow-20121019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220064600/http://www.news24.com/Travel/South-Africa/Cape-Town-Tourism-dealt-budget-cut-blow-20121019 |archive-date=20 December 2016 |access-date=9 May 2016 |website=News24}}</ref>

The [[Tristan da Cunha]] government owns and operates a lodging facility in Cape Town which charges discounted rates to Tristan da Cunha residents and non-resident natives.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tristan da Cunha Accommodation |url=https://www.tristandc.com/visitsaccommodation.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221135726/https://www.tristandc.com/visitsaccommodation.php |archive-date=21 February 2020 |access-date=6 January 2020 |publisher=Tristan da Cunha Government & Tristan da Cunha Association}}</ref> Cape Town's transport system links it to the rest of South Africa; it serves as the gateway to other destinations within the province. The [[Cape Winelands]] and in particular the towns of [[Stellenbosch, Western Cape|Stellenbosch]], [[Paarl, Western Cape|Paarl]] and [[Franschhoek, Western Cape|Franschhoek]] are popular day trips from the city for sightseeing and [[wine tasting]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cape Winelands |url=http://www.tourismcapewinelands.co.za/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040924231340/http://www.tourismcapewinelands.co.za/ |archive-date=24 September 2004 |access-date=24 February 2014 |publisher=Tourismcapewinelands.co.za}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Western Cape wine lands |url=http://www.winelands.co.za |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214131214/http://www.winelands.co.za/ |archive-date=14 February 2014 |access-date=24 February 2014 |publisher=Winelands.co.za}}</ref>

==Housing==

Cape Town has a mix of [[detached homes]] of various sizes, [[townhouses]], and [[apartments]]. Certain [[neighborhoods]] (especially older ones and those in the [[Southern Suburbs, Cape Town]]) tend to be dominated by larger, detached houses on separate plots of land, with parks and tree-lined streets. Newer suburbs, and those in the [[Northern Suburbs]] feature more of a mix of housing types, including low- and high-rise buildings and townhouse developments.<ref name= "Cape Town Property Trends and Statistics">{{cite web|url= https://www.property24.com/cape-town/property-trends/432 |title= Cape Town Property Trends and Statistics |author= |publisher= Property24 |date= |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref>

===Home ownership===

The city has for years had the most expensive average [[home]] price in South Africa. In September 2024, the average [[property]] price in Cape Town was [[South African rand|R]]2.23 million. This was an increase of 36% from the average price of R1.63 million in 2014 (a decade before), indicating consistently strong returns on [[investment]] for those in the Cape Town property market. Sellers often get their asking price, or within 5% of it.<ref name= "Airbnb trend hiking property sales in Cape Town’s CBD">{{cite web|url= https://www.property24.com/articles/airbnb-trend-hiking-property-sales-in-cape-towns-cbd/24748 |title= Airbnb trend hiking property sales in Cape Town’s CBD |author= |publisher= Property24 |date= 26 September 2016 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref><ref name= "Dark clouds for Cape Town property and its residents">{{cite web|url= https://businesstech.co.za/news/property/789624/dark-clouds-gather-for-cape-town-property-and-its-residents/ |title= Dark clouds for Cape Town property and its residents |author= Malcolm Libera |publisher= BusinessTech |date= 5 September 2024 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref>

The local property market grows at a rate far exceeding that of other major metropolitan areas in the country. For example, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) reported that between January 2010 and November 2022, Cape Town property prices increased at around double the rate of those in Johannesburg.<ref name= "Stats SA’s new property price index: Cape Town has become more expensive">{{cite web|url= https://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=16242 |title= Stats SA’s new property price index: Cape Town has become more expensive |author= |publisher= Stats SA |date= 13 April 2023 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref>

To afford the average home in Cape Town, a salary of over R80,000 per month is required, which is significantly higher than in other provinces, and around 3 times the national average salary in South Africa.<ref name= "56 jobs that pay more than the average salary of R28,300 in South Africa">{{cite web|url= https://businesstech.co.za/news/wealth/818153/56-jobs-that-pay-more-than-the-average-salary-of-r28300-in-south-africa/#:~:text=Stats%20SA's%20latest%20quarterly%20employment,231%20a%20month%20in%20Q4. |title= 56 jobs that pay more than the average salary of R28,300 in South Africa |author= Staff Writer |publisher= BusinessTech |date= 26 March 2025 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref> The [[Western Cape]] province in general requires far higher salaries for affording to purchase the average property than in other provinces.<ref name= "Here’s what it takes to afford a home in South Africa">{{cite web|url= https://www.capetownetc.com/property/what-it-takes-to-afford-a-home-in-south-africa/ |title= Here’s what it takes to afford a home in South Africa |author= Ilze-Mari Van Zyl |publisher= CapeTown ETC |date= 7 September 2024 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref>

Property in the [[Southern Suburbs, Cape Town|Southern Suburbs]] offers a peaceful lifestyle and is generally more expensive, as is property in the [[Atlantic Seaboard, Cape Town|Atlantic Seaboard]] area, for its ocean views, and property in the [[City Bowl]] region, for its proximity to Cape Town's CBD and amenities. Conversely, property in the [[Cape Flats]] is cheaper on average, as the region is less desirable to live in. The same goes for property in the [[Northern Suburbs, Cape Town|Northern Suburbs]] region, where lower costs are as a result of living further from central Cape Town, and more space to build outwards (both inland and up the west coast).

Some suburbs in Cape Town have had exceptionally high property value growth in recent years. For example, in 2025, it was reported that [[Kalk Bay]], an old fishing village in the [[False Bay]] area of Cape Town, had its house prices grow by around R1 million every year since 2020, due to an increase in demand for property in the Western Cape. The average price of a home in the suburb rose from R4.9 million in 2020 to R9 million at the start of 2025; an 83% increase over that 4-year period, or over 20% per year. One reason for this kind of housing price growth in Cape Town is the local municipality's investments in maintaining and upgrading neighborhoods, to create an attractive environment for residents to live.<ref name= "The South African fishing village where house prices increased by R1 million every year since 2020">{{cite web|url= https://businesstech.co.za/news/property/823542/the-south-african-fishing-village-where-house-prices-increased-by-r1-million-every-year-since-2020/ |title= The South African fishing village where house prices increased by R1 million every year since 2020 |author= Malcolm Libera |publisher= BusinessTech |date= 10 May 2025 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref><ref name= "One area where house prices increased by over R4 million in 5 years">{{cite web|url= https://dailyinvestor.com/property/87030/one-area-where-house-prices-increased-by-over-r4-million-in-5-years/ |title= One area where house prices increased by over R4 million in 5 years |author= Kirsten Minnaar |publisher= Daily Investor |date= 13 May 2025 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref>

Property prices in Cape Town are around double the national average of R1.41 million, according to home loan statistics. In the fourth quarter of 2023, the national average home price recorded its second consecutive decrease. Meanwhile, Cape Town property prices have continued to increase.<ref name= "What the average house price in South Africa gets you in Joburg, Durban and Cape Town">{{cite web|url= v |title= What the average house price in South Africa gets you in Joburg, Durban and Cape Town |author= Luke Fraser |publisher= BusinessTech |date= 3 February 2024 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref><ref name= "Super luxury home-sales boom, Joburg buyers pay more for Cape Town houses">{{cite web|url= https://www.bizcommunity.com/article/super-luxury-home-sales-boom-joburg-buyers-pay-more-for-cape-town-houses-811283a |title= Super luxury home-sales boom, Joburg buyers pay more for Cape Town houses |author=  |publisher= Bizcommunity.com |date= 21 November 2024 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref>

Cape Town's property values increase on average around 10% per year. The consistently strong property prices and growth thereof can be attributed to numerous factors, including good service delivery by local government, a strong local economy, the coastal lifestyle that Capetonians enjoy, and semigration (individuals moving from other South African provinces into the Western Cape).<ref name= "What the average house price in South Africa gets you in Joburg, Durban and Cape Town"></ref><ref name= "Super luxury home-sales boom, Joburg buyers pay more for Cape Town houses"></ref>

Cape Town trends among the top 20 cities worldwide for capital value growth, further increasing the attractiveness of owning a home in the city.<ref name= "Cape Town's foreign buyer hotspots and top prices paid for luxury homes">{{cite web|url= https://atlanticseaboard.seeff.com/news/cape-towns-foreign-buyer-hotspots-and-top-prices-paid-for-luxury-homes/ |title= Cape Town's foreign buyer hotspots and top prices paid for luxury homes |author= |publisher= Seeff |date= 31 October 2019 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref>

Cape Town housing is in short supply due to a number of issues, including [[NIMBY|NIMBYISM]], delays in approvals for social housing, a lack of space to build outwards, and an increase in properties listed as short-term Airbnb rentals.<ref name= "Dark clouds for Cape Town property and its residents"></ref><ref name= "Cape Town's Southern Suburbs: Rising prices and shorter listing times">{{cite web|url= https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/368/244135.html |title= Cape Town's Southern Suburbs: Rising prices and shorter listing times |author= |publisher= Bizcommunity.com |date= 27 November 2023 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref>

In early 2025, 14% of homes listed for sale were new to the market. The most common size of properties for sale was 2-bedroom, followed by 3-bedroom properties.<ref name= "Cape Town Property Trends and Statistics"></ref>

