East London, South Africa

Capital City

The population of 478,676 may seem enticing, but East London is no metropolis - it's a sleepy coastal town with a heavy bureaucratic footprint. Despite the balmy oceanic climate, the occasional violent berg winds can send temperatures soaring above 44°C, a headache for those unaccustomed to the local weather. And while the port city boasts a rich history, the lingering effects of apartheid-era segregation policies have left a complex legacy of racial divides. This is a place for those seeking a slower pace of life, not the fast-paced urban experience.