Nuclear accelerator on table mountain, south africa. Table Mountain National Park (South Africa). Where is Table Mountain National Park located?
In Table Bay National Park, rises unusual mountain with a flat top. This Table Mountain - business card South Africa adorning the flag of Cape Town. The attraction is included in the UNESCO World List of Specially Protected Natural Sites, and its flat top is one of the ten most visited tourist sites in the world.
Table Mountain is considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It is surrounded by pointed rocks. The mountain rises 1085 m above sea level. Its surface seems to have been cut with a sharp knife, it is impossible to imagine, but it was the hot wind of Africa that polished the top in such a plane. The composition of the mountain is coarse-grained sandstone and quartzite, its slopes are covered with evergreen shrubs and forests, which are home to rare representatives of flora and fauna, many of them are endemic (found only in this area).
A remarkable feature of the National Park in Cape Town is that it is located at the meeting point of two ocean currents - the cold Atlantic and warm Indian. For this reason, fog often hangs in the local area, shrouding the mountains and peaks in a giant milky tablecloth. IN National Park includes attractions such as:
- Table Mountain;
- boulders beach;
- Cape Pont;
- cape Good Hope;
- mountain peaks - Twelve Apostles, Devil, Lion's Head.
Historians have found that people inhabited the foot of Table Mountain more than 12 thousand years ago, and its discoverer among Europeans was the navigator Antonio de Saldanha from Portugal in 1503. He carved a large cross on the mountainside, which in those centuries was covered with huge trees, and it can still be seen today. People from Saldanha's ship set up the first settlement in these places - a fortress-fort.
Physically strong people can climb Table Mountain along paved hiking trails. The mountain is also ideal for rock climbing. And those who do not want to subject themselves to stress can use the funicular. The cable car was built in 1929 and has been reconstructed many times. Modern cabins rotate 360 degrees along the way for an absolute view of stunning panoramic views.
At the top, tourists will find telescopes for viewing the panorama, souvenir shops and a restaurant. At sunset, you can enjoy a stunning South African sunset when the sun sinks into the ocean and the horizon and water merge. It is not clear where the water ends and the sky begins. The Cape Town sunset is considered one of the most magnificent on the planet.
Table Mountain V national park South Africa is a true miracle. Standing on its top, you will be imbued with the realization that you are on the southernmost point of the African continent, the Cape of Good Hope lies under your feet, and somewhere nearby the “Flying Dutchman” is rocking on the waves, doomed to forever plow the seas and oceans.
Table Mountain National Park National Park) is located in the Western Cape Province of South Africa near the town of Cape Town. Its area is 221 sq. km. Table Mountain, located in the reserve, is one of the oldest on the planet. Its age is estimated at 360 million years. It got its name due to the shape of the top, which is a flat platform from a distance that looks like a large table. The height of the mountain is 1,086 m above sea level. Archaeological finds have confirmed that people have lived in this area for about 12,000 years.
Table Mountain National Park attracts travelers primarily because of its beautiful landscapes and a large variety of plants. It is included in the list of objects World Heritage UNESCO.
History of creation
The first European to see Table Mountain was a resident of Portugal, Antonio de Saldanha, back in 1503. It was he who gave it its name, and also carved a large cross on the top of the Lion’s Head, which can still be seen today.
Discussions about creating a protected natural area began back in the 1930s. The Table Mountain Preservation Council was created in 1952, and in 1957 it was declared a national monument. It was only on May 29, 1998 that this area received national park status.
Animal and plant life
From a distance it may seem that Table Mountain looks lifeless, but this is not the case at all. Of course, there are no Big Five animals here, but visitors will be amazed by the diversity of fauna. Here you can find: Cape mountain zebras, caracals, genets, Cape domans, porcupines, baboons, antelopes (klipspringer, grysbok, duiker, stenbok. Eland, bontebok. Red hartebeest), roe deer antelopes, mongooses and other mammals.
The park is home to about 22 species of snakes, of which 12 are poisonous (Cape cobra, boomslang, etc.).
