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Awaiting Your Return From Shore |
Port Elizabeth
is the third largest port and the fifth largest city in South Africa. The
center is spread over steep hills overlooking Algoa Bay.
Except for some interesting historical architecture, 21st-century Port
Elizabeth, or PE as it is commonly known, has few attractions of note. To
compensate, the town is surrounded by charming countryside; it bills itself
as the Friendly City.
Its origins go back to the site of Fort Frederick around which settlers
from Britain established Port Elizabeth in 1820. The name was given by Sir
Rufane Donkin, acting governor of the Cape, in commemoration of his wife who
had died in India. Port Elizabeth soon began to thrive on the commercial
opportunities opened by the escalating warfare between the British and the
Xhosa people.
The town became rich through trade and erected grand public buildings in
the 1850s. It did not become a major city until the late 19th century, when
farming in the frontier region became sufficiently established to create a
supply of meat, maize and wool for export to Cape Town and beyond. Angora
wool especially helped establish the town’s fortune. In 1920, PE entered
big-time commerce when Ford Motors opened a plant here.
Other enterprises followed, bringing a massive influx of Xhosa workers.
Due to the political unrest in the 1980s, many companies left the city.
Coupled with South Africa’s recent recession, this has caused a downturn of
the city’s fortunes.
Port Elizabeth’s sights are split between the areas of the old port, the
sea front and the beaches. The main attractions lie inland, including the
game reserves. The Addo Elephant National Park is the most famous and
popular destination for visitors to Port Elizabeth. |
Awaiting Your Return
From Shore |
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Complimentary
Spirits Await |
Return to Your
Suite and Sail Away to The Next Adventure |
Entertainment
and Dancing Await You |