The city is home to some of South Africa's most expensive neighborhoods, including [[Constantia, Cape Town|Constantia]] and [[Bishopscourt, Cape Town|Bishopscourt]] in the [[Southern Suburbs, Cape Town|Southern Suburbs]]; [[Tamboerskloof]] and [[Higgovale, Cape Town|Higgovale]] in the [[City Bowl]]; and [[Fresnaye, Cape Town|Fresnaye]], [[Camps Bay]], [[Clifton, Cape Town|Clifton]], [[Llandudno]], and [[Bantry Bay, Cape Town|Bantry Bay]] in the [[Atlantic Seaboard]]. Affluent areas are popular with international buyers from countries including the [[United Kingdom]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Germany]], and [[France]], with some purchasing homes around R60 million (~ £2.5 million / €3 million / US$3.3 million).<ref name= "Clifton Remains Cape Town's Most Expensive Suburb to Buy Property">{{cite web|url= https://propertywheel.co.za/2024/08/clifton-remains-cape-towns-most-expensive-suburb-to-buy-property/ |title= Clifton Remains Cape Town's Most Expensive Suburb to Buy Property |author= PropertyWheel_G |publisher= Property Wheel |date= 20 August 2024 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref><ref name= "Super luxury home-sales boom, Joburg buyers pay more for Cape Town houses"></ref><ref name= "Cape Town's foreign buyer hotspots and top prices paid for luxury homes"></ref> 9 out of South Africa's 10 most expensive suburbs are in Cape Town.<ref name= "Cape Town tops R21billion in transactions">{{cite web|url= https://www.privateproperty.co.za/advice/news/articles/cape-town-tops-r21billion-in-transactions/7300 |title= Cape Town tops R21billion in transactions |author= Press |publisher= Private Property |date= 3 December 2019 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref>

In 2021, Cape Town's [[residential]] property market was valued at R1.22 trillion, the highest out of all major South African [[Metropolitan municipality (South Africa)|metropolitan areas]]. The city's property market constituted 72% of the entire Western Cape's residential property market value, and 21% of the national property market value. The city had significantly more homes valued in the luxury market segment (at 43% of the total) than in any other major South African metro area. In the same year, there were around 800,000 residential properties located in Cape Town. 76% of those were detached homes, 15% were apartments, and 9% were semi-detached homes.<ref name= "Cape Town Housing Market Report - 2021">{{cite web|url= https://housingfinanceafrica.org/app/uploads/2022/03/CT-Report-2021-V3-FINAL.pdf |title= Cape Town Housing Market Report - 2021 |author= |publisher= Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa |date= |access-date= 17 November 2024 }}</ref>

As of April 2025, Cape Town had a home ownership rate of 6.6% among those aged 18 to 35; 22.7% among those aged 36 to 49; 35.7% for those aged 50 to 64; and 35% for those aged 65 or older. In the same month, 25.8% of new home buyers in Cape Town were aged 18 to 35.<ref name= "Cape Town Property Trends and Statistics"></ref>

===Rentals===

In 2025, the average rent price in Cape Town for a 2-bedroom apartment was approximately [[South African rand|R]]12,000 per month. However, this value varies significantly between suburbs. For a property of the same size, some neighborhoods offer rent as low as R7,000 per month, while in other, more desirable areas, this may be as high as R30,000 per month. The city has excellent gross rental yields, with some properties generating as much as a 10.5% return on investment for owners.<ref name= "Cape Town’s Rental Market in 2025: Key Trends & Insights for Landlords & Tenants">{{cite web|url= https://www.celsaproperties.com/news/cape-towns-rental-market-in-2025-key-trends-insights-for-landlords-tenants/ |title= Cape Town’s Rental Market in 2025: Key Trends & Insights for Landlords & Tenants |author= |publisher= Celsa Property Group |date= 25 March 2025 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref><ref name= "Demand for SA rental property on the rise">{{cite web|url= https://www.bizcommunity.com/article/demand-for-sa-rental-property-on-the-rise-927484a |title= Demand for SA rental property on the rise |author= |publisher= Bizcommunity.com |date= 5 August 2024 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref>

Rental prices for apartments in affluent areas can often exceed the city's average by multiples. For example, in 2024, three areas in the Atlantic Seaboard - Camps Bay, Clifton, and Bantry Bay - averaged rental prices of R40,000 per month for a 1-bedroom apartment, and R120,000 per month for a 3-bedroom apartment. In Cape Town, popular rental website Property24 lists almost 100 rentals per month at prices over R100,000 per month, and some rentals cost as much as R300,000 per month.<ref name= "These Cape Town suburbs charge an average of R120 000 for rent">{{cite web|url= https://www.capetownetc.com/property/cape-town-suburbs-rent-120-000-for-rent/ |title= These Cape Town suburbs charge an average of R120 000 for rent |author= Kirshni Kulsen |publisher= CapeTown ETC |date= 5 August 2024 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref>

Average rent prices in Cape Town increased by 5.2% in 2025, in line with the national average.<ref name= "Fibonacci development set to attract property investors and to aid CPT rental shortage">{{cite web|url= https://africabusiness.com/2025/02/11/fibonacci-development-set-to-attract-property-investors-and-to-aid-cpt-rental-shortage/ |title= Fibonacci development set to attract property investors and to aid CPT rental shortage |author= Africa Business |publisher= AfricaBusiness.com |date= 11 February 2025 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref> In 2024, the city has the lowest rental vacancy rate out of all major South African metropolitan areas.<ref name= "These Cape Town suburbs charge an average of R120 000 for rent"></ref>

In 2021, approximately 18% of Cape Town residents rented.<ref name= "Cape Town Housing Market Report - 2021"></ref>

With nearly 5,000 students from over 100 countries studying at the [[University of Cape Town]] (UCT), 18% of the student body is international, which increases demand for rental properties in Cape Town. Student housing - accommodation provided by the University of Cape Town - has a shortfall, which is made up by the private rental market. In 2023, there were 28,000 registered UCT students, with 8,400 of them securing UCT residence places.<ref name= "Fibonacci development set to attract property investors and to aid CPT rental shortage"></ref>

As of 2025, rental prices in the Western Cape were the highest in South Africa, and 23% above the national average. It has been the most expensive province in South Africa for renting since 2016.<ref name= "Dangerous proposal for properties in Cape Town">{{cite web|url= https://dailyinvestor.com/property/73359/dangerous-proposal-for-properties-in-cape-town/ |title= Dangerous proposal for properties in Cape Town |author= Daily Investor |publisher= Daily Investor |date= 9 January 2025 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref><ref name= "One South African province where rental prices shot up">{{cite web|url= https://businesstech.co.za/news/property/813914/one-south-african-province-where-rental-prices-shot-up/ |title= One South African province where rental prices shot up |author= Seth Thorne |publisher= BusinessTech |date= 25 February 2025 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref> The Western Cape’s reputation as South Africa’s best-run province, with efficient governance and high-quality, well-maintained infrastructure, has made it an attractive destination for tenants.<ref name= "Fibonacci development set to attract property investors and to aid CPT rental shortage"></ref>

The average rent price in the Western Cape in the fourth quarter of 2024 was R11,141. This was the first time the figure had gone beyond the R11,000 mark. The Western Cape also has the lowest number of tenants in arrears (those who are behind on rental payments) out of all South African provinces.<ref name= "New record for the average rent paid in South Africa">{{cite web|url= https://businesstech.co.za/news/property/813962/new-record-for-the-average-rent-paid-in-south-africa/ |title= New record for the average rent paid in South Africa |author= Malcolm Libera |publisher= BusinessTech |date= 26 February 2025 |access-date= 15 May 2025 }}</ref> The Western Cape had a record-low vacancy rate of 1.07% in the third quarter of 2024.<ref name= "Fibonacci development set to attract property investors and to aid CPT rental shortage"></ref>

== Infrastructure and services ==
Most goods are handled through the Port of Cape Town or [[Cape Town International Airport]]. Most major shipbuilding companies have offices in Cape Town.<ref>{{Cite web |title=South African Boatbuilders Business Council |url=http://www.southafricanboatbuilders.co.za |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106214500/http://www.southafricanboatbuilders.co.za/ |archive-date=6 January 2017 |access-date=24 February 2014 |publisher=Southafricanboatbuilders.co.za}}</ref> The province is also a centre of energy development for the country, with the existing [[Koeberg nuclear power station]] providing energy for the Western Cape's needs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Koeberg Power Station |url=http://www.eskom.co.za/Whatweredoing/ElectricityGeneration/KoebergNuclearPowerStation/Pages/Koeberg_Power_Station.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613123845/http://www.eskom.co.za/Whatweredoing/ElectricityGeneration/KoebergNuclearPowerStation/Pages/Koeberg_Power_Station.aspx |archive-date=13 June 2020 |access-date=17 June 2020 |website=eskom.co.za}}</ref>

Greater Cape Town has four major commercial nodes, with the city's Central Business District (CBD) containing the majority of its office space.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}} [[Century City (Cape Town)|Century City]], the [[Bellville, Western Cape|Bellville]]/Tygervalley strip, and [[Claremont, Cape Town|Claremont]] commercial nodes are well-established and contain many offices and corporate [[headquarters]].

