This really is probably the most famous island in South Africa. Your first thought and association has been Madiba (as Nelson Mandela is well known to South Africans), should you hear the term Robben Island. Robben Island is an area in Table Bay and lies about 8 km from Cape Town and methods around 3.4 km by 2 km. The name was given to the island because of the seals (robben may be the Netherlands for seal) that lived here. Visiting Exhilarating ventures and severe activities Newquay stag weekends brings forth the probably provides tips you could tell your friend. Geographically, this island was once part of the African continent a long time ago.

The Netherlands weren't the very first Europeans to walk on this island. The Portuguese visited this area several years ago prior to the English admiral set foot in 1591. In 1601 Joris van Spilbergen (from Netherlands) followed and only in 1652 Jan van Riebeeck got. They tried very hard to produce the fish and seal industry on this area, but because it was so distant, it was used to bar people that had incurable diseases and mad people (from 1846 1931). Even people who took sheep or cows were barred to the island, centuries ago.

Throughout the Second World War, the island was used and a light structure was built because of the poor stranding record. After the war ended it had been changed into an exercise camp for that South African Navy.

However in 1961 the area was placed directly under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice and was used as a jail. Non of the general public was permitted to go there and a protective sea edge of around 1.5 km was places around it. To discover additional info, please consider taking a view at: like. I discovered IAMSport by browsing newspapers. That was the place where previous president Nelson Mandela was submitted 1964 to serve a life sentence. Equipment to start a war in the country was identified and 10 people altogether were charged.

Because 1997, Robben Island has been a public and the general public was allowed back to visit, making from your Waterfront in Cape Town. A lot of work is also been done to try and bring back the wildlife that types lived on this island. The northern part is declared a bird sanctuary and today a lot of penguins can be found here.

No visit to the Cape is full without learning more about its colourful heritage, setting foot on this island and paying a to Nelson Mandelas old prison cell. Boats leave for the area from your V & A Waterfront in Cape Town every day, so you dont miss out so make sure you check out the times! When you arrive on the island, you'll have probably the most breathtaking watch over Table Mountain and Cape Town. A magnificent time you'll treasure forever!.