African Cities Timeline
Discover the rich history and development of African cities from ancient settlements to modern metropolises
Cape Town
South Africa Western Cape
Location
-33.92, 18.42Legislative capital and oldest city, center of government and modern culture.
Economic Role
Political capital, government services, financial center, regional trade hub.
Stellenbosch
South Africa Western Cape
Location
-33.93, 18.87Historic city, center of wine production and local culture.
Economic Role
Wine industry, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Paarl
South Africa Western Cape
Location
-33.72, 18.97Wine city, center of wine production and local culture.
Economic Role
Wine industry, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Plettenberg Bay
South Africa Western Cape
Location
-34.05, 23.37Coastal town, center of tourism and local culture.
Economic Role
Tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
George
South Africa Western Cape
Location
-33.97, 22.45Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Grahamstown
South Africa Eastern Cape
Location
-33.30, 26.53Historic city, center of colonial heritage and local culture.
Economic Role
Cultural heritage, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Port Elizabeth
South Africa Eastern Cape
Location
-33.96, 25.60Port city, center of maritime trade and local culture.
Economic Role
Port services, maritime trade, regional commerce, local trade.
Worcester
South Africa Western Cape
Location
-33.65, 19.43Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Durban
South Africa KwaZulu-Natal
Location
-29.86, 31.02Port city, center of maritime trade and local culture.
Economic Role
Port services, maritime trade, regional commerce, local trade.
Knysna
South Africa Western Cape
Location
-34.03, 23.03Coastal town, center of tourism and local culture.
Economic Role
Tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Klerksdorp
South Africa North West
Location
-26.87, 26.67Mining city, center of gold production and local culture.
Economic Role
Mining industry, gold production, regional commerce, local trade.
Pietermaritzburg
South Africa KwaZulu-Natal
Location
-29.60, 30.38Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Potchefstroom
South Africa North West
Location
-26.72, 27.10Administrative center, known for local culture and agriculture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, agricultural processing, regional trade, local commerce.
Bloemfontein
South Africa Free State
Location
-29.12, 26.22Judicial capital, center of legal system and local culture.
Economic Role
Judicial center, legal services, regional trade, local commerce.
East London
South Africa Eastern Cape
Location
-33.03, 27.85Port city, center of maritime trade and local culture.
Economic Role
Port services, maritime trade, regional commerce, local trade.
Oudtshoorn
South Africa Western Cape
Location
-33.58, 22.20Ostrich city, center of ostrich farming and local culture.
Economic Role
Agricultural center, ostrich farming, regional commerce, local trade.
Mossel Bay
South Africa Western Cape
Location
-34.18, 22.13Coastal town, center of fishing and tourism.
Economic Role
Fishing industry, tourism hub, regional commerce, local trade.
Jeffreys Bay
South Africa Eastern Cape
Location
-34.05, 24.92Coastal town, center of surfing and tourism.
Economic Role
Tourism hub, surfing destination, regional commerce, local trade.
Rustenburg
South Africa North West
Location
-25.67, 27.25Mining city, center of platinum production and local culture.
Economic Role
Mining industry, platinum production, regional commerce, local trade.
Hermanus
South Africa Western Cape
Location
-34.42, 19.23Coastal town, center of whale watching and tourism.
Economic Role
Tourism hub, whale watching, regional commerce, local trade.
Pretoria
South Africa Gauteng
Location
-25.75, 28.23Administrative capital, center of government and local culture.
Economic Role
Administrative center, government services, regional trade, local commerce.