=== Health ===
The city contains many well-equipped clinics and hospitals.

{{see also|List of hospitals in South Africa#Cape Metropole}}
[[File:Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town, Western Cape. 05.JPG|thumb|[[Groote Schuur Hospital]]]]
* The [[Alexandra Hospital (Cape Town)|Alexandra Hospital]] is a specialist mental health care hospital in Cape Town, it provides care for complex mental health issues and intellectual disability.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alexandra Hospital |url=https://www.westerncape.gov.za/facility/alexandra-hospital |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105085248/https://www.westerncape.gov.za/facility/alexandra-hospital |archive-date=5 January 2017 |access-date=4 January 2016 |publisher=Western Cape Government}}</ref>
* [[Groote Schuur Hospital]] is a large, government-funded, teaching hospital situated on the slopes of Devil's Peak. It was founded in 1938 and is famous for being the institution where the first human-to-human heart transplant took place. Groote Schuur is the chief academic hospital of the University of Cape Town's medical school, providing tertiary care and instruction in all the major branches of medicine. The hospital underwent major extension in 1984 when two new wings were added.
* The Hottentots Holland Hospital, also known as Helderberg Hospital, is a district hospital for the Helderberg basin located in Somerset West, and also serves surrounding areas in the Overberg district.

Numerous of South Africa's major private medical services groups operate [[Private hospital|hospitals]] in the city, including those below.

* [[Mediclinic Group]]: 7 facilities (Cape Town, Milnerton, Louis Leipoldt, Constantiaberg, Cape Gate, Durbanville, and Vergelegen) <ref name= "Hospitals & Day Clinics">{{cite web|url= https://www.mediclinic.co.za/en/corporate/hospitals.html |title= Hospitals & Day Clinics |author= |publisher= Mediclinic Group |date= |access-date= 26 April 2025 }}</ref>
* [[Netcare]]: 4 facilities (Christiaan Barnard, UCT Private Academic, Blaawberg, and N1 City)<ref name= "Netcare Smart Search">{{cite web|url= https://www.netcare.co.za/search?path=hospitals_facilities |title= Netcare Smart Search |author= |publisher= Netcare |date= |access-date= 26 April 2025 }}</ref>
* [[Melomed]]: 5 facilities (Gatesville, Bellville, Tokai, Mitchells Plain, and Claremont)<ref name= "Melomed">{{cite web|url= https://www.melomed.co.za/ |title= Melomed |author= |publisher= Melomed |date= |access-date= 26 April 2025 }}</ref>

=== Education ===
[[File:UCT Upper Campus landscape view.jpg|thumb|left|[[University of Cape Town]] with the [[Devil's Peak (Cape Town)|Devil's Peak]]]]
[[Image:CPUT Cape Town Campus.jpg|thumb|left|The Cape Town Campus of the [[Cape Peninsula University of Technology]], with [[Table Mountain]] in the background]]

Public primary and secondary schools in Cape Town are run by the [[Western Cape Education Department]]. This provincial department is divided into seven districts; four of these are "Metropole" districts – Metropole Central, North, South, and East – which cover various areas of the metropolis.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Education Management and Development Centres (EMDCs) |url=http://wced.wcape.gov.za/operations/emdc_links.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409162520/http://wced.wcape.gov.za/operations/emdc_links.html |archive-date=9 April 2008 |access-date=10 April 2008 |publisher=Western Cape Education Department}}</ref> There are also many private schools, both religious and secular. Cape Town has a well-developed higher system of [[public university|public universities]].

Cape Town is served by three public universities: the [[University of Cape Town]] (UCT), the [[University of the Western Cape]] (UWC) and the [[Cape Peninsula University of Technology]] (CPUT). [[Stellenbosch University]], while not based in the metropolitan area itself, has its main campus and administrative section 50{{spaces}}kilometres from the City Bowl and has additional campuses, such as the Tygerberg Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Bellville Business Park, north-west of the city in the town of [[Bellville, South Africa|Bellville]].

Both the University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University are leading universities in South Africa. This is due in large part to substantial financial contributions made to these institutions by both the public and private sector. UCT is an English-language tuition institution. It has over 21,000 students and has an MBA programme that was ranked 51st by the Financial Times in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Competitiveness factors |url=http://www.capetown.gov.za/econstats/pdf/compete.zip |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927091123/http://www.capetown.gov.za/econstats/pdf/compete.zip |archive-date=27 September 2007 |publisher=City of Cape Town}}</ref>

It is also the top-ranked university in Africa, being the only African university to make the world's Top 200 university list at number 146.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 November 2009 |title=University of cape town |url=http://www.topuniversities.com/university/98/university-of-cape-town |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220022353/http://www.topuniversities.com/university/98/university-of-cape-town |archive-date=20 February 2010 |access-date=2 July 2010 |publisher=Top Universities}}</ref> Since the [[African National Congress]] has become the country's ruling party, some restructuring of Western Cape universities has taken place and as such, traditionally non-white universities have seen increased financing, which has evidently benefitted UWC.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cape Town Society |url=http://www.capetown.at/heritage/society/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928033036/http://www.capetown.at/heritage/society/index.htm |archive-date=28 September 2009 |access-date=14 June 2006 |publisher=CapeConnected}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Education Cosas critical of education funding |url=http://www.dispatch.co.za/1998/01/20/PAGE7.HTM |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224155137/http://www.dispatch.co.za/1998/01/20/PAGE7.HTM |archive-date=24 December 2007 |publisher=Dispatch Online}}</ref>

The Cape Peninsula University of Technology was formed on 1 January 2005, when two separate institutions – [[Cape Technikon]] and [[Peninsula Technikon]] – were merged. The new university offers education primarily in English, although one may take courses in any of South Africa's official languages. The institution generally awards the [[National Diploma (South Africa)|National Diploma]].

Students from the universities and high schools are involved in the South African [[SEDS]], Students for the Exploration and Development of Space. This is the South African SEDS, and there are many SEDS branches in other countries, preparing enthusiastic students and young professionals for the growing Space industry.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

As well as the universities, there are also several [[college]]s in and around Cape Town. Including the [[College of Cape Town]], False Bay College and Northlink College. Many students use NSFAS funding to help pay for tertiary education at these TVET colleges.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 June 2022 |title=NSFAS Funding |url=https://allbursaries.co.za/government-bursaries-south-africa/nsfas-everything-need-know |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122152416/https://allbursaries.co.za/government-bursaries-south-africa/nsfas-everything-need-know/ |archive-date=22 November 2021 |access-date=24 June 2022 |publisher=AllBursaries}}</ref> Cape Town has also become a popular [[Study abroad in the United States|study abroad]] destination for many international college students. Many [[study abroad organization|study abroad providers]] offer semester, summer, short-term, and internship programs in partnership with Cape Town universities as a chance for international students to gain intercultural understanding.

=== Water supply ===
{{Main|Western Cape Water Supply System}}
The '''Western Cape Water Supply System''' (WCWSS) is a complex water supply system in the [[Western Cape]] region of [[South Africa]], comprising an inter-linked system of six main dams, pipelines, tunnels and distribution networks, and a number of minor dams, some owned and operated by the [[Department of Water and Sanitation]] and some by the [[City of Cape Town]].<ref name="Kasrils">[http://www.info.gov.za/speeches/2003/03041609461001.htm Address by Mr Ronnie Kasrils, MP, minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, at the Berg Water Project signing ceremony on 15 April 2003, in Cape Town], accessed on 11 December 2009</ref>

==== Water crisis of 2017 to 2018 ====
{{Main|Cape Town water crisis}}
[[File:Water Crisis.jpg|thumb|upright|Water crisis warning in Cape Town in 2018]]
The Cape Town water crisis of 2017 to 2018 was a period of severe water shortage in the [[Western Cape]] region, most notably affecting the [[City of Cape Town]]. While dam water levels had been declining since 2015, the Cape Town water crisis peaked during mid-2017 to mid-2018 when water levels hovered between 15 and 30 percent of total dam capacity.

