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George is a city in South Africa's Western Cape Province. It has a population of approximately 104,700 and is the administrative and commercial hub of the Garden Route. George is a popular holiday and conference centre. The city is very centrally situated: halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth and centre of the Garden Route. It is situated on a 10 kilometre plateau between the majestic Outeniqua Mountains to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south. The Garden Route has a Mediterranean climate, with warm summers, and mild to chilly winters. It is one of the highest rainfall regions in South Africa. Most rain falls in the winter and spring months, brought in by the humid sea-winds from the Indian Ocean. Any time of the year is good for visiting the area, depending on whether one enjoys a peaceful retreat during the winter months, or a bustling holiday destination during the summer. George is the sixth oldest town in South Africa – and the first founded under British rule – and was named after the reigning monarch in 1811, King George III. The timber resources of the Outeniqua forests were the reason the Dutch East India Company, in 1776, established a woodcutters outpost on the site of what became George in 1811. It was declared a drostdy by the Earl of Caledon on 23 April 1811. George gained municipal status in 1837. George has an extremely sophisticated infrastructure with banks, conference facilities, businesses, major shopping chains including the newly completed Garden Route Shopping Centre, transport and sporting facilities, yet retaining its small town and country atmosphere of peace and tranquility. The town is also a major accommodation centre with a vast array of facilities on offer to suit every taste and pocket. George is the center of South Africa's golf route, with numerous world-class courses, designed by numerous golfing greats. Amongst these are Oubaai, Le Grande George, however, the most well-known being Fancourt Golf Estate. This course hosted the President's Cup in 2003 and is often the host to high-profile golf tournaments. George is often used a base to explore Tsitsikamma National Park. The Outeniqua Choo Tjoe is South Africa's last scheduled mixed steam train service and operates on the Outeniqualand Preserved Railway between George and Knysna in the heart of the Garden Route. Opened in 1928 and declared a preserved line in July 1993, this train winds its way through some of the most picturesque scenery in the country. Unfortunately, due to recent heavy flooding in the area, the line has been damaged. It has been rescheduled to run between George and Hartenbos until further notice. The Outeniqua Transport Museum houses a large collection of steam locomotives and carriages dating back to bygone years. The Garden Route Botanical Garden taking shape at the top of Caledon Street offers year-round opportunities to admire the brilliance of the local flora. The Garden Route boasts the largest continuous natural forest area in South Africa, covering some 650 km². Marketable timber is harvested from 20% of the State forest. Stinkwood, named for its unmistakable odour when freshly cut, is highly prized by the furniture industry, as are white pear, hard pear, ironwood and assegaai. The most sought after timber is the Outeniqua Yellowwood. George Airport (IATA code GRJ), situated approximately 7 km from the city centre, has scheduled flights to Cape Town International Airport, Durban International Airport and Johannesburg International Airport.

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