Durban, South Africa

 

Signers: Mayor of Guangzhou Mr. Lin Shusen, Mayor of Durban Mr. Obed Mlaba

Place of Agreement Signing: Durban

Date of Agreement Signing: July 17, 2000

Durban, also called "playground and subtropical paradise", has developed from a Victoria city to a modern metropolis after World War Two.

It was originally called Natal, as the biggest city and important harbor in Natal province of South Africa. It was founded in 1835 and declared a city in 1935. It borders on the Natal Bay in Indian Ocean in its north, Bluff Hills in south, and stretches its line to North Plateau. It belongs to the tropical climate due to its geographical location.

Occupying an area of 1366 square km, and a population of 3.6 million including its downtown and satellite towns, Durban is the second largest town area and the fastest developing area.

The construction of Durban has been expanded since 1855, and now forms the busiest harbor in African continent. It is listed as the world's 9th biggest Barbour, with parking stalls up to 57, container freight station (CFS) 14, and coastal line 21 km. In the total volume of export cargos, cargos to Asia take up a large proportion.

University of Durban-Westville and University of Natal are two universities in the city. The modern metropolis offers an ideal place of working, relaxing and entertaining for international as well as domestic travelers, as a result of its promising economy, well-developed transportation and hotel facilities. Durban tops commerce development on government agenda, depending on organizing International conferences and developing tourism industry. Since the setup of the world's first-classed international conference center in August 1997, Durban has hosted a series important meetings and exhibitions and it has been booked to hold more than 50 international conferences by 2008.

Such a dynamic and cultural city has attracted more and more tourists from the world. Thus the cultural heritages have been always protected by measures taken by the government. The locals enjoy their various lives in this diversified city.

2000 marked the year for the establishment of sister cities of Guangzhou and Durban.