In late 2017, there were first mentions of plans for "Day Zero", a shorthand reference for the day when the water level of the major dams supplying the city could fall below 13.5 percent.<ref name="USA today" /><ref name="Globe and Mail" /><ref name="Poplak 2018" /> "Day Zero" would mark the start of Level 7 water restrictions, when municipal water supplies would be largely switched off and it was envisioned that residents could have to queue for their daily ration of water. If this had occurred, it would have made the City of Cape Town the first major city in the world to run out of water.<ref name="Booysen et al 2019" /><ref name="Booysen et al 2019a" />

The city of Cape Town implemented significant water restrictions in a bid to curb water usage, and succeeded in reducing its daily water usage by more than half to around 500 million litres (130,000,000 US gal) per day in March 2018.<ref name="Narrandes 2018" /> The fall in water usage led the city to postpone its estimate for "Day Zero", and strong rains starting in June 2018 led to dam levels recovering.<ref name="Myburgh 2018" />

In September 2018, with dam levels close to 70 percent, the city began easing water restrictions, indicating that the worst of the water crisis was over.<ref name="reduce-sep2018" /> Good rains in 2020 effectively broke the drought and resulting water shortage when dam levels reached 95 percent.<ref name="After drought" /> Concerns have been raised, however, that unsustainble demand and limited water supply could result in future drought events.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Day Zero still looms over Cape Town |url=https://climate.mit.edu/posts/day-zero-still-looms-over-cape-town |access-date=20 April 2023 |website=MIT Climate Portal |language=en}}</ref>

=== Transport ===
==== Air ====
[[File:2013.01.03 Ciudad del Cabo, ZA (28).JPG|thumb|left|[[Cape Town International Airport]]]]
[[Cape Town International Airport]] serves both domestic and international flights.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flights to Cape Town |url=https://flytoct.com |access-date=10 December 2023 |website=capetownetc.com}}</ref> It is the second-largest airport in South Africa and serves as a major gateway for travellers to the Cape region. Cape Town has regularly scheduled services to [[Southern Africa]], [[East Africa]], [[Mauritius]], [[Middle East]], [[Far East]], [[Europe]], [[Brazil]] and the [[United States]] as well as eleven domestic destinations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cape Town International Airport |url=http://www.southafrica.info/plan_trip/travel_tips/arriving/ctairport.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060625211424/http://www.southafrica.info/plan_trip/travel_tips/arriving/ctairport.htm |archive-date=25 June 2006 |publisher=SouthAfrica.info}}</ref>

As tourism numbers increased in the lead-up to the tournament of the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]], Cape Town International Airport opened a brand new central terminal building that was developed to handle an expected increase in air traffic.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jordan |first=Bobby |date=17 May 1998 |title=R150-million upgrade kicks off one of the biggest developments in Cape Town's history |url=http://www.suntimes.co.za/1998/05/17/news/cape/nct01.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051204030148/http://www.suntimes.co.za/1998/05/17/news/cape/nct01.htm |archive-date=4 December 2005 |access-date=13 June 2006 |work=Sunday Times |location=UK}}</ref>

Other renovations include several large new parking garages, a revamped domestic departure terminal, a new Bus Rapid Transit system station and a new double-decker road system. The airport's cargo facilities are also being expanded and several large empty plots are being developed into [[office|office space]] and hotels.

Cape Town is one of five internationally recognised [[Antarctic gateway cities]] with transportation connections. Since 2021, commercial flights have operated from Cape Town to [[Wolfs Fang Runway|Wolf's Fang Runway]], Antarctica.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 November 2021 |title=White Desert introduces direct flights from Cape Town to Antarctica |url=https://www.capetownetc.com/news/white-desert-introduces-direct-flights-from-cape-town-to-antarctica/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221202948/https://www.capetownetc.com/news/white-desert-introduces-direct-flights-from-cape-town-to-antarctica/ |archive-date=21 February 2022 |access-date=23 February 2022 |website=capetownetc.com}}</ref> The Cape Town International Airport was among the winners of the World Travel Awards for being Africa's leading airport.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cape Town International Airport |url=http://www.ctru.co.za/C3/CapeTownInternationalAirportamongtheWorld.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922094206/http://www.ctru.co.za/C3/CapeTownInternationalAirportamongtheWorld.pdf |archive-date=22 September 2014 |publisher=Cape Town Routes Unlimited}}</ref> Cape Town International Airport is located 18{{spaces}}km from the [[Central Business District]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Distance Calculator |url=http://www.distancecalculator.co.za/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724001841/http://www.distancecalculator.co.za/ |archive-date=24 July 2019 |access-date=24 July 2019 |website=distancecalculator.co.za}}</ref>

==== Sea ====
[[File:2011-02-06 14-34-03 South Africa - Foreshore.jpg|thumb|The [[Port of Cape Town]] is a major transport node in southern Africa. In addition to moving freight it also serves as a major repair site for ships and oil rigs.]]
Cape Town has a long tradition as a port city, and its role as a re-provisioning stop at the midpoint of the [[Cape Route]] gained it the nicknames "Tavern of the Seas" and "Tavern of the Indian Ocean".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ward |first=Kerry |title=Seascapes |date=31 December 2017 |publisher=University of Hawaii Press |isbn=978-0-8248-6424-8 |pages=137–152 |chapter=8. "Tavern of the Seas"? The Cape of Good Hope as an Oceanic Crossroads during the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries |doi=10.1515/9780824864248-011}}</ref> The [[Port of Cape Town]], the city's main port, is in Table Bay directly to the north of the CBD.

The port is a hub for ships in the southern Atlantic: it is located along one of the busiest shipping corridors in the world, and acts as a stopover point for goods en route to or from Latin America and Asia. It is also an entry point into the South African market.<ref name="EU Handbook 2020">{{Cite book |url=https://ec.europa.eu/chafea/agri/sites/default/files/south-africa-handbook-2020_en.pdf |title=The Food and Beverage Market Entry Handbook: South Africa |publisher=European Union |year=2020 |isbn=978-92-9478-535-0 |location=European Union |pages=178 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808145237/https://ec.europa.eu/chafea/agri/sites/default/files/south-africa-handbook-2020_en.pdf |archive-date=8 August 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> It is the second-busiest container port in South Africa after [[Durban]]. In 2004, it handled 3,161 ships and 9.2{{spaces}}million tonnes of cargo.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Introducing SAPO |url=http://www.ports.co.za/port-operations.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110801011548/http://ports.co.za/port-operations.php |archive-date=1 August 2011 |publisher=South African Port Operations}}</ref>

[[Simon's Town]] Harbour on the False Bay coast of the Cape Peninsula is the main operational base of the [[South African Navy]].<!-- The SAN headquarters is in Pretoria, not Simon's Town. But Simon's Town is, as stated, a major operational base for the South African Navy -->

Until the 1970s the city was served by the [[Union Castle Line]] with service to the United Kingdom and St Helena.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The last boat to St Helena |url=https://www.theoldie.co.uk/article/the-last-boat-to-st-helena |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727071810/https://www.theoldie.co.uk/article/the-last-boat-to-st-helena |archive-date=27 July 2020 |access-date=6 January 2020 |website=The Oldie}}</ref> The [[RMS St Helena (1989)|RMS ''St Helena'']] provided passenger and cargo service between Cape Town and [[St Helena]] until the opening of [[St Helena Airport]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hollins, Jonathan |date=19 February 2018 |title=What it was like to sail aboard the RMS St Helena's final voyage |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/rms-st-helena-royal-mail-ship-final-journey-cape-town-a8217436.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426204147/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/rms-st-helena-royal-mail-ship-final-journey-cape-town-a8217436.html |archive-date=26 April 2021 |access-date=6 January 2020 |website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref>

The cargo vessel M/V ''Helena'', under AW Shipping Management, takes a limited number of passengers,<ref name="Cargoships">{{Cite web |last=Trend |first=Nick |title=10 fascinating voyages on cargo ships |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/lists/cabins-on-cargo-ships/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114022803/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/lists/cabins-on-cargo-ships/ |archive-date=14 January 2020 |access-date=6 January 2020 |website=The Telegraph}}</ref> between Cape Town and St Helena and [[Ascension Island]] on its voyages.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Passengers |url=https://sthelenashipping.com/passengers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231144231/http://sthelenashipping.com/passengers/ |archive-date=31 December 2019 |access-date=6 January 2020 |website=St Helena Shipping |publisher=AW Shipping Management}} – see [http://www.sthelenashipping.com/passengers/routes-prices/ Routes and Prices] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228173202/http://www.sthelenashipping.com/passengers/routes-prices/ |date=28 December 2019 }} which confirms its destinations</ref> Multiple vessels also take passengers to and from [[Tristan da Cunha]], inaccessible by aircraft, to and from Cape Town.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cape Town – Tristan da Cunha Shipping Schedule |url=https://www.tristandc.com/shipping.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611235109/https://www.tristandc.com/shipping.php |archive-date=11 June 2020 |access-date=6 January 2020 |publisher=Tristan da Cunha Government & Tristan da Cunha Association}}</ref> In addition, NSB Niederelbe Schiffahrtsgesellschaft takes passengers on its cargo service to the [[Canary Islands]] and [[Hamburg]], [[Germany]].<ref name=Cargoships/>

==== Rail ====
[[File:X'trapolis Mega on Kalk Bay bridge Dec 2023.jpg|thumb|[[Metrorail (Western Cape)|Metrorail]] train near [[Kalk Bay]] station.]]
The [[Shosholoza Meyl]] is the passenger rail operations of [[Spoornet]] and operates one long-distance passenger rail service from Cape Town as of 2024: a weekly service to and from [[Johannesburg]] via [[Kimberley, South Africa|Kimberley]]. These trains terminate at [[Cape Town railway station]] and make a stop at [[Bellville railway station|Bellville]]. Cape Town also terminates 2 luxury tourist train routes as of 2024 operated by the [[Ceres Rail Company]], traveling from the [[V&A Waterfront|Waterfront]] to [[Simon's Town]] and [[Grabouw]] respectively.

[[Metrorail (Western Cape)|Metrorail]] operates a [[commuter rail]] service in Cape Town and the surrounding area. The Metrorail network consists of 96 stations throughout the suburbs and outskirts of Cape Town.

