When was Durban first sighted by Europeans?
Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama sailed parallel to the coast at Christmastide in 1497 and named the area Natal. This event marked the first recorded sighting of the bay by Europeans.
Questions about Durban
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who founded the settlement that became known as Port Natal?
English traders Francis Farewell and Henry Fynn established a trading post at Port Natal in 1824 after being caught in a severe storm. Shaka granted them full possession of the port and surrounding land on the 7th of August 1824.
What is the population of Durban according to recent census data?
Durban hosts one of Africa's largest metropolitan populations with 4.2 million people living within eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality as of 2022. Within city limits alone, the population reached 595,061 according to the 2011 census.
Which industries drive the economy of Durban today?
Sugar refining remains one of Durban's main industries with South Africa producing 19.9 million tons of sugar cane annually. The Port of Durban serves as the busiest port in sub-Saharan Africa and fourth-busiest in the Southern Hemisphere.
When did King Shaka International Airport open for operations?
King Shaka International Airport opened in May 2010 while handling 6.1 million passengers in 2019/2020. It replaced older facilities located north of central Durban.