George, South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Geographic Coordinates: -33.966700, 22.450000
Temperature Range: 10.0°C to 30.0°C (50°F to 86°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 157394
Language: English
George is a beautiful city located in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It’s situated on the Garden Route, A well-known tourist destination famous for its natural beauty and outdoor activities. The city is surrounded by mountains, Forests, And beaches making it an ideal location for nature lovers. The history of George dates back to the early 18th century when it was established as an outpost for the Dutch East India Company. Today, George is a thriving commercial center with a strong economy driven by agriculture, Manufacturing, And tourism.
Timber processing, Fruit farming (especially apples), And ostrich farming are some of its primary industries. One of the best things about George is its mild climate that attracts visitors all year round who come to enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, Mountain biking or golfing on world-class golf courses in the area. The Outeniqua Mountains surrounding George offer some breathtaking hiking trails including one leading to Cradock Peak where you can enjoy panoramic views over the landscape.
For those interested in history or culture there are several museums worth visiting such as The Outeniqua Transport Museum showcasing vintage locomotives from South Africa’s railway heritage or The Old Slave Tree telling stories about slavery during colonial times. George also has many parks where visitors can relax or have picnics with family and friends like The Garden Route Botanical Garden boasting more than 3000 plant species including rare orchids sourced from around South Africa.
Foodies will be delighted with what George has to offer too – there are plenty of restaurants serving local cuisine made from fresh ingredients sourced from nearby farms – think seafood platters featuring oysters shucked minutes before being served; succulent lamb chops cooked over open flames; or traditional South African dishes like bobotie (a spicy meat dish with sweet custard topping) or boerewors (a type of sausage made from beef and spices). George offers visitors an array of experiences from outdoor adventures to cultural and historical attractions, To culinary delights.
With its beautiful surroundings and mild climate, It’s no wonder that George has become a popular destination for both South Africans and international tourists alike.
Important Landmarks
- Outeniqua Transport Museum
- Wilderness National Park
- Garden Route Botanical Garden
- Redberry Farm
- George Golf Club
- Map of Africa Viewpoint
- Victoria Bay Beach
- Herold Wine Estate
- George Museum
- Fancourt Golf Estate
Primary Industries
- Tourism: George is a popular tourist destination due to its scenic beauty, golf courses, and beaches.
- Agriculture: The region is known for its fruit and vegetable farming, especially the cultivation of citrus fruits.
- Manufacturing: The manufacturing sector in George includes food processing, textiles, furniture production, and electronics.
- Retail: There are several shopping malls and retail centers in the city that cater to both locals and tourists.
- Healthcare: The city has several private hospitals and clinics that provide medical services to residents as well as visitors.
- Education: There are several schools, colleges, and universities in the city that offer quality education to students from all over South Africa.
- Construction: With a growing population comes an increasing demand for new housing developments and infrastructure projects which have led to growth in the construction industry.
- Business Process Outsourcing (BPO): The BPO industry has been growing rapidly in recent years with companies outsourcing their business processes to local service providers who offer cost-effective solutions with skilled labor force at lower wages compared to other countries around the world.
Noteable History
- The establishment of the town in 1811 by the British colonial government.
- The Outeniqua Choo Tjoe steam train that used to run between George and Knysna, which was a major tourist attraction until it was discontinued in 2006.
- The Montagu Pass, a historic mountain pass built by Henry Fancourt White in 1844 that connects George to Oudtshoorn.
- The Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902), during which George served as a military base for British troops.
- Sir Rufane Donkin, who named the town after King George III’s son Prince George (later King George IV) and is buried at St Mark’s Cathedral in the town.
- Fancourt Estate, which was established by Henry Fancourt White in 1859 and is now one of South Africa’s premier golf resorts.
- Nelson Mandela visited George during his presidential campaign trail in 1994 and addressed a rally at PW Botha College Stadium.
- The Garden Route Botanical Garden, which features over 300 species of indigenous plants from the Southern Cape region.
- Herold Wines, one of South Africa’s oldest wine farms located just outside of George.
- Harold Cressy High School, named after anti-apartheid activist Harold Cressy who attended school there before going on to become one of South Africa’s first black lawyers and civil rights leaders.
