George, South Africa

George
Clockwise from the top: George seen from the Outeniqua Pass, Kaaimans River Bridge, Moederkerk, Outeniqua Mountains and the Kingswood Estate, The Magistrates Office, and St Mark's Cathedral
Flag of George
Coat of arms of George
Motto: 
Semper Amabile (Latin: Always Lovely)
George is located in Western Cape
George
George
George is located in South Africa
George
George
George is located in Africa
George
George
Coordinates: 33°58′S 22°27′E / 33.967°S 22.450°E / -33.967; 22.450
Country South Africa
Province Western Cape
DistrictGarden Route
MunicipalityGeorge
Established1811[1]
Government
 • MayorLeon van Wyk (DA)
 • Deputy MayorRaybin Figland (DA)
Area
 • Total
77.4 km2 (29.9 sq mi)
Population
 (2020)[2]
 • Total
157,394
 • Density2,000/km2 (5,300/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
 • Black African9.2%
 • Coloured63.2%
 • Indian/Asian0.6%
 • White25.6%
 • Other1.4%
First languages (2011)
 • Afrikaans84.2%
 • Xhosa3%
 • English9.6%
 • Other3.2%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)
6529
PO box
6530
Area code044
Websitewww.george.gov.za

George is the second largest city in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The city is a popular holiday and conference centre, as well as the administrative and commercial hub and the seat of the Garden Route District Municipality. It is named after the British Monarch George III.

The city is situated roughly halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth on the Garden Route.[3] It is situated on a 10-kilometre plateau between the Outeniqua Mountains to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south. The former township of Pacaltsdorp, now a fully incorporated suburb, lies to the south.

George is well-known for being the burial place of former South African Prime Minister and President P. W. Botha.

  1. ^ Robson, Linda Gillian (2011). "Annexure A" (PDF). The Royal Engineers and settlement planning in the Cape Colony 1806–1872: Approach, methodology and impact (PhD thesis). University of Pretoria. pp. xlv–lii. hdl:2263/26503.
  2. ^ a b c d George from Census 2011.
  3. ^ "Welcome to George," The Garden Route (accessed: 27 January 2022)