Durban
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| Durban | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Durban |
| Official name | eThekwini |
| Settlement type | Metropolitan Municipality |
| Coordinates | 29, 53, S, 31... |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | South Africa |
| Subdivision type1 | Province |
| Subdivision name1 | KwaZulu-Natal |
| Subdivision type2 | Municipality |
| Subdivision name2 | eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | 1835 |
| Founder | Francis Farewell |
| Named for | Benjamin D'Urban |
| Government type | Metropolitan municipality |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Mxolisi Kaunda |
| Area total km2 | 225.91 |
| Area metro km2 | 2291 |
| Elevation m | 22 |
| Population total | 595,061 |
| Population as of | 2011 |
| Population density km2 | auto |
| Population metro | 3,442,361 |
| Population density metro km2 | auto |
| Demographics type1 | Racial makeup (2011) |
| Demographics1 title1 | Black African |
| Demographics1 info1 | 51.1% |
| Demographics1 title2 | Coloured |
| Demographics1 info2 | 8.6% |
| Demographics1 title3 | Indian/Asian |
| Demographics1 info3 | 24.0% |
| Demographics1 title4 | White |
| Demographics1 info4 | 15.3% |
| Demographics1 title5 | Other |
| Demographics1 info5 | 1.0% |
| Demographics type2 | First languages (2011) |
| Demographics2 title1 | Zulu |
| Demographics2 info1 | 43.6% |
| Demographics2 title2 | English |
| Demographics2 info2 | 39.9% |
| Demographics2 title3 | Xhosa |
| Demographics2 info3 | 5.5% |
| Demographics2 title4 | Afrikaans |
| Demographics2 info4 | 3.4% |
| Demographics2 title5 | Other |
| Demographics2 info5 | 7.6% |
| Timezone1 | SAST |
| Utc offset1 | +2 |
| Postal code type | Postal code (street) |
| Postal code | 4001 |
| Area code type | Area code |
| Area code | 031 |
| Website | www.durban.gov.za |
Durban. A major coastal city and the busiest port in South Africa, it is the largest city in the KwaZulu-Natal province and forms part of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. Renowned for its warm Indian Ocean climate, expansive beaches like the Golden Mile, and vibrant multicultural character, it is a pivotal economic hub and a premier tourist destination. The city's rich history is marked by early interactions between British settlers, the Zulu Kingdom, and Indian indentured laborers, creating a unique cultural tapestry evident in its cuisine, architecture, and festivals.
History
The modern city's origins trace to 1824 when British traders from the Cape Colony, led by Francis Farewell, established a small settlement at Port Natal. Following conflicts with the Zulu Kingdom under Shaka and later Dingane, the area was annexed by the British Empire in 1844 and named for Benjamin D'Urban, the Governor of the Cape Colony. The arrival of indentured laborers from British India in 1860 to work on sugarcane plantations profoundly shaped its demographic and cultural landscape. Significant 20th-century developments included its role as a key port during the Second Boer War, the growth of Indian political activism led by figures like Mahatma Gandhi, and the implementation of apartheid policies which spatially divided the city, creating townships such as KwaMashu and Umlazi. The city hosted the 2001 World Conference against Racism and was a venue for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Geography and climate
Situated on the east coast of South Africa, the city occupies a large natural bay on the Indian Ocean, with topography ranging from flat coastal plains to rolling hills of the KwaZulu-Natal interior. The Umgeni River flows through the northern parts of the metropolitan area into the ocean. It experiences a humid subtropical climate characterized by hot, humid summers and mild, dry winters, with most rainfall occurring in the summer months. The warm waters of the Agulhas Current contribute to its high humidity and support a diverse marine ecosystem. The metropolitan area includes significant green spaces such as the Durban Botanic Gardens and is bordered by the Valley of a Thousand Hills.
Demographics and culture
The population is one of the most ethnically diverse in South Africa, with the largest concentration of people of Indian descent outside of India. Major ethnic groups include Zulu, Indian, White, and Coloured communities. This diversity is reflected in its linguistic landscape, where Zulu and English are predominant, alongside Afrikaans, Tamil, Hindi, and Gujarati. Cultural life is vibrant, with major events including the Durban International Film Festival, the colorful Durban July horse race at Greyville Racecourse, and extensive Diwali and Eid al-Fitr celebrations. The city is a global center for contemporary bunny chow cuisine and is a heartland for kwaito and maskandi music.
Economy
The economy is anchored by the Port of Durban, the busiest shipping terminal in Sub-Saharan Africa and a critical gateway for trade to the Gauteng province and landlocked nations like Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Major industries include manufacturing, particularly automotive assembly linked to companies like Toyota South Africa Motors, sugar refining, and chemicals. The city is a key node for finance and business process outsourcing, with a growing information technology sector. Tourism is a major contributor, driven by beach tourism, conferences at the Durban International Convention Centre, and sporting events at venues like Kings Park Stadium.
Government and politics
The city is governed by the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, a unicameral metropolitan council headed by a mayor, currently Mxolisi Kaunda. The municipality is an administrative division of the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government, led by the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal. Politically, the area has been a stronghold of the African National Congress (ANC) since the end of apartheid, though it faces significant opposition from the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters. Key municipal council|African National Congress (ANC) since the end of apartheid, though thekwini Metropolitan Municipality|eThekwini Metropolitan municipality|Government and politics in South Africa and politics|Premier and politics in South Africa and politics|Durbanism and politics of South Africa|Natal|Natal and politics|Premier and politics|Premier and thekwini Metropolitan Municipality|African National Party|African National Party|African National Party|African National Party (South Africa)|Durban and politics in South Africa|Premier and politics|Democratic Republic of Durban Municipality and politics|DurbanismunicMunicipolisi Kaunda Municipalities|Municipolisi Kaunda and tourism|Durban and politics|Durban and politics|Durban and politics of Durban Municipalities and politics|Premier and politics in South Africa|Durban and politics of South Africa|Durban and politics|Durban and politics of the Congo|Durban and politics of Durban and politics|Durban and politics of Durban and politics of Durban and politics|Natal|African National Party|South African|Premier, the Congo|Premier City of Durban and politics of Durban and politics of Durban Municipalities and the Congo|African National Party|Durban and politics of|South Africa and tourism|African National Party|Durban and politics|Durban and politics of politics of politics of politics of politics of politics of politics of politics of politics of politics of politics of politics of politics of politics of politics of politics of politics of politics of politics of politics of politics of politics of politics of thekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa and tourism|Durban Municipality, the politics of Durban|Durban.gov. The city|Durban and climate == Landmarks and tourism|Durban politics of Durban and tourism|South Africa|Natal and politics|Natal|South Africa|South Africa|African National Cricket Stadium, The city|South Africa|African National Congress and tourism|Durban and politics|South Africa|Africa and tourism|South Africa|Zimbabwe, the Congo|African Nationalism, Africa|African Nationalism and politics of Durban Municipality|South Africa|South Africa|South Africa and politics|Zulu-Natal