Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa has been ranked as the second-best city in the world this year according to a survey of major world cities by Timeout, a global media and hospitality business.
This accolade solidifies Cape Town’s position as the second-largest city in South Africa and this is yet another global triumph for the country.
According to Business Insider Africa, Timeout based its survey of the best cities on cities with buzzing neighborhoods, affordable food and drink, and a mighty selection of things to do, from art galleries and museums to live music, theatre, the happiness of its locals, access to green space, and strong community vibes.
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The media and hospitality company curated a list of the 50 best cities in the world in terms of the above qualities and Cape Town South Africa came in at number 2 second only to New York in the United States.
How Timeout Came Up With Their Ranking
They collaborated with the research firm Potentia Insight to determine their ranking. They conducted surveys with numerous urban residents regarding the quality and cost-effectiveness of food, culture, and nightlife in their city.
They also enquired about the happiness of the residents in the city asking questions like “Is it a beautiful place? Is it easy to make social connections?” etc.
Thousands of answers provided a unique perspective on the reality of living in some of the biggest cities in the world today.
Based on the survey methodology, Cape Town scored high across the board with 100% of the residents saying the city is attractive and makes them happy.
In addition to that Cape Town’s culture scene is ranked first in the world for quality.
The citizens pondered over the magnificence of Cape Town, spanning from the cliffs of the Cape Peninsula to the verdant vineyards of the Winelands and the historic landmarks of the city.
It serves as a point of pride for South Africa, being one of the top three largest economies in Africa.
More Interesting Facts About Cape Town
- Cape Town is the capital and primate city of the Western Cape province.
- The city is famous for its harbor, for its natural setting in the Cape Floristic Region, and for such well-known landmarks as Table Mountain and Cape Point.
- As of 2014, it is the 10th most populous city in Africa and home to 64% of the Western Cape’s population.
- It is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, reflecting its role as a major destination for immigrants and expatriates to South Africa.
- The city was named the World Design Capital for 2014 by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design.
- Located on the shore of Table Bay, Cape Town was first developed by the Dutch East India Company as a victualling (supply) station for Dutch ships sailing to East Africa, India, and the Far East.
- Jan van Riebeeck’s arrival on 6 April 1652 established the first permanent European settlement in South Africa. Cape Town quickly outgrew its original purpose as the first European outpost at the Castle of Good Hope, becoming the economic and cultural hub of the Cape Colony.
- Until the Witwatersrand Gold Rush and the development of Johannesburg, Cape Town was the largest city in South Africa.
Cape Town also provides an experience that is as varied as it is captivating, whether you want to go on a safari trip in the neighboring game reserves or explore the cobblestone alleyways of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.
Tourists can visit the District Six Museum, Robben Island, and the colorful homes of Bo-Kaap, amongst other attractions that litter the city providing breathtaking experiences for the senses.
The city’s economy is fuelled by tourists using dollars to support businesses in townships and other areas.
What You Should Also Know About Cape Town
Aside from Cape Town being the second-largest city, after Johannesburg, and the largest in the Western Cape. The city is part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality.
Cape Town received over 2.6 million international passengers and tourists arrived and departed from Cape Town International Airport in 2019. The Number dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic but has picked up ever since.