==== Road ====
Cape Town is the origin of three [[National Roads in South Africa|national roads]]. The [[N1 (South Africa)|N1]] and [[N2 (South Africa)|N2]] begin in the foreshore area near the City Centre and the [[N7 (South Africa)|N7]], which runs North toward [[Namibia]]. The N1 runs East-North-East from Cape Town through the towns of [[Goodwood, Western Cape|Goodwood]], [[Parow, South Africa|Parow]], [[Bellville, Cape Town|Bellville]], [[Brackenfell, Cape Town|Brackenfell]] and [[Kraaifontein]] before continuing towards [[Paarl]]. It connects Cape Town to major cities further inland, namely [[Bloemfontein]], [[Johannesburg]], and [[Pretoria]] An older at-grade road, the [[R101 road (South Africa)|R101]], runs parallel to the N1 from Bellville.

The N2 runs East-South-East through [[Rondebosch]], [[Guguletu]], [[Khayelitsha]], [[Macassar, Western Cape|Macassar]] to [[Somerset West]]. It becomes a multiple-carriageway, at-grade road from the intersection with the [[R44 road (South Africa)|R44]] onward. The N2 continues east along the coast, linking Cape Town with Somerset West and the coastal cities of [[Mossel Bay]], [[George, South Africa|George]], [[Port Elizabeth]], [[East London, South Africa|East London]] and [[Durban]]. An older at-grade road, the [[R102 (South Africa)|R102]], runs parallel to the N1 initially, before veering south at Bellville, to join the N2 at Somerset West via the towns of [[Kuils River|Kuilsrivier]] and [[Eerste River, Western Cape|Eersterivier]]. The N7 originates from the N1 at Wingfield Interchange near Edgemead. It begins, initially as a highway, but becoming an at-grade road from the intersection with the M5 onward.
[[File:Cape Town N2.jpg|thumb|left|The [[N2 (South Africa)|N2]] as it enters the city centre.]]

There are also a number of [[Provincial route (South Africa)|regional routes]] linking Cape Town with surrounding areas. The [[R27 road (South Africa)|R27]] originates from the N1 near the Foreshore and runs north parallel to the N7, but nearer to the coast. It passes through the suburbs of [[Milnerton, Cape Town|Milnerton]], [[Table View, Cape Town|Table View]] and [[Bloubergstrand, Cape Town|Bloubergstrand]] and links the city to the West Coast, ending at the town of [[Velddrif]].

The [[R44 road (South Africa)|R44]] enters the east of the metro from the north, from [[Stellenbosch]]. It connects Stellenbosch to Somerset West, then crosses the N2 to [[Strand, Western Cape|Strand]] and [[Gordon's Bay]]. It exits the metro heading south hugging the coast, leading to the towns of [[Betty's Bay]] and [[Kleinmond]].

Of the three-digit routes, the [[R300 road (South Africa)|R300]] is an expressway linking the N1 at [[Brackenfell]] to the N2 near [[Mitchells Plain]] and the [[Cape Town International Airport]]. The [[R302 road (South Africa)|R302]] runs from the R102 in Bellville, heading north across the N1 through [[Durbanville]] leaving the metro to [[Malmesbury, Western Cape|Malmesbury]]. The [[R304 road (South Africa)|R304]] enters the northern limits of the metro from Stellenbosch, running NNW before veering west to cross the N7 at [[Philadelphia, Western Cape|Philadelphia]] to end at [[Atlantis, Western Cape|Atlantis]] at a junction with the [[R307 road (South Africa)|R307]]. This R307 starts north of [[Koeberg]] from the R27 and, after meeting the R304, continues north to [[Darling, Western Cape|Darling]]. The [[R310 road (South Africa)|R310]] originates from [[Muizenberg]] and runs along the coast, to the south of Mitchell's Plain and Khayelitsha, before veering north-east, crossing the N2 west of Macassar, and exiting the metro heading to Stellenbosch.

Cape Town, like most South African cities, uses [[Metropolitan Routes in Cape Town|Metropolitan]] or "M" routes for important intra-city routes, a layer below National (N) roads and Regional (R) routes. Each city's M roads are independently numbered. Most are at-grade roads. The [[M3 (Cape Town)|M3]] splits from the N2 and runs to the south along the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, connecting the City Bowl with [[Muizenberg]].

Except for a section between Rondebosch and Newlands that has at-grade intersections, this route is a highway. The [[M5 (Cape Town)|M5]] splits from the N1 further east than the M3, and links the Cape Flats to the CBD. It is a highway as far as the interchange with the M68 at Ottery, before continuing as an at-grade road. Cape Town has the worst traffic congestion in [[South Africa]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=TomTom Traffic Index |url=http://www.tomtom.com/en_gb/trafficindex/#/list |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151201021928/https://www.tomtom.com/en_gb/trafficindex/#/list |archive-date=1 December 2015 |access-date=29 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=R750 million to fight traffic in SA's most congested city |url=http://businesstech.co.za/news/general/103039/r750-million-to-fight-traffic-in-sas-most-congested-city/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208104036/http://businesstech.co.za/news/general/103039/r750-million-to-fight-traffic-in-sas-most-congested-city/ |archive-date=8 December 2015 |access-date=29 November 2015}}</ref>

==== Buses ====
[[Golden Arrow Bus Services]] operates scheduled bus services in the Cape Town metropolitan area. Several companies run long-distance bus services from Cape Town to the other cities in South Africa.

===== MyCiTi =====
{{main|MyCiTi}}
[[File:MyCiti BRT Adderley station (21812360016).jpg|thumb|[[MyCiTi]] station and bus]]
Cape Town has a public transport system in about 10% of the city, running north to south along the west coastline of the city, comprising Phase 1 of the IRT system. This is known as the MyCiTi service.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MyCiTi |url=https://myciti.org.za/en/home/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225063521/http://myciti.org.za/en/home/ |archive-date=25 December 2015 |access-date=29 December 2015}}</ref>

MyCiTi Phase 1 includes services linking the Airport to the Cape Town inner city, as well as the following areas: [[Bloubergstrand|Blouberg]] / [[Table View]], [[Dunoon, Cape Town|Dunoon]], [[Atlantis, Western Cape|Atlantis]] and [[Melkbosstrand]], [[Milnerton, Cape Town|Milnerton]], Paarden Eiland, [[Century City, Cape Town|Century City]], [[Salt River, Cape Town|Salt River]] and [[Walmer Estate, Cape Town|Walmer Estate]], and all suburbs of the [[City Bowl]] and [[#Atlantic Seaboard|Atlantic Seaboard]] all the way to [[Llandudno, Cape Town|Llandudno]] and [[Hout Bay, Cape Town|Hout Bay]].{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

The MyCiTi N2 Express service consists of four routes each linking the Cape Town inner city and [[Khayelitsha]] and [[Mitchells Plain]] on the [[Cape Flats]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=MyCiTi {{!}} N2 Express services to restart on 19 February 2022 |url=https://www.myciti.org.za/en/routes-stops/n2-express/ |access-date=3 March 2024 |website=www.myciti.org.za |language=en-US}}</ref>

The service use high floor articulated and standard size buses in dedicated busways, low floor articulated and standard size buses on the N2 Express service, and smaller {{cvt|9|m|adj=on|abbr=off}} [[Optare]] buses in suburban and inner city areas. It offers [[Accessibility#Transportation|universal access]] through level boarding and numerous other measures, and requires cashless fare payment using the [[EMV]] compliant smart card system, called myconnect. Headway of services (i.e. the time between buses on the same route) range from three to twenty minutes in peak times to an hour in off-peak times.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

==== Taxis ====
[[File:Cape Town Taxicab in Campsbay.jpg|thumb|left|A fleet of privately owned taxis in [[Camps Bay]]]]
Cape Town has various kinds of taxis available, including those obtained through ride-hailing services such as [[Bolt (company)|Bolt]] and [[Uber]].

Taxis are either [[taxicab|metered taxis]] or [[minibus taxi]]s. Metered taxis can be found at transport hubs as well as other tourist establishments, while minibus taxis can be found at taxi ranks, and, commonly, travelling along main streets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Public transport {{!}} Transport and Public Works |url=https://www.westerncape.gov.za/tpw/public-transport |access-date=29 May 2023 |website=www.westerncape.gov.za}}</ref> Minibus taxis can be hailed from the road.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The best ways to get around Cape Town: cycling, walking and safety |url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/getting-around-cape-town |access-date=29 May 2023 |website=Lonely Planet |language=en}}</ref>

Cape Town metered taxi cabs mostly operate in the city bowl, suburbs and Cape Town International Airport areas. Large companies that operate fleets of cabs can be reached by phone and are cheaper than the single operators that apply for hire from taxi ranks and [[Victoria and Alfred Waterfront]].

