Durban

Durban (Zulu: eThekwini, from itheku meaning 'bay') is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in the country^{[citation needed]}. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism because of the city's warm subtropical climate and extensive beaches. The municipality, which includes neighbouring towns, has a population of almost 4.5 million,^[1] making the combined municipality the biggest city on the east coast of the African continent. The metropolitan land area of 2,292 square kilometres (885 sq mi) is comparatively larger than other South African cities, resulting in a somewhat lower population density of 1,513 /km² (3,920 /sq mi).^[2]



Archaeological evidence from the Drakensberg mountains suggests that the Durban area has been inhabited by communities of hunter-gatherers since 100,000 BC. These people lived throughout the area of present day KwaZulu-Natal until the expansion of Bantu farmers and pastoralists from the north saw their gradual displacement,incorporation or extermination.
Little is known of the history of the first residents, as there is no written history of the area until it was sighted by Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, who sailed parallel to the KwaZulu-Natal coast at Christmastide in 1497 while searching for a route from Europe to India. He named the area "Natal", or Christmas in Portuguese.^[3]

First European settlers

The modern city of Durban dates from 1824, when a party of 25 men under British Lieutenant F. G. Farewell arrived from the Cape Colony and established a settlement on the northern shore of the Bay of Natal, near today's Farewell Square. Accompanying Farewell was an adventurer named Henry Francis Fynn. Fynn was able to befriend the Zulu King Shaka by helping him to recover from a stab wound he suffered in battle. As a token of Shaka's gratitude, he granted Fynn a "30-mile strip of coast a hundred miles in depth."^[4]

Historical architecture in Durban; Durban City Hall.

During a meeting of 35 European residents in Fynn's territory on 23 June 1835, it was decided to build a capital town and name it "d'Urban" after Sir Benjamin d'Urban, then governor of the Cape Colony.^[5]

 Durban Tourist Attractions

 

Main article: Tourism in South Africa

• The Golden Mile
• Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World
• The Victoria Embankment (also known as The Esplanade) is home to many tourist sites.
• The International Convention Centre (ICC) – the leading conference centre in Africa for the last 5 years, and rated 4th in the world in 2005.
• uShaka Marine World, one of the largest Aquariums in the world.
• Sahara Stadium Kingsmead is a major test match and one-day cricket venue.
• Kings Park Stadium (Previously known for sponsorship reasons as ABSA Stadium) is host to the internationally renowned Sharks Rugby Team.
• Gateway Theatre of Shopping
• Greyville Racecourse (home of the Durban July Handicap) and Durban Country Club and golf course.
• Umgeni River Bird Park
• The Markets of Warwick - possibly the Largest informal street market in South Africa

^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durban}