Evidence of human inhabitants near Cape Town can be dated back to over 100,000 years ago. More permanent settlements of Khoisan nomads can be documented to approximately 25,000 years ago. The first European explorers arrived at the Cape in the late 15th century, and established the city of Cape Town, which became the gateway for European exploration and colonization into the southern tip of Africa. The first permanent European settlement was organized in the mid 17th century by Jan van Riebeeck, a Dutch merchant.
The landscape of Cape Town is varied and beautiful. The shores are spotted with plateaus, including the famous Table Mountain, which rises over 3000 feet above Cape Town. The weather in Cape Town is similar to a Mediterranean climate, with hot dry summers and mild, wet winters.
One of the most notoriously famous attractions in Cape Town is Robben Island, which served as a maximum security prison for political prisoners during the apartheid era. Its most famous resident, Nelson Mandela, spent more than two decades on Robben Island. Today, Robben Island is a world heritage site, and tours are offered daily. The island is a short 30 minute ferry ride from the Cape Town waterfront.
One of the more unique areas in Cape Town is the Bo-Kaap, the area formerly known as the Malay quarter, which was settled primarily by the Muslim freed slaves imported from Southeast Asia by the Dutch. The area is sprinkled with brightly colored houses and traditional mosques.
Because of the diverse history of Cape Town, the dining options in the city are vast. Visitors can find choices ranging from traditional African dishes, imported European fare and spicy Asian flavors. Because of its placement along the coast, Cape Town offers a wide variety of seafood restaurants serving fresh catches with refined flavors.
While the most famous game reserve in South Africa is the Kruger National Park, Cape Town boasts its own nearby "big 5" reserve: Shamwari Game Reserve.
