George

#George The city of George is situated halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth and is the commercial hub of the Garden route. It is situated to the South of the Outeniqua Mountains and is within easy reach of a number of coastal villages.

The city was founded due to the timber industry and the availability of wood from the surrounding forests. After the forests of Cape Town were depleted, new sources were sought and ultimately found in the region of George. A timber mill was established in 1776 by the Dutch East Indies Company. After the second occupation by the British in 1806, it was decided that George should become a separate district with its own magistracy. On 23 April 1811 the town was proclaimed and named after the then ruling King George III of England. After the slump of ostrich farming and the severe drought in the Klein Karroo in the early 1800’s many sharecroppers moved over the mountains to the region of George and settled in the surrounding forests.

George has a sophisticated infrastructure. It also boasts a number of world class golf courses.