South Africa is known for its unique flavor, which is due to the harmonious combination of unique architecture, unbridled nature and multinational population. South Africa has the most developed economy among African countries and occupies a relatively strong position in the world. It is also the only state in the world where there are officially three capitals.
The endowment in South Africa of three cities at the same time with the status of the capital occurred due to the fact that the country was originally a confederate state. The Union of South Africa was formed in 1910 from the Republic of South Africa, British possessions and the Orange Free State. For this reason, the authorities were distributed among the capitals of the countries that made it up. Thus, South Africa, renamed South Africa in 1961, became three official capitals: Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein.
Pretoria
This city acts as the administrative capital of the Republic of South Africa as it houses the country's government. It is located in the northeast of the state and is the center of the Gauteng province. Pretoria was founded in 1855 by the son of the commander-in-chief of the Boer settlers, Martinus Pretorius, after whom it was named.
During the infamous apartheid throughout the world, Pretoria was considered the citadel of this policy. Today, it is a modern and large city, with lush green parks and skyscrapers contrasting with dire slums. It is an important scientific, economic and commercial center of South Africa.
Cape Town
The second capital of South Africa, Cape Town, is located right on the Atlantic coast, next to the Cape of Good Hope. The history of the emergence of this city is not known for certain, since the first written evidence about it dates back only to 1497. Cape Town received the status of the capital of the British colonies in 1814, and 50 years later it began to grow actively due to the influx of immigrants who went to the diamond fields.
Cape Town is now recognized as one of the most beautiful cities in the world and one of the most visited places in South Africa. It covers an area of almost 2.5 thousand square meters, and is home to about 3.5 thousand people, among whom there is a fairly large white population. There is the Parliament of South Africa, an international airport, several marinas and ports of international importance.
Bloemfontein
The judicial capital of South Africa is Bloemfontein, located in the Free State province. It was officially founded in 1846 and 10 years later became the capital of the Orange Republic. Bloemfontein today represents a significant industrial sector in South Africa, in which the food, glass, metal, leather and tobacco industries are concentrated.
