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|leader_name1 =      [[Alexandra, Queen of the British|Alexandra]]
|leader_name1 =      [[Alexandra, Queen of the British|Alexandra]]
|leader_title2 =      Governor-General
|leader_title2 =      Governor-General
|leader_name2 = Masakhane Jadezweni
|leader_name2 = {{wp|Alan Winde}}
|leader_title14 =      Prime Minister
|leader_title14 =      Prime Minister
|leader_name14 =      {{wp|Oscar Mabuyane}}
|leader_name14 =      {{wp|Oscar Mabuyane}}
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|sovereignty_note =  
|sovereignty_note =  
|established_event1 = {{wp|Dutch Cape Colony}}
|established_event1 = {{wp|Dutch Cape Colony}}
|established_date1 =  1652
|established_date1 =  7 April 1652
|established_event2 = {{wp|Cape Colony}}
|established_event2 = {{wp|Cape Colony}}
|established_date2 =  1806
|established_date2 =  8 January 1806
|established_event3 = {{wp|Statute of Westminster 1931}}
|established_event3 = {{wp|Statute of Westminster 1931}}
|established_date3 = 1931
|established_date3 = 11 December 1931
|established_event4 = {{wp|The Cape Acts}}
|established_event4 = {{wp|The Cape Acts 1976}}
|established_date4 = 1976
|established_date4 = 8 January 1976
|area_rank =          41st
|area_rank =          41st
|area =              <!--Major area size (in [[Template:convert]] either km2 or sqmi first)-->
|area =              <!--Major area size (in [[Template:convert]] either km2 or sqmi first)-->
Line 94: Line 94:
|population_density_rank = 208th
|population_density_rank = 208th
|nummembers =        <!--An alternative to population for micronation-->
|nummembers =        <!--An alternative to population for micronation-->
|GDP_PPP =              $961 billion
|GDP_PPP =              $961.813 billion
|GDP_PPP_rank = 35th
|GDP_PPP_rank = 35th
|GDP_PPP_year = 2023
|GDP_PPP_year = 2023
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $60,008
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $60,059
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 27th
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 27th
|GDP_nominal = $600 billion
|GDP_nominal = $600.625 billion
|GDP_nominal_rank = 25th
|GDP_nominal_rank = 25th
|GDP_nominal_year = 2023
|GDP_nominal_year = 2023
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}}
}}


'''The Cape''', officially '''The Cape Commonwealth''', is a country in {{wp|Southern Africa}}. Named after the {{wp|Cape of Good Hope}}, The Cape is bordered by {{wp|South Africa}} to the east, {{wp|Namibia}} and {{wp|Botswana}} to the north, and is surrounded by the {{wp|Atlantic Ocean}} to the west and south.
'''The Cape''', officially '''The Cape Commonwealth''', is a country in {{wp|Southern Africa}}. Named after the {{wp|Cape of Good Hope}}, The Cape is bordered by {{wp|South Africa}} to the east, {{wp|Namibia}} and {{wp|Botswana}} to the north, and is surrounded by the {{wp|Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic}} and {{wp|Indian Ocean|Indian}} oceans along its coastline.