Museums and Things To See
- Outeniqua Transport Museum
- George Museum
- Garden Route Botanical Garden
- Redberry Farm
- Montagu Pass
- The Old Slave Tree
- St Mark’s Cathedral
- The Dutch Reformed Mother Church
- Herold Wine Estate
- Victoria Bay Beach
Sports Teams
- The Cheetahs Rugby team is a professional rugby union team based in Bloemfontein, South Africa. They were founded in 1895 and have won the Currie Cup five times.
- Free State Stars FC is a professional football club based in Bethlehem, South Africa. They were founded in 1977 and have won the Nedbank Cup once.
- The Central University of Technology Rugby Club is a rugby union team based in Bloemfontein, South Africa. They compete in the Varsity Shield competition.
- Mangaung Unite FC is a professional football club based in Bloemfontein, South Africa. They were founded in 2016 and currently compete in the National First Division.
- Kovsies Rugby Club represents the University of the Free State (UFS) located in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
- The Golden Lions are one of four teams from Johannesburg who play their home games at Ellis Park Stadium which has hosted many international matches over the years including World Cup games.
- The Highlanders are one of five New Zealand teams competing at Super Rugby level with their home ground being Forsyth Barr Stadium located on Otago Peninsula near Dunedin.
Cultural Events
- Wilderness Festival is an annual celebration of music, art, and culture that takes place in the town of Wilderness.
- Knysna Oyster Festival is a popular food festival that celebrates the oyster harvest in Knysna.
- George Old Car Show is an annual event that showcases vintage cars and classic vehicles from around South Africa.
- Outeniqua Farmers’ Market is a weekly market held in George offering fresh produce, artisanal goods, and live entertainment.
- Garden Route Walking Festival offers guided hikes and walks through the scenic Garden Route region each year.
- Klein Karoo National Arts Festival takes place annually in nearby Oudtshoorn to celebrate Afrikaans language, arts, and culture.
- Fynbos Trail Run is a trail running event taking place on the scenic trails of Outeniqua Mountains near George.
- Herolds Bay Beach Festival features live music, food stalls, beach games at Herolds Bay near George every year.
- KKNK (Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees) – Another arts festival located in nearby Oudtshoorn which takes place annually during March or April with performances ranging from theatre to dance to comedy shows to musicals.
- Wilderness Art Exhibition showcases local artists’ work such as paintings or sculptures during December-January period every year.
Cuisine
- Oupa se Plaasstal – a traditional farm-style restaurant that serves hearty South African dishes like bobotie, potjiekos, and boerewors.
- The Fat Fish – a seafood restaurant that offers fresh seafood caught daily from the nearby coast.
- La Capannina – an Italian restaurant that serves authentic pizza and pasta dishes.
- The Old Townhouse Restaurant – a fine-dining establishment that offers contemporary cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients.
- 101 Meade Street – a trendy bistro-style restaurant known for its gourmet burgers, craft beers, and live music events.
- Herold Wines Tasting Room & Deli – a wine estate that offers wine tastings accompanied by local cheeses, charcuterie, and other deli treats.
- Cafe Bravo – a cozy cafe that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with an emphasis on healthy eating options like smoothie bowls, salads, and wraps.
- Fancourt Hotel Restaurants – Fancourt is one of the most luxurious hotels in George with several dining options including Henry White’s Restaurant (fine-dining), Morning Glory (breakfast buffet), and La Cantina (Italian cuisine).
- Vic Bay Surfari Restaurant & Bar- A beachfront restaurant located in Victoria Bay serving delicious meals such as burgers, pizzas etc along with drinks to enjoy while taking in the beautiful ocean view.
- Montague’s Restaurant- A fine dining establishment located within the Outeniqua Mountain Range serving traditional South African dishes such as game meat etc.
- Outeniqua Nature Reserve
- Garden Route Botanical Garden
- Victoria Bay Beach
- Wilderness National Park
- Fancourt Golf Estate and Spa
- George Golf Club
- Redberry Farm
- Herold Wine Estate
- Kaaimans River Bridge
- George Museum