Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch is the second oldest European settlement in South Africa (after Cape Town), is located in the Western Cape Province.It is about 50 Km from Cape Town and has a population of around 90 000 [1] (2000AD), not counting students. Stellenbosch is rapidly merging with surrounding urban settlements.
The town is also home to the University of Stellenbosch, known affectionately as "Maties", which was founded as the Stellenbosch Gymnasium in 1866. The name "Maties" arises from the red (Tomato coloured) rugby colors.
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2 History 3 Notes 4 External links |
The Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschoek valleys form the Cape Winelands, the largest of two wine growning regions in South Africa. The South African wine industry produces about 10 million hectolitres of wine annually. Stellenbosch is the primary location for viticulture and viticulture research.
The Stellenbosch wine route, established in 1971 is world renowned and a common tourist destination.
The area has a Mediterranean climate, with hot summers, cool winters and clear, sunny skies. It is at the start of the Cape Fold mountains, which have created soil favourable to vines. Grapes are grown primarily for wine, not table grapes.
The town was founded in 1679 by the Cape Governor Simon van der Stel, who named it after himself. Stellenbosch means "Stel's Bush". It was founded on the Eerste Rivier "First River", the first river one reaches when travelling from Cape Town.
The town grew so fast that it became an independent local authority in 1682 and the seat of a magistrate with jurisdiction over 25.000 square kilometres in 1685.
Soon after the first settlers arrived, grapes were planted in the fertile valleys around Stellenbosch and soon it became the centre of the South African wine industry.
Until recently the wealthy wine growing nature of the area meant that it had a large Gini coefficient, although this is changing.
Wine
History
Notes
External links