Durban

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Durban is a vibrant cosmopolitian city in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. It has a population of about 4 million people with diverse cultures including a large Indian community.

Durban is primarily a 'holiday city'/beach resort, but at the same time is South Africa's busiest container port and has a substantial industrial sector. The port is one of the worlds largest natural deep water ports.

Durban International Airport provides air transportation for the city. There are plans to move the location of the airport to La Mercy, a site north of the metro area not too far from Gateway, one of the largest shopping centres in the Southern Hemisphere.

The long continuous stretch of hotels that line the city's beachfront is known as Durban's Golden Mile.

Table of contents

1 History
2 Places of Interest
3 Famous References
4 External link

History

In 1497, Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama anchored at present day Durban and named it Rio De Natal (Christmas River), later changed to Port Natal.

In 1823, British settlers established a permanent settlement. In 1835, Port Natal was renamed Durban in honor of then Cape Colony Governor, Sir Benjamin D'Urban.

Outside of the city centre is the Valley of a Thousand Hills a dramatic geographical rock formation created by the Mngeni River and it's tributaries.

Places of Interest

Roma Revolving Restaurant, similar to London's Post Office Tower [although smaller in scale], is a prominant building from the port with, as the name suggests, a rotating circular restaurant room that provides 360 degree views of the city, but is sadly dated.

Sea World Education Centre - currently closed - a new centre is being created in a different part of the sea front.

The port and waterfront, City Hall, Durban Horse Race Course, Berea, Umhlanga Rocks.

Famous References

Mohandas Gandhi, India's famous political and symbolic figure (who fought for his country's independence from Britain) worked as a lawyer in Durban and stayed in the country for 20 years.

External link

Durban.co.za

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