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Nov 24, 2009: 10 things you didn't know about PE
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Nov 24, 2009:
We all know and love PE as that town we stop at along the Garden Route. But, as most residents would argue, there is much more to Port Elizabeth than just beaches and Sea World.
So we thought we would take a little trip through PE fact land and learn a bit more. Enjoy!
1. Port Elizabeth was founded when just over 4 000 British Settlers arrived by sea, hopped off the ship and claimed the bay as their own. The city became home to the first permanent British residents of our country. Oh, and you guessed it, these were the now famous 1820 settlers.
2. PE got its name from Sir Rufane Donkin, the Acting Governor of the Cape Colony in 1820. He gave the port the name of his late wife, Elizabeth. Luckily he wasn't an egotist or we'd all be talking about Port Rufane right now.
3. PE is home to the world's only monument to Prester John. A tad confused? I was too, which is not surprising as the few people who actually believed in his existence all died several hundred years ago. Between the 12th and 17th Centuries, the mythical Prester John was believed to be the white ruler of a Christian republic hidden somewhere amongst the pagans and the Muslims in the undiscovered lands. First believed to be in Asia, the Portuguese then ‘discovered' Prester John in Africa, spurning many explorers to confidently forge ahead into Africa, convinced that they would find a Christian ally waiting for them with open arms. You can find the monument adjacent to City Hall.
4. Shockingly, there is more than one Port Elizabeth in the world. Another PE is located in New Jersey in the United States of America. But if you Google ‘Port Elizabeth' - the first 10 results relate to our PE. Clearly the SA version is the best one.
5. Believe it or not, PE is actually South Africa's second largest city - with regards to its area at least. In terms of population, it's the fifth largest. This probably means that it's a pretty spacious, pleasant place to live.
6. PE used to be called the 10-minute city, because - you guessed it - you can get anywhere in 10 minutes or less. But not anymore, as things have grown and gotten busier, it will now take you 20 minutes to get somewhere. So PE is now officially a 20 minute city. Unless you get stuck in traffic...
7. While famous for its beaches, PE is also quite a wild place. No, not in terms of nightlife, we meant wildlife. There are many reserves where you can go game spotting including the Addo Elephant Park that is dedicated to the preservation of the Eastern Cape Elephant and the Cape Buffalo. And the best part? PE is closer than the Kruger and completely Malaria free.
8. Port Elizabeth is known as the windy city, but according to climatologists (you know, the experts), PE is actually the least windy coastal city in the whole of South Africa.
9. PE has many beauties, including being lovely and green all year round. So green in fact that PE can make the claim to fame that it is home to more indigenous plant species than the entire British Isles. True story.
10. PE also has nice weather. The highest recorded temperature was 41°C and the lowest recorded temperature ever was just -1.Source: News24.com - www.news24.com
Tags: port elizabeth garden route port elizabeth pe beaches port elizabeth wildlife addo elephant park pe eastern cape elephant port elizabeth guest accommodation addo accommodation eastern cape guest houses addo nature reserve port elizabeth
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