Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch is the second oldest European settlement in South Africa (after Cape Town), and forms part of the Western Cape Province.
History
The town was founded in 1679 by the Cape Governor Simon van der Stel, who named it after himself.
The town grew so fast that it became an independent local authority in 1682 and the seat of a magistrate with jurisdiction over 25.000 square kilometres in 1685.
Soon after the first settlers arrived, grapes were planted in the fertile valleys around Stellenbosch and soon it became the centre of the South African wine industry.
The town is also home to the University of Stellenbosch, known affectionately as "Maties", which was founded as the Stellenbosch Gymnasium in 1866.
In 1971 the world-renowned Stellenbosch Wine Route was established.
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Referenced By
History of Cape Colony from 1870 to 1899 | List of wine producing regions | Wine Producing Regions | Wine growing regions
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