Situated in the southernmost area of {{wp|Africa}}, The Cape's history began with the {{wp|Dutch}} colonisation of the area in the 17th century that resulted in the establishment of the {{wp|Dutch Cape Colony}} by the {{wp|Dutch East India Company}}. In 1795, the {{wp|Battle of Muizenberg}} saw {{wp|British}} forces occupy the colony for the first time, only to temporarily cede it back to the {{wp|Dutch}} in 1806 via the {{wp|Treaty of Amiens}}. However, in 1806, {{wp|British}} forces invaded for a second time, and in the aftermath of the {{wp|Battle of Blaauwberg}}, took permanent control of the colony and subsequently renamed it to the {{wp|British Cape Colony}}, a self-governing colony located nearby other {{wp|British}} colonies in the area, namely the colonies of {{wp|Colony of Natal|Natal}}, {{wp|Orange River Colony|Orange River}}, and {{wp|Transvaal Colony|Transvaal}}. However, unlike the three other colonies, The Cape went on to develop a distinct system of non-racial franchise known as the {{wp|Cape Qualified Franchise}} which, in 1910, proved a decisive factor for the colony's refusal to join the newly-formed {{wp|Union of South Africa}} over fears of its multi-racial franchise system being eroded by the {{wp|South African}} government. In 1931, the passing of the {{wp|Statute of Westminster 1931}} saw the country officially receive {{wp|dominion}} status alongside the likes of {{wp|Canada}}, {{wp|Australia}}, and {{wp|New Zealand}} before later attaining full independence in 1976 as a constitutional monarchy with the {{wp|British}} monarch as its head of state, a status that it currently retains as the only {{wp|African}} country to do so.
Situated in the southernmost area of {{wp|Africa}}, The Cape's history began with the {{wp|Dutch}} colonisation of the area in the 17th century which resulted in the establishment of the {{wp|Dutch Cape Colony}} by the {{wp|Dutch East India Company}}. In 1795, the {{wp|Battle of Muizenberg}} saw {{wp|British}} forces occupy the colony for the first time, only to temporarily cede it back to the {{wp|Dutch}} in 1806 via the {{wp|Treaty of Amiens}}. However, in 1806, {{wp|British}} forces invaded for a second time, and in the aftermath of the {{wp|Battle of Blaauwberg}}, took permanent control of the colony and subsequently renamed it to the {{wp|British Cape Colony}}, a self-governing colony located nearby other {{wp|British}} colonies in the area, namely the colonies of {{wp|Colony of Natal|Natal}}, {{wp|Orange River Colony|Orange River}}, and {{wp|Transvaal Colony|Transvaal}}. However, unlike the three other colonies, The Cape went on to develop a distinct culture of political liberalism and a system of non-racial franchise known as the {{wp|Cape Qualified Franchise}} which, in 1910, proved a decisive factor for the colony's refusal to join the newly-formed {{wp|Union of South Africa}} over fears of its multi-racial franchise system being eroded under the {{wp|South African}} government which later implemented {{wp|apartheid}} in 1948 before later reversing it in 1991. In 1931, the passing of the {{wp|Statute of Westminster 1931}} saw the country officially receive {{wp|dominion}} status before later attaining full independence in 1976 as a constitutional monarchy with the {{wp|British}} monarch as its head of state, a status that it currently retains as the only {{wp|African}} country to do so. Later on, despite the end of {{wp|apartheid}} in {{wp|South Africa}}, The Cape has mostly resisted unification with its close neighbour due to decades-long period of development of its own and separate national identity.  


A constitutional monarchy, The Cape's head of state is the {{wp|British}} monarch who, in turn, is represented by a governor-general. The head of government is an elected prime minister, currently {{wp|Oscar Mabuyane}}. The country's legislature, based largely on the {{wp|Westminster system}}, is bicameral in nature, being made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. In contrast to neighbouring {{wp|South Africa}}, whose infamous {{wp|apartheid}} system saw the country only grant full, universal suffrage in 1994, The Cape has implemented universal suffrage since 1956 when it was granted on the 150th anniversary of the country's foundation.
A constitutional monarchy, The Cape's head of state is the {{wp|British}} monarch who, in turn, is represented by a governor-general. The head of government is an elected prime minister, currently {{wp|Oscar Mabuyane}}. The country's legislature, based largely on the {{wp|Westminster system}}, is bicameral in nature, being made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. In contrast to neighbouring {{wp|South Africa}}, whose infamous {{wp|apartheid}} system saw the country's black majority only granted full, universal suffrage in 1994, The Cape had implemented universal suffrage since 1956 when it was granted on the 150th anniversary of the country's foundation. Since then, The Cape has enjoyed a longstanding reputation for high levels of political and economic freedom with {{wp|Secretary-General of the United Nations|United Nations Secretary-General}} {{wp|Kofi Annan}} once famously calling it "the bastion of progress and liberalism in {{wp|Africa}}". Its official languages are {{wp|English language|English}}, {{wp|Dutch language|Dutch}}, and {{wp|Xhosa language|Xhosa}}, with multilingualism being highly encouraged among the local population.


Considered a high-income economy and one of {{wp|Africa}}'s most prosperous nations, The Cape is a member of various international organisations including the {{wp|United Nations}}, {{wp|Commonwealth of Nations}}, {{wp|G20}}, {{wp|World Trade Organization}}, and the {{wp|African Union}}, of which it is a founding member. Along with {{wp|South Africa}}, it is currently one of only two nations in {{wp|Africa}} to have legalised same-sex marriage. With a nominal economy worth $600 billion, The Cape possesses the largest economy in {{wp|Africa}} while its human development index is among the highest alongside {{wp|Libya}}, {{wp|Seychelles}}, and {{wp|Mauritius}}.
Considered a high-income economy and one of {{wp|Africa}}'s most prosperous nations, The Cape is a member of various international organisations including the {{wp|United Nations}}, {{wp|Commonwealth of Nations}}, {{wp|G20}}, {{wp|World Trade Organization}}, and the {{wp|African Union}}, of which it is a founding member. Along with {{wp|South Africa}}, it is currently one of only two nations in {{wp|Africa}} to have legalised same-sex marriage. Meanwhile, despite its size, The Cape possesses {{wp|Africa}}'s largest economy, one that is primarily driven by agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing, while its human development index is among the continent's highest alongside {{wp|Libya}}, {{wp|Seychelles}}, and {{wp|Mauritius}}.

