There are a couple of things that even the locals don’t know about Table Mountain. Below is our list of the Top 15 Table Mountain facts.
Let’s get started.
Top 15 Table Mountain facts
1.) Table Mountain is now recognised as one of the new 7 Wonders of Nature.
2.) More than 800 000 people visit Table Mountain every year.
3.) Table Mountain is more than 280 000 000 years old, making it one of the oldest mountains in the world.
4.) Table Mountain’s highest point is 1086m (3 563 feet) above sea level.
5.) The indigenous people of the Cape referred to Table Mountain as “Mountain of the Sea”, but in 1652 Dutch settlers named it “Tafelberg” which translated to English means Table Mountain.
6.) Venomous snakes such as the Cape Cobra can be found on Table Mountain.
7.) Table Mountain is home to richest single floristic area in the world.
8.) Together with Mount Everest, Matterhorn and Kilimanjaro, Table Mountain is one of the most recognised mountains in the world.
9.) When the south easter wind is blowing during the summer season, Table Mountain is often covered in a blanket of clouds referred to as the “table cloth” by the locals.
10.) With so many visitors each year, Table Mountain is South Africa’s most photographed landmark.
11.) Cape Town is a favourite amongst tourists, with Table Mountain being the most popular attractions in town.
12.) The first cableway on Table Mountain was completed in October 1929.
13.) Nelson Mandela declared Table Mountain as a “gift to the Earth” in 1998.
14.) In 1754 the the southern constellation Mensa was named after Table Mountain by astronomer, Louis de Lecaille.
15.) Hiking enthusiasts enjoy over 350 hiking trails that lead up to the top of Table Mountain.
Rich in History
Being a local myself, I was surprised at many of these Table Mountain facts. Only when you sit down and read up on this landmark do you realise how rich in history it is. Even today it is still making headlines with many celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Forest Whitaker and Halle Berry visiting Cape Town’s most popular attraction.
