Eastern Cape

Province of the Republic of South Africa from 1994, formerly part of Cape Province; area 170,616 sq km/65,875 sq mi; population (2000 est) 6,811,400. The capital is Bisho; the other main towns are East London, Port Elizabeth, and Grahamstown. Much of the terrain is elevated, with the interior plateau of the Highveld and the southern part of the Drakensberg mountains falling southwards and eastwards to a narrow coastal plain bordering the Indian Ocean. In agriculture the drier western areas are important for merino sheep, angora goats, and beef cattle, while irrigated areas of the interior produce good crops of wheat, maize, and sorghum. The coastlands are noted for citrus fruit, pineapple, and tobacco cultivation. Industries include motor manufacturing, textiles, and dairy and meat products. The languages spoken are Xhosa (85%), Afrikaans (9%), and English (3%).