The Eastern Cape is the second largest of South Africa’s nine provinces. The landscape is so diverse, it ranges from the dry desolate Great Karoo to the steamy forests of the Wild Coast and the Keiskamma Valley, whilst being cradled by the mountainous southern Drakensberg. The shoreline of this province extends from the Umtamvuna River in KwaZulu-Natal, to the Storms River mouth on the scenic Garden Route, in the west, and stretching inland, to the north, bordering on Lesotho. Today, the Eastern Cape incorporates the previously independent `homelands’ of the Ciskei and Transkei. Despite its colonial past, the Eastern Cape remains the home of the Xhosa-speaking people of South Africa. With its almost seven million people, the Eastern Cape has the third-largest provincial population, living on about 169 600 km2 of land.
The Eastern Cape climate is a year-round holiday climate. The coastal regions enjoy hot summers and moderate winters, whilst the Northern regions are much cooler. Certain areas receive rain throughout the year, albeit erratic.
The Eastern Cape allows one the opportunity to surf the biggest waves, go on a “Big 7” safari, ski down the only snow slopes in South Africa, bungee jump the highest bridge in the Southern Hemisphere and also visit the birthplace of Nelson Mandela.
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