Isn’t it remarkable how Table Mountain stands as South Africa’s most photographed landmark? This mountain is part of the Table Mountain National Park. The park is visited by 4.2 million people each year.
Table Mountain was named Africa’s leading tourist attraction for four years straight. The indigenous Khoisan people called it Hoerikwaggo. This means Mountain in the Sea.
Table Mountain is one of the oldest mountains in the world. It is believed to be about 240 million years old. The Table Mountain National Park is approximately 25 000 hectares in size.
Each year around 900 000 visitors ascend this natural wonder. Table Mountain is the only South African and only natural site with a constellation of stars named after it. The constellation is called Mensa. Mensa means table in Latin.
Once, Table Mountain was four times higher than it is today. The highest point now stands at 1 086 metres above sea level. This point is called Maclear’s Beacon. Maclear’s Beacon was named after the man who built a stone cairn there in 1865. The beacon aided a trigonometric survey.
The rocks at the base of Table Mountain are shale. The rocks on the western side are Cape granite.
There are about 350 trails to reach the top of Table Mountain. These trails include approximately 160 kilometres of cycling tracks. The most common animal found on the mountain is the rock hyrax. It resembles a guinea pig.
The cableway was built in 1929. Initially, it could transport 25 people. Today, the cableway can accommodate 70 people per trip.
Fresh spring water from Table Mountain was a resource for passing ships. It was transported via canals now hidden beneath Cape Town’s streets. The City of Cape Town exists because of Table Mountain’s freshwater supply. Without the Platteklip stream, Cape Town would be in Langebaan.
Table Mountain proves romantic. More than 80 couples have taken their marriage vows on top.
Table Mountain National Park is rich in floral biodiversity. It is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom World Heritage Site. The park has an amazing 8 200 plant species. Around 80% of these are fynbos. The British Isles are three-and-a-half times the size of the park but have fewer plant species.
Many plants in the park are endemic. They occur nowhere else on earth. There are 1 406 threatened plant species. 300 are endangered or critically endangered. 29 plant species have already become extinct.
Table Mountain is featured on Cape Town’s flag and logo. The mountain got its name because of its flat top.
The original cable car had a capacity of 25 people. Today it can carry 60 visitors to the top.
The rocks of Table Mountain are approximately 600 million years old. The Cape Point part of the Table Mountain National Park is rich in cultural and natural heritage. It is one of South Africa’s top tourist destinations. It is the only section of the park that is fenced. Visitors can see Eland, Red Hartebeest, Bontebok and Zebra there.
At Cape Point, visitors can see two lighthouses. One is still fully functional. It is accessible by foot or the Flying Dutchman funicular.
The Cape of Good Hope section of the park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. It offers hiking, surfing, angling, picnicking, beaching and cycling.
Boulders Penguin Colony in Simonstown is home to an endangered land-based colony of African Penguins.
Signal Hill offers excellent views of the City and harbour. It is from here that the noon day gun marks midday in Cape Town.
The Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area is home to the marine Big Five. This includes the Great White Shark and the Southern Right Whale.
The mountains and seas of the Table Mountain National Park drive the regional tourist economy.
Remember Table Mountain’s rich history next time you see it gracing the skyline. Its unique geology contributes to the mountain’s iconic flat top.