The Western Cape is situated on the south-western tip of the African continent. It is a region of folded mountains, well-watered valleys, wide beaches and breathtaking scenery. The cold Atlantic Ocean along the west coast is a rich fishing area, while the warmer I ndian Ocean skirts its southern beaches.
Visitors to the Western Cape can land at Cape Town International Airport or disembark at the Port of Cape Town in the shadow of Table Mountain. A network of roads also leads to Cape Town, the capital of this province.
Other important towns in the province include Vredenburg-Saldanha, an important harbour for iron exports and the fishing industry;Worcester and Stellenbosch in the heart of the winelands; George, renowned for indigenous timber and vegetable produce; Oudts
hoorn, known for its ostrich products, and Beaufort West on the dry, sheep-farming plains of the Great Karoo.
The Western Cape boasts one of the six accepted floral kingdoms of the world. Although the smallest of them all, the Western Cape Floral Kingdom, locally called fynbos, contains more plant species than the whole of Europe. This is also the home of thew famous protea.
The Knysna-Tsitsikamma region has the country’s biggest indigenous forests. This is a fairyland of age-old forest giants, ferns and colourful birdlife. Products of the forests in
clude furniture made from the indigenous yellowwood, stinkwood and white pear, and are sought-after pieces. The tourism sector is perceived as the most important growth force in the
Western Cape.