George

George, South Africa

George, town, Western Cape province, South Africa. The town lies distantly east of Cape Town and immediately inland from the Indian Ocean. It was founded in 1811 as the first British settlement in the Cape Colony and named after King George III, as was George Peak nearby. Hops, not otherwise grown in South Africa, are cultivated in the area. Boats, shoes, and furniture are manufactured in the town. George serves as an educational and service centre for the surrounding rural area. It has a mild and equable climate and is traditionally a place of retirement. Pop. (2001) town, 78,154; mun., 135,407.