There are about 1,000 meter taxis in Cape Town. Their rates vary from R8 per kilometre to about R15 per kilometre. The larger taxi companies in Cape Town are Excite Taxis, Cabnet and Intercab and single operators are reachable by cellular phone. The seven seated Toyota Avanza are the most popular with larger Taxi companies. Meter cabs are mostly used by tourists and are safer to use than minibus taxis.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

Minibus taxis are the standard form of transport for the majority of the population who cannot afford private vehicles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transport |url=http://www.cape-town.org/directory.asp?McatId=8 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128184051/http://www.cape-town.org/directory.asp?McatId=8 |archive-date=28 November 2011 |publisher=CapeTown.org}}</ref> Although essential, these taxis are often poorly maintained and are frequently not road-worthy. These taxis make frequent unscheduled stops to pick up passengers, which can cause accidents.<ref>{{Cite news |title=South Africa's minibus wars: uncontrollable law-defying minibuses oust buses and trains from transit |url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_go1566/is_200209/ai_n7215423 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203204842/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_go1566/is_200209/ai_n7215423 |archive-date=3 February 2007 |publisher=LookSmart}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Transportation in Developing Countries: Greenhouse Gas Scenarios for South Africa |url=http://www.c2es.org/global-warming-in-depth/all_reports/transportation_in_south_africa/trans_sa_execsumm.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223234303/http://www.c2es.org/global-warming-in-depth/all_reports/transportation_in_south_africa/trans_sa_execsumm.cfm |archive-date=23 February 2012 |access-date=8 February 2016 |publisher=Center for Climate and Energy Solutions}}</ref> With the high demand for transport by the working class of South Africa, minibus taxis are often filled over their legal passenger allowance. Minibuses are generally owned and operated in fleets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Taxing Alternatives: Poverty Alleviation and the South African Taxi/Minibus Industry |url=http://www.enterpriseafrica.org/repository/docLib/20060427_MC_GPI_EATaxi_060323.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625232203/http://www.enterpriseafrica.org/repository/docLib/20060427_MC_GPI_EATaxi_060323.pdf |archive-date=25 June 2008 |publisher=Enterprise Africa! Research Publications}}</ref>

== Culture ==
[[File:Kaapse Klopse marching through Cape Town (2017).jpg|thumb|[[Kaapse Klopse|Cape Town Minstrel Carnival]] (2017)]]
Cape Town is noted for its architectural heritage, with the highest density of [[Cape Dutch architecture|Cape Dutch]] style buildings in the world. Cape Dutch style, which combines the architectural traditions of the Netherlands, Germany, France and Indonesia, is most visible in [[Constantia, Cape Town|Constantia]], the [[Houses of Parliament, Cape Town|old government buildings]] in the Central Business District, and along [[Long Street (Cape Town)|Long Street]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cape Dutch Architecture |url=http://www.encounter.co.za/article/19.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060618001306/http://www.encounter.co.za/article/19.html |archive-date=18 June 2006 |access-date=14 June 2006 |publisher=Encounter South Africa}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Dewar |first=David |title=A Comparative Evaluation of Urbanism in Cape Town |last2=Hutton-Squire |first2=Martin |last3=Levy |first3=Caren |last4=Menidis |first4=Philip |last5=Uytenbogaardt |first5=Roelof |publisher=University of Cape Town Press |year=1977 |isbn=0-620-02535-2 |pages=20–98}}</ref> [[File:Groot Constantia - 2.jpg|thumb|[[Groot Constantia]] is a good example of Cape Dutch architecture. ]] The annual [[Coon Carnival|Cape Town Minstrel Carnival]], also known by its Afrikaans name of ''Kaapse Klopse'', is a large [[minstrel]] festival held annually on 2 January or ''"Tweede Nuwe Jaar"'' (Second New Year). Competing teams of minstrels parade in brightly coloured costumes, performing [[Cape Jazz]], either carrying colourful umbrellas or playing an array of musical instruments.

The [[Artscape Theatre Centre]] is the largest performing arts venue in Cape Town.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Artscape Theatre Centre |url=https://www.timeout.com/cape-town/cape-town/venue/1%3A23699/artscape-theatre-centre |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731194936/http://www.timeout.com/cape-town/cape-town/venue/1%3A23699/artscape-theatre-centre |archive-date=31 July 2017 |website=timeout.com}}</ref>

Cape Town was named the [[World Design Capital]] for 2014 by the [[International Council of Societies of Industrial Design]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cape Town Hosts Official WDC 2014 Signing Ceremony |url=http://www.worlddesigncapital.com/press-releases/cape-town-hosts-official-world-design-capital-2014-signing-ceremony/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310030341/http://www.worlddesigncapital.com/press-releases/cape-town-hosts-official-world-design-capital-2014-signing-ceremony/ |archive-date=10 March 2013 |access-date=4 August 2012 |publisher=World Design Capital}}</ref>

The city also encloses the 36 hectare [[Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden]] that contains protected natural forest and [[fynbos]] along with a variety of animals and birds. There are over 7,000 species in cultivation at Kirstenbosch, including many rare and threatened species of the [[Cape Floristic Region]]. In 2004 this Region, including Kirstenbosch, was declared a UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden |url=http://www.sanbi.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&Itemid=57&id=139 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929154010/http://www.sanbi.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&Itemid=57&id=139 |archive-date=29 September 2011 |access-date=1 October 2011 |publisher=Sanbi.org}}</ref>

[[File:Mosterts Mill.jpg|thumb|[[Mostert's Mill]] in Cape Town.]]

[[Whale watching]] is popular amongst tourists: [[southern right whale]]s and [[humpback whale]]s are seen off the coast during the breeding season (August to November) and [[Bryde's whale]]s and [[orca]] can be seen any time of the year.<ref name="CTwhale">{{Cite web |title=Cape Town Whale Watching |url=http://www.afton.co.za/whale-watching.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060422020303/http://www.afton.co.za/whale-watching.htm |archive-date=22 April 2006 |publisher=Afton Grove}}</ref>

The nearby town of [[Hermanus]] is known for its Whale Festival, but whales can also be seen in False Bay.<ref name="CTwhale" /> [[Heaviside's dolphin]]s are endemic to the area and can be seen from the coast north of Cape Town; [[dusky dolphin]]s live along the same coast and can occasionally be seen from the ferry to Robben Island.<ref name="CTwhale" />

The only complete windmill in South Africa is [[Mostert's Mill]], [[Mowbray, Cape Town|Mowbray]]. It was built in 1796 and restored in 1935 and again in 1995.

=== Cuisine ===
{{see also|South African cuisine}}
[[File:Cape Town - Vegan Lekker Nuggy Gatsby in restaurant Lekker Vegan.jpg|thumb|A gatsby sandwich, freshly prepared]]
Food originating from or synonymous with Cape Town includes the savoury sweet spiced meat dish [[Bobotie]] that dates from the 17th century. The [[Gatsby (sandwich)|Gatsby]], a sandwich filled with [[slap chips]] and other toppings, was first served in 1976 in the suburb of [[Athlone, Cape Town|Athlone]] and is also synonymous with the city.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Andrew |date=30 September 2016 |title=Dishes You Have to Eat When in Cape Town, South Africa |url=https://theculturetrip.com/africa/south-africa/articles/dishes-you-have-to-eat-when-in-cape-town/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628131545/https://theculturetrip.com/africa/south-africa/articles/dishes-you-have-to-eat-when-in-cape-town/ |archive-date=28 June 2022 |access-date=4 June 2022 |website=Culture Trip}}</ref> The [[koe'sister]] is a traditional [[Cape Malays|Cape Malay]] pastry described as a cinnamon infused dumpling with a cake-like texture, finished off with a sprinkling of desiccated coconut.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 January 2018 |title=Dial-A-Koesister: Cape Town's genius answer to those sweet treat cravings |url=https://www.food24.com/dial-a-koesister-cape-towns-genius-answer-to-those-sweet-treat-cravings/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130020948/https://www.food24.com/dial-a-koesister-cape-towns-genius-answer-to-those-sweet-treat-cravings/ |archive-date=30 November 2022 |access-date=4 June 2022 |website=Food24 |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[Malva pudding]] (sometimes known as Cape Malva pudding) is a sticky sweet dessert often served with hot custard is also associated with the city and dates back to the 17th century.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 April 2020 |title=Malva Pudding |url=https://www.capetownculinarytours.com/foodies/1888/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627200511/https://www.capetownculinarytours.com/foodies/1888/ |archive-date=27 June 2022 |access-date=4 June 2022 |website=Cape Town Culinary Tours |language=en}}</ref> A related dessert dish, [[Cape Brandy Pudding]], is also associated with the city and surrounding region.<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=23 August 2019 |title=Cape Brandy Pudding Recipe |url=https://www.makweti.com/seasoned-safari-culinary-experiences/cape-brandy-pudding-recipe/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112105054/https://www.makweti.com/seasoned-safari-culinary-experiences/cape-brandy-pudding-recipe/ |archive-date=12 January 2023 |access-date=12 January 2023 |website=Makweti |language=en}}</ref> Cape Town is also the home of the [[South African wine]] industry with the first wine produced in the country being bottled in the city; a number of notable wineries still exist in the city including [[Groot Constantia]] and [[Klein Constantia]].

