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Stellenbosch
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Welcome to my new home on the web - 2008! Im making this web site to tell the world about me......................... I live on the planet earth on the continent of Africa. In a country called South-Africa. I live in a town called Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. |
| This is my first year in high school (Stellenbosch Hoershool) |
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| Stellenbosch Information |
| With its temperate Mediterranean climate, beautiful surroundings, magnificent backdrop of mountain ranges, modern facilities and close proximity to all major places of interest in the Cape Peninsula, Stellenbosch is the ideal get-away holiday destination. |
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Soon after the Cape of Good Hope had been established, the
newly-appointed Governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel, set out on
a discovery journey east to explore the wild and untouched land
beyond the Cape Peninsula. On 6 November 1679 he came across a river
running through a beautifully green, fertile valley. He named the
river "Eerste Rivier" (First River) and the surrounding
area "Van der Stel Bosch" (Van der Stel's bush). Before
long, news of the finding of this fertile valley spread and the
first families settled there in 1680.
A yearly celebration on Simon van der Stel's birthday was held in honor of the founder. This tradition was started in 1686 and included games, parades, festivities and dances. As the celebration took place on October 14th, it was a celebration of spring at the same time. The highlight of the celebration was when marksmen shot at a wooden parrot to win the main prize, and to this day the hill where this event took place is still known as Papegaaiberg (parrot hill). Simon van der Stel launched a project to plant oak trees and the mighty trees still line the streets of Stellenbosch. The town is appropriately known as "Eikestad", or the Town of Oaks. Unfortunately a recent disease has affected the trees, and the towering oaks are slowly dying. Fortunately, since the oak trees are a symbol of Stellenbosch, the town council started planting new trees soon after the discovery of the disease. In 1866, the Stellenbosch Gymnasium was founded. In 1880 it changed its name to Stellenbosch College, but was renamed in 1887 to Victoria College in honor of Queen Victoria. In 1918 the college officially became the University of Stellenbosch, known affectionately as "Maties". The University has over the years become the heart of Stellenbosch and is regarded as one of the best in the world.
Just outside
Stellenbosch, nestled between the majestic Simonsberg, Stellenbosch,
Jonkershoek, Twin Peaks and Helderberg mountains, a
"clean" industry settlement has been established at Techno
Park. Once a quiet little village, Techno Park has become a centre
for industry, business and education, as well as the heart of the
wine industry.
Events and activities take place
throughout the year - music, street, wine and art festivals delight
both young and old. Outdoors enthusiasts can partake in hiking,
mountain climbing, horse riding and cycling, while sports fans can
attend international sporting events. |
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Click
here to see the Western Cape Province Map. Click here to see the South African Map. |
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The Western Cape is
situated on the south-western tip of Africa, the Western Cape is the
meeting point of the cold Atlantic and the warm Indian Oceans. Its
capital city Cape Town, is dominated by the flat-topped bulk of
Table Mountain. The province has South Africas fifth largest
population, numbering in the region of 4.5 million inhabitants. The
story of the Republic of South Africa began in the Western Cape,
some 350 years ago, when it was inhabited by the Khoi, San and other
Bantu-speaking groups. In the late 15th century European seafarers
arrived here in search of a halfway stop on trade routes to the East
and thereby changed the face of South African history forever. The Western Cape climate is hot summers and mild, green winters perfect weather for the production of fruit, grains and, most important wine. Thanks to its scenic beauty and many attractions, tourism is a major and growing force in the Western Cape, which hosts over 50% of the countrys international visitors. Major attractions in the area: 
Cape Town Metropolitan area:The area between Table Mountain and Hottentots Holland comprises the Cape Town Metro pole and encompasses pulsating cosmopolitan city life, beach playgrounds, forests and exquisite nature parks. Table Mountain Cape Towns most famous landmark a quick spin by revolving cable car to the 1 086m summit will give the visitor a grand view of one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and of course the equally famous South African [Alcatraz] Robben Island. The Famous V & A Waterfront The most visited attraction in Cape Town is the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront with its assortment of shopping, eating, entertainment and sightseeing facilities, all set within a working harbor. Robben Island The V & A Waterfront is also the gateway to Robben Island, a former prison (now national monument) where a visit is an emotional journey echoing with the sorrows of stalwarts of [the struggle] against apartheid. The island was [home] to many of South Africas freedom fighters including Nelson Mandela. Cape Fortress The oldest surviving building in South Africa, and well preserved too, is the Castle of Good Hope, the pentagonal fortress built by personnel of the Dutch East India Company back in the 1660s - 70s. Today it houses the regional headquarters of the South African Defense Force in the Western Cape, and a military museum. Africas Most Southerly Point Cape Agulhus is the most southern point of South Africa with spectacular views of the ocean. It is at this point that the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. Cape Point A stop at Cape Point gives the visitor the opportunity to boast of having been at the most southern point of the Cape Peninsula. Some 26 shipwrecks have been recorded at Cape Point, some of them presenting good diving spots. A funicular takes visitors on scenic trips to an old lighthouse and the spot is a bird watchers paradise. Township Vibes Township tours will remind the tourist how the will to survive can overcome any adversity. In Guguletu and Langa expect to be overwhelmed by hospitality, informal roadside traders, rowdy taverns serving local beer and toe-tapping jazz. Guided tours are recommended to get to most out of the experience. Most Fabulous Beaches in the World Theres a beach to suit every mood in Cape Town
Shopping Frenzy |
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The settlement later became
known as Stellenbosch, and is the second-oldest city in South
Africa. The warm summers and winter rainfall provided an ideal
farming environment, and by 1682 the settlement had become an
established town. In 1685 it became the seat of a magistrate, whose
authority extended over 25 000 square kilometers. The first school
was built in 1686, followed soon afterwards by the first church.
During the year, the estimated 17 000 students
fill the town with a cheerful vibe and bustling activity in the
hostels, lecture halls, restaurants, coffee shops, bars and discos.
Holidays are the times when the tranquility of the natural
surroundings and the comparative quiet in the streets allows
Stellenbosch a chance to breathe and prepare for the influx of young
people that is sure to follow with the next semester. Stellenbosch
is a treasure of beautifully restored buildings - elegant Cape
Dutch, Victorian and Georgian architecture can be seen particularly
in historic Dorp Street, which is reminiscent of the rich and
coorful past. Several international businesses have their
headquarters in this historical university town.
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Copyright - South Africa -
Jonnathan Crawford
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Revised: 17 Oct 2008 11:06:58 +0200
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