Port Elizabeth South Africa Cruise Port Guide

center is spread over steep hills overlooking Algoa Bay.

Except for some interesting historical architecture, 21st-century Port Elizabeth, or PE as it is commonly known, has few attractions of note. To compensate, the town is surrounded by charming countryside; it bills itself as the Friendly City.

Its origins go back to the site of Fort Frederick around which settlers from Britain established Port Elizabeth in 1820. The name was given by Sir Rufane Donkin, acting governor of the Cape, in commemoration of his wife who had died in India. Port Elizabeth soon began to thrive on the commercial opportunities opened by the escalating warfare between the British and the The town became rich through trade and erected grand public buildings in the 1850s. It did not become a major city until the late 19th century, when farming in the frontier region became sufficiently established to create a supply of meat, maize and wool for export to Cape Town and beyond. Angora wool especially helped establish the town's fortune. In 1920, PE entered big-time commerce when Ford Motors opened a plant here.

Other enterprises followed, bringing a massive influx of Xhosa workers.

Due to the political unrest in the 1980s, many companies left the city.

Coupled with South Africa's recent recession, this has caused a downturn of the city's fortunes.

Port Elizabeth's sights are split between the areas of the old port, the sea front and the beaches. The main attractions lie inland, including the game reserves. The Addo Elephant National Park is the most famous and popular destination for visitors to Port Elizabeth.