Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth has 40 kilometres of immaculate beaches in a protected bay. The beaches often have perfect conditions for water activities, making it the water sport capital of Africa. King's Beach and Hobie Beach are very popular bathing beaches and Pollock Beach, known locally as 'the Pipe', is a favourite with surfers.

The city's buildings are a physical timeline of the architectural changes dating as far back as the 19 th century. The Opera House is a good example of Victorian architecture and is still in use and the city also has the richest collection of Art Nouveau buildings in South Africa.

Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth is an exceptionally busy port city and is the motor industry capital of South Africa.

The city is a good place from which to discover the enchantments of the Eastern Cape. Five Biomes converge in the province, making it a must for eco-tourism and an opportunity to enjoy South Africa's diverse geography and the city is a mere 30 minute drive from five-star game lodges.

The sunshine coast, with its rugged unspoiled beaches and Hogsback, which is rumored to be the inspiration for the Lord of the Rings books, are all within a few hours drive from the city.

History

The area was initially home to the hunter-gatherers, the Khoi and the San. The Xhosa then settled in the area, predominantly along the nearby Sundays River.

The first British settlers arrived in Port Elizabeth in 1820. The port city would quickly become the gateway for British settlers into the frontier of South Africa, but not without resistance from the Xhosa. Before the gold rush in 1896, PE was a hub for wool, mohair and the ostrich feather trade.

On 6 June 1820, Sir Rufane named the city Port Elizabeth in honour of his wife Elizabeth, who had died in India. He was the acting governor of the Cape Colony at the time.

Uitenhage was established by J.A. de Mist, a Dutch government official in 1804 and has many old buildings such as the Drostdy (1815) and the Town Hall (1882).

Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth was a core centre of resistance to the oppressive apartheid regime. Many profoundly influential leaders have their roots in the Eastern Cape. Nelson Mandela's ancestral home of Qunu is in the Eastern Cape and Govan Mbeki, Walter Sisulu and Steve Biko are all sons of the province.

In 2000, Port Elizabeth became part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality. It was named in honour of Nelson Mandela and includes the cities of Dispatch and Uitenhage in its jurisdictional area.

Football

Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth has had a paucity of professional sides although a healthy amateur league. Its last professional team was Michau Warriors, relegated in 1997. PE Blackpool played in the top flight in 1991 after the unification of the segregated football leagues.

The city was a host for the group and quarter-final stages of the 1996 CAF Africa Cup of Nations. Most football games have been hosted at the Eastern Province Rugby Football Union stadium.

South Africa beat Trinidad and Tobago in the 2003 edition of the Nelson Mandela. The city also hosted Senegal for the 2005 Nelson Mandela Challenge. South Africa lost 2-3 to Senegal.