=== Media ===
[[File:Cape Town TV news van.jpg|thumb|left|A news van owned by [[Cape Town TV]] outside the [[Houses of Parliament, Cape Town|Houses of Parliament]]]]

Several newspapers, magazines and printing facilities have their offices in the city. [[Independent News and Media]] publishes the major English language papers in the city, the ''[[Cape Argus]]'' and the ''[[Cape Times]]''. [[Naspers]], the largest media conglomerate in South Africa, publishes ''[[Die Burger]]'', the major Afrikaans language paper.<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Africa Newspapers |url=http://www.abyznewslinks.com/safri.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226162818/http://www.abyznewslinks.com/safri.htm |archive-date=26 February 2014 |access-date=24 February 2014 |publisher=ABYZ News Links}}</ref>

Cape Town has many local community [[newspapers]]. Some of the largest community newspapers in English are the ''Athlone News'' from [[Athlone, Cape Town|Athlone]], the ''[[Atlantic Sun]]'', the ''Constantiaberg Bulletin'' from [[Constantiaberg, Cape Town|Constantiaberg]], the ''City Vision'' from [[Bellville, Cape Town|Bellville]], the ''[[False Bay Echo]]'' from False Bay, the ''[[Helderberg Sun]]'' from [[Helderberg, Cape Town|Helderberg]], the ''[[Plainsman (South Africa)|Plainsman]]'' from Michell's Plain, the ''[[Sentinel News]]'' from Hout Bay, the ''[[Southern Mail (newspaper)|Southern Mail]]'' from the Southern Peninsula, the ''[[Southern Suburbs Tatler]]'' from the [[Southern Suburbs, Cape Town|Southern Suburbs]], ''[[Table Talk (Cape Town)|Table Talk]]'' from Table View and ''[[Tygertalk]]'' from Tygervalley/Durbanville. Afrikaans language community newspapers include the ''[[Landbou-Burger]]'' and the ''[[Tygerburger]]''.
''[[Vukani]]'', based in the Cape Flats, is published in [[Xhosa language|Xhosa]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Africa Newspapers |url=http://www.dailyearth.com/IntnNews/southafrica.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829093302/http://dailyearth.com/IntnNews/southafrica.html |archive-date=29 August 2013 |access-date=24 February 2014 |publisher=Daily Earth}}</ref>

Cape Town is a centre for major broadcast media with several radio stations that only broadcast within the city. [[KFM (Cape Town)|94.5 Kfm]] (94.5{{spaces}}[[MHz]] FM) and [[Good Hope FM]] (94–97{{spaces}}MHz [[FM broadcasting|FM]]) mostly play [[pop music]]. Heart FM (104.9{{spaces}}MHz FM), the former P4 Radio, plays [[jazz]] and [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]], while [[Fine Music Radio]] (101.3 FM) plays [[European classical music|classical music]] and jazz, and Magic Music Radio<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Alan |title=Magic 828 – Less Talk, More Music |url=https://magic828.co.za/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002020622/https://magic828.co.za/ |archive-date=2 October 2020 |access-date=23 September 2020 |website=Magic 828 – Less Talk More Music}}</ref> (828 [[kilohertz|kHz]] MW) plays adult contemporary and classic rock from the '80s, '90s and '00s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Magic 828 |url=https://magic828.co.za/ |access-date=22 January 2025 |website=Magic 828}}</ref>

[[Bush Radio (South Africa)|Bush Radio]] is a community radio station (89.5{{spaces}}MHz FM). The [[Voice of the Cape]] (95.8{{spaces}}MHz FM) and [[Cape Talk]] (567{{spaces}}kHz [[Mediumwave|MW]]) are the major [[talk radio|talk radio stations]] in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Radio companies |url=http://www.biz-community.com/Companies/196/59.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118135807/http://biz-community.com/Companies/196/59.html |archive-date=18 January 2010 |access-date=24 February 2014 |publisher=BizCommunity.Com}}</ref> Bokradio (98.9{{spaces}}MHz FM) is an Afrikaans music station.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 June 2013 |title=98.9fm |url=http://www.bokradio.co.za/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228083313/http://www.bokradio.co.za/ |archive-date=28 February 2014 |access-date=24 February 2014 |publisher=Bok Radio}}</ref> The [[University of Cape Town]] also runs its own radio station, [[UCT Radio]] (104.5{{spaces}}MHz FM).

The [[SABC]] has a small presence in the city, with satellite studios located at [[Sea Point]]. [[e.tv]] has a greater presence, with a large complex located at Longkloof Studios in [[Gardens, Cape Town|Gardens]]. [[M-Net]] is not well represented with infrastructure within the city. [[Cape Town TV]] is a local TV station, supported by numerous organisation and focusing mostly on documentaries.

Numerous productions companies and their support industries are located in the city, mostly supporting the production of overseas commercials, model shoots, TV-series and movies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=South African Industry News |url=http://www.filmmakersguide.co.za/filming_in_sa |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100217122738/http://www.filmmakersguide.co.za/filming_in_sa |archive-date=17 February 2010 |access-date=24 February 2014 |publisher=filmmakersguide.co.za}}</ref> The local media infrastructure remains primarily in Johannesburg.

=== Sport and recreation ===
[[File:New stadium - panoramio.jpg|thumb|[[Cape Town Stadium]] in [[Green Point, Cape Town|Green Point]]]]
[[File:Newlands2.jpg|thumb|[[Newlands Cricket Ground]]]]
[[File:Newlands stadium cropped.jpg|thumb|[[Newlands Stadium]]]]
[[File:Kitesurfers-001.JPG|thumb|[[Kitesurfing]] in [[Table Bay]]]]

Cape Town's most popular sports by participation are [[cricket]], [[association football]], [[swimming (sport)|swimming]], and [[rugby union]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Woulidge |first=Sam |title=Time Out: Cape Town |publisher=Time Out Publishing |year=2006 |isbn=1-904978-12-6 |pages=127–130: Sports}}</ref> In rugby union, Cape Town is the home of the [[Western Province (rugby)|Western Province]] side, who play at [[Cape Town Stadium]] and compete in the [[Currie Cup]].

In addition, Western Province players (along with some from Wellington's [[Boland Cavaliers]]) comprise the [[Stormers]] in the [[United Rugby Championship]] competition. Cape Town has also been a host city for both the [[1995 Rugby World Cup]] and [[2010 FIFA World Cup]], and annually hosts the Africa leg of the [[World Rugby Sevens Series|World Rugby 7s]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=worldrugby.org |title=Rounds and Tournaments – HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series {{!}} world.rugby/sevens-series |url=https://www.world.rugby/sevens-series/calendar |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007181633/https://www.world.rugby/sevens-series/calendar |archive-date=7 October 2020 |access-date=12 October 2020 |website=world.rugby}}</ref> It has hosted the [[2023 Netball World Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 November 2021 |title=Cape Town to host national netball championships in December |url=https://www.news24.com/witness/sport/general/cape-town-to-host-national-netball-championships-in-december-20211124 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114024648/https://www.news24.com/witness/sport/general/cape-town-to-host-national-netball-championships-in-december-20211124 |archive-date=14 January 2022 |access-date=14 January 2022}}</ref>

[[Association football]], which is mostly known as ''soccer'' in South Africa, is also popular. One [[Football club (association football)|club]] from Cape Town plays in the [[South African Premiership|Premiership]], South Africa's premier league, [[Cape Town City F.C. (2016)|Cape Town City F.C.]] Cape Town was also the location of several of the matches of the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]] including a semi-final,<ref name="southafrica.info">{{Cite web |title=SA 2010: frequent questions |url=http://www.southafrica.info/2010/2010-faq.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070603155707/http://www.southafrica.info/2010/2010-faq.htm |archive-date=3 June 2007 |access-date=26 May 2007 |publisher=southafrica.info}}</ref> held in South Africa. The Mother City built a new 70,000-seat stadium ([[Cape Town Stadium]]) in the Green Point area.

In [[cricket]], the [[Cape Cobras]] represent Cape Town at the [[Newlands Cricket Ground]]. The team is the result of an amalgamation of the [[Western Province Cricket]] and [[Boland Cricket]] teams. They take part in the [[Supersport Series|Supersport]] and [[Standard Bank Cup Series]]. The Newlands Cricket Ground regularly hosts international matches.

Cape Town has had Olympic aspirations. For example, in 1996, Cape Town was one of the five candidate cities shortlisted by the [[IOC]] to launch official candidatures to host the [[2004 Summer Olympics]]. Although the Games ultimately went to [[Athens]], Cape Town came in third place.

There has been some speculation that Cape Town was seeking the South African Olympic Committee's nomination to be South Africa's bid city for the [[2020 Summer Olympic Games]].<ref>[http://www.gamesbids.com/cgi-bin/news/viewnews.cgi?category=5&id=1049905279 South Africa Announces Bid For 2020 Summer Olympic Games] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080613004431/http://www.gamesbids.com/cgi-bin/news/viewnews.cgi?category=5&id=1049905279 |date=13 June 2008}}, Gamesbids.com</ref> That was quashed when the [[International Olympic Committee]] awarded the 2020 Games to Tokyo.

The city of Cape Town has vast experience in hosting major national and international sports events. The [[Cape Town Cycle Tour]] is the world's largest individually timed [[road bicycle racing|road cycling race]] – and the first event outside Europe to be included in the [[UCI Golden Bike|International Cycling Union's Golden Bike series]]. It sees over 35,000 cyclists tackling a {{cvt|109|km|0}} route around Cape Town.

The [[Absa Cape Epic]] is the largest full-service mountain bike stage race in the world. Some notable events hosted by Cape Town have included the [[1995 Rugby World Cup]], [[2003 ICC Cricket World Cup]], and World Championships in various sports such as athletics, fencing, weightlifting, hockey, cycling, canoeing, gymnastics and others.