There are not so many birds compared to the eastern and northern reserves, but still their number is quite large. This is facilitated by the diversity of habitats (ocean, rocks, coastline, forest). Some of the birds are endemic to South Africa. Visitors will be able to see: African penguins, woodpecker, paradise flycatcher, etc.
Marine life includes southern whales, white sharks, seals, and dolphins.
About 2,200 plant species grow in the reserve. For example, this is more than in the UK. Here you can find the Ixia flower, which is endemic to South Africa, and the Protea flower, a symbol of the country.
Things to do
Travelers on the territory of the reserve have access to: hiking, bird and whale watching, mountain biking and horseback riding, fishing, scuba diving, surfing, windsurfing, rock climbing, picnic areas and paragliding.
Features of this reserve are open access and the possibility of visiting it with dogs. The park operates cable car, transporting people to the top of Table Mountain. It was built back in 1929 and then modernized many times. The cabins rotate 360° while moving, which makes it possible to enjoy beautiful views.
The reserve has several main attractions: Cape Point, Table Mountain, Boulders Beach, Cape of Good Hope and three mountain peaks (Devil's, Lion's Head and 12 Apostles).
Boulders Beach is famous for its large group of African penguins, numbering about 3,000 individuals.
The Cape of Good Hope has been of great importance to sailors for a long time. Now it houses one of the whale watching sites.
P.S. Many people believe that the Cape of Good Hope is the most southern point on the mainland. But this is not so, the southernmost is Cape Agulhas.
When is the best time to come
The reserve is open all year round. Best time for whale watching - from August to October.
How to get there
Table Mountain National Park is located on the western outskirts of Cape Town. It can be reached by public transport. Nearest international Airport is located near Cape Town.
Where to stay
Tourists in the reserve can stay in the Herikvaggo camp, Olifantsbos and Platteklip Wash House guest houses, Eland and Duiker cottages. Visitors can also stay at numerous hotels located in Cape Town.
Not so long ago, namely in November 2011, the entire world community decided that today it is worthy to be included in the seven world natural wonders of our Planet. And one of these natural rarities was recognized as the Table Mountain National Park in South Africa, which is located near Cape Town.
Table Mountain National Park and a bit of history
Probably, first of all, it is worth mentioning that the national park “ Table Mountain", received its name due to the presence on this territory of such an attraction as Table Mountain or Table Mountain. And this is truly an original mountain formation with a height of only 1086 meters, but without a peak, in the usual sense.
Its summit is a fairly flat mountain plateau, approximately 4.5 or 5.0 kilometers long. At the same time, the uniqueness of this mountainous territory is determined not only by the original shape of its peak, but also by the fact that more than 2,200 different species of plants grow on it, a significant part of which is found only on Table Mountain, which is slightly higher than that of the UK.
Fauna of Table Mountain
However, this African attractions, such miracles of nature are not limited to. In addition to such abundance flora Scientists note another feature of this place. It turns out that “Table Mountain” has a fairly high density of habitat and a variety of animals. And if the last, real lion on Table Mountain was shot by local hunters back in 1802, and the same leopards have not been seen since 1920, then today the real disaster of this mountain formation is the so-called bear baboons.
Due to their lack of natural enemies, their population has grown so much over last years that these animals began to threaten not only the local vegetation, but also the normal farming of local residents. So local residents, not only urgently ask tourists not to feed these animals, but also organize mass roundups using dogs and guns loaded with blank cartridges for this purpose, since hunting in this national park is prohibited by law.
Cape hyraxes: favorites of tourists
Table Mountain is no less associated with the fact that this park is home to a fairly large population of so-called “Cape hyraxes,” animals that look like rabbits. Which, to the delight of numerous tourists, gather in large colonies on the mountain slopes to bask in the South African sun, not at all embarrassed by the presence of both the tourists themselves and numerous camera lenses.
History and legends
People have lived in the Table Mountain area for 600,000 years. By the way, this has been confirmed archaeological finds. In particular, tools of primitive man have been found here more than once. So local population I've been admiring this for a long time unusual mountain. There is even a legend about why she looks so strange. It is believed that God, after creating the earth, began to admire it, and he wanted to touch it. God touched the earth where Table Mountain is now and because of his touch the mountain became flat.
