Durban

Durban is a vibrant cosmopolitian city in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. It is also known by the Zulu word , (the meaning of which is unclear, but most likely is "lagoon" from the word itheku, or "at the harbour", although other shadier theories have been put forward). Since 2000, a number of towns, including Durban, have been part of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.

History

The Zulus called the almost land-locked lagoon "Thekwini" (lagoon) and used to set out elaborate fish traps in the shallows. On December 25 1497, Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama anchored at present day Durban and named the natural harbour "Rio De Natal" (Christmas River). It was also called "Parva de Pescaria" (the fisheries) because of the fish traps.

Related Topics:
December 25 - 1497 - Portuguese - Vasco da Gama

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In 1824, British traders and adventurers, Lieutenant Francis Farewell and Mr Henry Fynn and their party left the Cape Colony in order to establish an ivory trading business in Natal. Later that year Nathaniel Isaacs went on a mission to rescue them, and together they established a trading post after land was granted to them by King Shaka of the Zulus, which they named Port Natal. The small settlement grew into a town and in 1835, Port Natal was renamed Durban in honor of then Cape Colony Governor, Sir Benjamin d?Urban. The Voortrekkers arrived over the Drakensberg mountains in 1838 and after a series of battles the Cape government built a fort. The area was finally annexed to the Cape Colony in 1844.

Related Topics:
1824 - British - Francis Farewell - Shaka - 1835 - Cape Colony - Benjamin d?Urban - Voortrekkers - Drakensberg - 1838 - 1844

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In the late 1800s, the British shipped in thousands of indentured labourers from India and other Asian countries to work on the sugarcane fields. The Indian population has grown and is now the highest concentration of Indians outside of India.

Related Topics:
India - Sugarcane

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In the 1990s, Durban usurped Cape Town's position as South Africa's second-largest city, although the two are very similar in size.

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Durban was the site of the controversial 2001 World Conference against Racism.

Related Topics:
2001 - World Conference against Racism

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