The Cape Peninsula is recognised nationally and internationally as an area of outstanding natural
beauty and unique diversity. The Cape Floral Kingdom being one of only six floral Kingdoms in the world,
with the Cape Peninsula home to a quarter of the species of this entire Kingdom - 2285 in
all.
South African National Parks began negotiations with 14 different authorities and many private
stakeholders in 1996 and in 1998 the announcement of the Table Mountain National Park, from the base of
Signal Hill to Cape Point, was finally made. This area is now managed on behalf of all South Africans, by
the South African National Parks.
With 174 of its plant species on the threatened list and its world-renowned natural beauty this made a
sound foundation to apply for World Heritage Status in 1999.
This South Western most tip of the African continent has many unique features. A winter rainfall area
with a typically Mediterranean climate, mountains rising to over 1000 metres above the rugged coastline
below, white sandy beaches - a cold ocean on the west with the warmer waters on the east - this place
surely is worthy of being referred to as "The fairest Cape in all the world".. (ref. Sir Francis
Drake.)
Most who make their way South to visit this Jewel in South Africa's crown, soon return with friends
or family to share an experience which celluloid, plastic and silicone chips can scarcely
do justice.
RENOSTERVELD
Is named for the grey-looking renosterbos,
meaning rhinoceros bush, the most prevalent shrub in
the area.
WESTERN STRANDVELD
Along the coast of the Peninsula, on
the alkaline sands of marine beds, grows a coastal vegetation,
fynbos.
LOWLAND FYNBOS
A few patches of lowland fynbos survive
on the Peninsula, characterized by the restios and ericas,
two of the main components of fynbos.
STREAMS, LAKES & WETLANDS
A number of streams, some perennial,
others only flowing in winter, run down the mountain
slopes of the Peninsula towards the sea.
OCEAN AND SHORE
The Cape Peninsula's coastline extends
from Table Bay, south to Cape Point and east along False
Bay.
AFROMONTANE FOREST
Evergreen indigenous afromontane forest
- not to be confused with tracts of cultivated pine
and eucaplyptus plantations, grows in riverine gorges
on the moist southern and eastern slopes of Table Mountain.
MOUNTAIN FYNBOS
The largest area of the Cape Peninsula,
by far, is covered with mountain fynbos.
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