The first European to see the mountain near Cape Town was a Portuguese. His name was Antonio di Saldanha. He arrived in these places in 1503. He was amazed by the extraordinary mountain and came up with a name for it. He called the mountain “table” because of its shape, which was flat and very much resembled a table. In addition, when clouds descend on the mountain, enveloping it, and sometimes going down, it seems as if the table was covered with a snow-white tablecloth. This gives Table Mountain even more charm.
Table Mountain gave its name to other mountains, which, like it, had plateau-like peaks. In addition, Table Mountain even became a constellation. Nicolas Louis de Lacaille made astronomical observations near the mountain, and when he discovered a new constellation, he proposed to name it after the mountain, only in French. This happened back in 1756, but the name saw the world only in 1763. But in the world the constellation is better known as “Mensa”. The constellation contains 24 stars. The stars are not very bright and are only visible in the Southern Hemisphere.
It is also believed that Table Mountain is a strong energy center. Moreover, this mountain is much stronger than the pyramids in Giza, since, unlike them, it is not made by human hands. In general, Table Mountain consistently attracts public attention. And even named one of the 7 natural wonders peace.
What to see
Of course, people climb Table Mountain to see magnificent views and enjoy nature. Its height is 1085 meters, and its flat top stretches for 3 kilometers. Climbing the mountain is quite difficult, so you need to have some physical training. The routes are quite safe, but tourists are recommended to go to the top with a group and a guide. Along the way you can admire nature, see several small waterfalls, colorful lizards, and colorful birds. Be prepared for unexpected rain, which could start at any minute in this area.
If a 4-hour climb is not for you, then you can use the funicular. By almost vertical cable car you can get to the top in 2 minutes. At the same time, you will be able to look around 360 degrees and see a panoramic view right from the cable car cabin. However, it is also worth remembering that the queue for the cable car is quite long. You can stay there for about an hour, and the fare is 10 euros. The cable car is quite old. It first began carrying passengers in 1929, and the last reconstruction was carried out in 1997.
At the top you will see unique plants that grow nowhere else in the world. Table Mountain's rare plant and animal species are protected. A silver tree, unique orchids, and fynbos grow here. The latter is a fire-hazardous bush, due to which fires often break out on Table Mountain. You can talk about the magnificent view of Table Mountain for hours, because this is its main attraction, but still, it is better to see it once than to read a thousand articles.
There is also a chance to see grysbok antelopes, baboons and hyraxes - something between a giant guinea pig and a rabbit. Strangely, these funny little creatures are the closest relatives of elephants.
Table Mountain is a remarkable geological formation, a true jewel in the crown of Cape Town, the famous cosmopolitan city in southwestern Africa.
Visiting Cape Town can be one of the most amazing and exciting travel experiences, as the city boasts some of the most famous landmarks in the world. Among the most popular natural wonders of South Africa and Cape Town is the majestic Table Mountain, which gets its name from its crew cut.
As part of Table Mountain National Park, this magnificent mountain has a plateau over 3 kilometers wide, offering some of the most amazing views best views cities. However, apart from these stunning views, Cape Town's Table Mountain is also famous for its ecosystem, which includes many varieties of flora and fauna. Many plant species in the National Park are very rare or even critically endangered. Many parts of Table Mountain, including several Headlands, are protected areas. These protected areas form a World Heritage Site, with 2,200 plant species. 
Moving on to the fauna, we are faced with a widespread population of mountain hyrax, but turtles, snakes, mongooses and porcupines have also chosen Table Mountain as their home. Even though the cliffs and forests used to be inhabited by lions and leopards - these animals are now completely absent from the area. 
Hiking and excursions are especially popular among travelers conquering Cape Town's Table Mountain. There is also cave exploration, rock climbing and mountain biking available for those wanting to add a little variety to their holiday. Those who want to see the sights without much effort can always use the cable car. The Table Mountain Cable Car rises to an altitude of 990 feet, to the very top of the mountain. Modernized in 1997, the cable car now uses large cabins that can carry as many as 65 passengers. At the top, visitors have access to various souvenir shops, observation platforms and walking trails.