Western Cape

Western Cape, province in southwestern South Africa, bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the west, the Indian Ocean on the south, and by Northern Cape and Eastern Cape provinces on the north and east. Created in 1994 from part of Cape Province, one of the four former South African provinces, Western Cape covers about 129,370 sq km (about 49,950 sq mi).

Western Cape can be divided into three climatic zones. The western region, around Cape Town, has dry summers and rainy winters (from May to August); the average annual rainfall in Cape Town totals 510 mm (20 in). The southern section of the province, along the Indian Ocean, receives some rain throughout the year; the average annual rainfall at Mossel Bay (Mosselbaai), a town in the southern region, totals 380 mm (15 in). The third climatic zone is the interior of Western Cape, which contains the Great Karoo, a large, flat, sparsely vegetated plateau that is dry most of the year (see Karoo). Overlooking Cape Town is the magnificent backdrop of Table Mountain (1,086 m/ 3,563 ft). A chain of mountain ranges, including the Outeniekwaberge, Hexrivierberge, Cederberg, and Tsitsikammaberge ranges, separates the coastal areas from the interior. Average temperatures in Western Cape range from 16° to 32° C (60° to 90° F) in the summer and from 7° to 18° C (44° to 64° F) in the winter.

The population of Western Cape was 4,645,600 in 2005. People of mixed racial descent make up the majority of the population. Afrikaans, English, and Xhosa are the three primary languages spoken in the province. Most residents are Christians, but the province has a large Muslim community, including many Indians. Founded in 1652, Cape Town is the province's capital and largest city, as well as the legislative capital of South Africa. Other important towns include Beaufort West, George, Oudtshoorn, Saldanha Bay, Stellenbosch, and Worcester. Important cultural and historical sites in the province include Groot Constantia, home of Simon van der Stel, one of the Dutch governors of the Cape Colony (later Cape Province); Groote Schuur, located in Cape Town, the official residence of South Africa's president and formerly the home of Cecil Rhodes, who was prime minister of the Cape Colony from 1890 until 1896; the Castle, a Dutch colonial administrative center begun in 1665 and the oldest building in Cape Town; Genadendal, the first mission station established in South Africa; and Robben Island, the site of a notorious prison that housed South Africa's most famous antiapartheid political prisoners. Western Province has three universities: the University of Cape Town (founded as South African College in 1829; established as a university in 1918), the University of Stellenbosch (1918), and the University of the Western Cape (1960).

Textiles, fishing, and printing and publishing rank as Western Cape's most important industries. The province is also an important farming region, producing wheat and fruits such as apples, grapes, peaches, and oranges. Wine is produced in Western Cape, as well. The Karoo has many sheep ranches and is noted for its wool production. Ostrich farms around Oudtshoorn make the area a famous source of ostrich feathers. The waters off the Atlantic coast provide a rich fishing ground.

The government of Western Cape consists of a premier, an executive council of ministers, and a legislature. The provincial assembly and premier are elected for five-year terms, or until the next national election. Political parties are awarded assembly seats based on the percentage of votes each party receives in the province during the national elections. The assembly elects a premier, who then appoints the members of the executive council.