Cape Town, 1849 (lithograph)

Cape Town, initially founded by the Dutch in 1652, saw British control in 1795, returned briefly to the Dutch in 1802, then permanently ceded to Britain in 1815. Nestled on the picturesque Table Bay shores, flanked by Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, Cape Town boasts stunning scenery with rugged mountains, fertile plains, and vibrant blue waters. Its population of about 21,000, mainly Christian, enjoys orderly streets and Dutch-style architecture. Serving as a thriving port, Cape Town sees frequent maritime traffic. Ongoing infrastructure developments underscore its status as a vital and evolving colony, offering promising prospects for growth and prosperity. DIGITIZED RESOURCE CONTAINS COLONIAL-ERA MATERIALS WITH POTENTIALLY OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE AND ATTITUDES. APPROACH WITH HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND DISCRETION