Cape Town was also a host city to the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]] from 11 June to 11 July 2010, further enhancing its profile as a major events city. It was also one of the host cities of the [[2009 Indian Premier League]] cricket tournament.

The Mother City has also played host to the [[South Africa Sevens|Africa leg]] of the annual [[World Rugby Sevens Series|World Rugby 7s]] event since 2015; for nine seasons, from 2002 until 2010, the event was staged in [[George, South Africa|George]] in the Western Cape, before moving to [[Port Elizabeth]] for the [[2011 South Africa Sevens|2011 edition]], and then to Cape Town in 2015. The event usually takes place in mid-December, and is hosted at the [[Cape Town Stadium]] in Green Point.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stadium |url=http://capetown7s.com/stadium/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125135018/https://capetown7s.com/stadium/ |archive-date=25 November 2020 |access-date=12 October 2020 |website=HSBC Cape Town Sevens}}</ref>

There are several golf courses in Cape Town. The Clovelly Country Club and Metropolitan Golf Club have 18 holes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 July 2022 |title=Best Golf Courses in Cape Town |url=https://moneytoday.co.za/best-golf-courses-in-cape-town/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709184621/https://moneytoday.co.za/best-golf-courses-in-cape-town/ |archive-date=9 July 2022 |access-date=12 July 2022 |website=MoneyToday.co.za |publisher=MoneyToday}}</ref>

The coastline of Cape Town is relatively long, and the varied exposure to weather conditions makes it fairly common for water conditions to be conducive to recreational scuba diving at some part of the city's coast. There is considerable variation in the underwater environment and regional ecology as there are dive sites on reefs and wrecks on both sides of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay, split between two coastal marine ecoregions by the Cape Peninsula, and also variable by depth zone.

[[File:Blue Wall of Sandy Bay.jpg|thumb|Surfing in [[Sandy Bay, Cape Town|Sandy Bay]]]]
False Bay is open to the south, and the prevailing open ocean swell arrives from the southwest, so the exposure varies considerably around the coastline. The inshore bathymetry near Cape Point is shallow enough for a moderate amount of refraction of long period swell, but deep enough to have less effect on short period swell, and acts as a filter to pass mainly the longer swell components to the Western shores, although they are significantly attenuated.

The eastern shores get more of the open ocean spectrum, and this results in very different swell conditions between the two sides at any given time. The fetch is generally too short for southeasterly winds to produce good surf. There are more than 20 [[False Bay#Surfing|named breaks in False Bay]].

The north-wester can have a long fetch and can produce large waves, but they may also be associated with local wind and be very poorly sorted. The Atlantic coast is exposed to the full power of the South-westerly swell produced by the westerly winds of the southern ocean, often a long way away, so the swell has time to separate into similar wavelengths, and there are some world class big wave breaks among the named breaks of the Atlantic shore.<ref name="Wavescape 1" /><ref name="Wavescape 2" /><ref name="Wavescape 3" />

{{Further|topic=the racing sailboat built in Cape Town|Cape 31}}

In the 1950s the city was part of four editions of the famous [[Algiers-Cape Town Rally]], during the pioneer years of trans-Africa rallying and motor exploration. The closing of the road to the newly founded [[Zaire]] caused the city to be dropped from the traject.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 October 2021 |title=The Saga of Rallye Algiers – Cape Town (1951–1961) |url=https://www.cockpitdz.com/en/post/the-saga-of-rallye-algiers-cape-town-1951-1961 |website=COCKPIT}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|South Africa}}
* {{annotated link|Cape Colony}}
* {{annotated link|Timeline of Cape Town}}
* {{annotated link|Western Cape}}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=

<ref name="After drought">{{Cite web |date=7 September 2020 |title=After the drought: Cape Town's gushing water |url=https://www.groundup.org.za/article/after-drought-cape-towns-gushing-water/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704224704/https://www.groundup.org.za/article/after-drought-cape-towns-gushing-water/ |archive-date=4 July 2021 |access-date=11 September 2020 |website=[[GroundUp News]] |language=en}}</ref>

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<ref name="Booysen et al 2019a">{{Cite journal |last=Booysen |first=M.J. |last2=Visser |first2=M. |last3=Burger |first3=R. |date=2019 |title=Temporal case study of household behavioural response to Cape Town's Day Zero using smart meter data |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2018.11.035 |url-status=live |journal=Water Research |volume=149 |pages=414–420 |doi=10.31224/osf.io/6nckp |pmid=30472543 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202050950/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0043135418309564?via%3Dihub |archive-date=2 February 2023 |access-date=4 June 2022}}</ref>

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<ref name="Globe and Mail">{{Cite web |last=York |first=Geoffrey |date=8 March 2018 |title=Cape Town residents become 'guinea pigs for the world' with water-conservation campaign |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/cape-town-residents-become-guinea-pigs-for-the-world-with-water-conservationcampaign/article38257004/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119091917/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/cape-town-residents-become-guinea-pigs-for-the-world-with-water-conservationcampaign/article38257004/ |archive-date=19 January 2021 |access-date=4 June 2022 |website=The Globe and Mail}}</ref>

<ref name="Map 3318">{{Cite map |title=1:250,000 Geological Series map 3318:Cape Town |date=1990 |publisher=Government Printer |place=Pretoria}}</ref>

<ref name="Myburgh 2018">{{Cite news |last=Myburgh |first=Janine |date=29 June 2018 |title=Chamber delighted by Day-Zero's death |url=http://www.capemessenger.co.za/2018/06/29/chamber-delighted-by-day-zeros-death/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706025457/http://www.capemessenger.co.za/2018/06/29/chamber-delighted-by-day-zeros-death/ |archive-date=6 July 2018 |access-date=29 June 2018 |work=Cape Messenger}}</ref>

<ref name="Narrandes 2018">{{Cite web |last=Narrandes |first=Nidha |date=14 March 2018 |title=Cape Town water usage lower than ever |url=http://www.capetownetc.com/water-crisis/water-usage-further-reduced-in-cape-town/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215230132/https://www.capetownetc.com/water-crisis/water-usage-further-reduced-in-cape-town/ |archive-date=15 February 2021 |access-date=4 June 2022 |publisher=Cape Town etc.}}</ref>

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<ref name="reduce-sep2018">{{Cite web |last=Pitt |first=Christina |date=10 September 2018 |title=City of Cape Town relaxes water restrictions, tariffs to Level 5 |url=https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/city-of-cape-town-relaxes-water-restrictions-tariffs-to-level-5-20180910 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181212034631/https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/city-of-cape-town-relaxes-water-restrictions-tariffs-to-level-5-20180910 |archive-date=12 December 2018 |access-date=10 September 2018 |publisher=News24}}</ref>

<ref name="USA today">{{Cite web |last=Cassim |first=Zaheer |date=19 January 2018 |title=Cape Town could be the first major city in the world to run out of water |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/01/19/cape-town-could-first-major-city-run-out-water/1047237001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508093442/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/01/19/cape-town-could-first-major-city-run-out-water/1047237001/ |archive-date=8 May 2020 |access-date=4 June 2022 |website=USA Today}}</ref>

<ref name="Wavescape 1">{{Cite web |title=Melkbosstrand to Mouille Point |url=https://www.wavescape.co.za/spots/spots-by-region/table-bay.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806001257/http://www.wavescape.co.za/spots/spots-by-region/table-bay.html |archive-date=6 August 2016 |access-date=4 June 2022 |website=wavescape.co.za}}</ref>

<ref name="Wavescape 2">{{Cite web |title=Mouille Point to Sandy Bay |url=https://www.wavescape.co.za/spots/spots-by-region/cape-peninsula-west.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927001713/https://www.wavescape.co.za/spots/spots-by-region/cape-peninsula-west.html |archive-date=27 September 2020 |access-date=4 June 2022 |website=wavescape.co.za}}</ref>

<ref name="Wavescape 3">{{Cite web |title=Sandy Bay to Cape Point |url=https://www.wavescape.co.za/spots/spots-by-region/cape-peninsula-south.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926235648/https://www.wavescape.co.za/spots/spots-by-region/cape-peninsula-south.html |archive-date=26 September 2020 |access-date=4 June 2022 |website=wavescape.co.za}}</ref>
}}

== External links ==
{{sister project links|auto=yes}}
{{EB1911 poster|Cape Town}}
<!-- DO NOT ADVERTISE HERE! COMMERCIAL LINKS WILL BE REMOVED AS SPAM. -->
* {{official website|http://www.capetown.gov.za/}} of the City of Cape Town
* {{official website|http://www.westerncape.gov.za/}} of the Western Cape
* {{official website|http://www.capetown.travel/}} of Cape Town Tourism

{{Cape Town|communities}}
{{List of African capitals}}
{{Provincial capitals of South Africa}}
{{Western Cape Province}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cape Town| ]]<!--please leave the empty space as standard-->
[[Category:Capitals in Africa]]
[[Category:Cities in South Africa]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in South Africa]]
[[Category:17th-century establishments in the Cape Colony]]
[[Category:1652 establishments in Africa]]
[[Category:1652 establishments in the Dutch Empire]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1652]]
[[Category:Populated places established by the Dutch East India Company]]
[[Category:Populated places in the City of Cape Town]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns of the Atlantic Ocean]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in South Africa]]
[[Category:Provincial capitals in South Africa]]