Latest revision as of 05:19, 20 June 2024

The Cape Commonwealth
Het Kaapse Gemenebest (Dutch)
Umanyano lwamazwe aseKapa (Xhosa)
Flag of The Cape
Flag
of The Cape
Coat of arms
Motto: 
Van velen, één (Dutch)
Ukususela kwabaninzi, enye (Xhosa)
"From Many, One"
Anthem: "Ode to the Cape"
TCCM.png
Capital
and largest city
Cape Town
Official languages
Ethnic groups
(2023)
58.3% Black
30.4% Coloured
9.7% White
1.4% Asian
0.4% Other
Demonym(s)Capian
GovernmentUnitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
• Monarch
Alexandra
• Governor-General
Alan Winde
• Prime Minister
Oscar Mabuyane
LegislatureParliament
Senate
House of Representatives
Independence from the United Kingdom
7 April 1652
8 January 1806
11 December 1931
8 January 1976
Area
• 
671,317 km2 (259,197 sq mi) (41st)
Population
• 2023 estimate
16,014,433 (73rd)
• Density
23.8/km2 (61.6/sq mi) (208th)
GDP (PPP)2023 estimate
• Total
$961.813 billion (35th)
• Per capita
$60,059 (27th)
GDP (nominal)2023 estimate
• Total
$600.625 billion (25th)
• Per capita
$37,505 (27th)
Gini (2023)Positive decrease 38.5
medium
HDI (2023)Increase 0.774
high (81st)
CurrencyCape dollar (CAD)
Time zoneUTC+2 (UTC)
Driving sideleft
Calling code+26
Internet TLD.cp

The Cape, officially The Cape Commonwealth, is a country in Southern Africa. Named after the Cape of Good Hope, The Cape is bordered by South Africa to the east, Namibia and Botswana to the north, and is surrounded by the Atlantic and Indian oceans along its coastline.

Situated in the southernmost area of Africa, The Cape's history began with the Dutch colonisation of the area in the 17th century which resulted in the establishment of the Dutch Cape Colony by the Dutch East India Company. In 1795, the Battle of Muizenberg saw British forces occupy the colony for the first time, only to temporarily cede it back to the Dutch in 1806 via the Treaty of Amiens. However, in 1806, British forces invaded for a second time, and in the aftermath of the Battle of Blaauwberg, took permanent control of the colony and subsequently renamed it to the British Cape Colony, a self-governing colony located nearby other British colonies in the area, namely the colonies of Natal, Orange River, and Transvaal. However, unlike the three other colonies, The Cape went on to develop a distinct culture of political liberalism and a system of non-racial franchise known as the Cape Qualified Franchise which, in 1910, proved a decisive factor for the colony's refusal to join the newly-formed Union of South Africa over fears of its multi-racial franchise system being eroded under the South African government which later implemented apartheid in 1948 before later reversing it in 1991. In 1931, the passing of the Statute of Westminster 1931 saw the country officially receive dominion status before later attaining full independence in 1976 as a constitutional monarchy with the British monarch as its head of state, a status that it currently retains as the only African country to do so. Later on, despite the end of apartheid in South Africa, The Cape has mostly resisted unification with its close neighbour due to decades-long period of development of its own and separate national identity.

A constitutional monarchy, The Cape's head of state is the British monarch who, in turn, is represented by a governor-general. The head of government is an elected prime minister, currently Oscar Mabuyane. The country's legislature, based largely on the Westminster system, is bicameral in nature, being made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. In contrast to neighbouring South Africa, whose infamous apartheid system saw the country's black majority only granted full, universal suffrage in 1994, The Cape had implemented universal suffrage since 1956 when it was granted on the 150th anniversary of the country's foundation. Since then, The Cape has enjoyed a longstanding reputation for high levels of political and economic freedom with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan once famously calling it "the bastion of progress and liberalism in Africa". Its official languages are English, Dutch, and Xhosa, with multilingualism being highly encouraged among the local population.

Considered a high-income economy and one of Africa's most prosperous nations, The Cape is a member of various international organisations including the United Nations, Commonwealth of Nations, G20, World Trade Organization, and the African Union, of which it is a founding member. Along with South Africa, it is currently one of only two nations in Africa to have legalised same-sex marriage. Meanwhile, despite its size, The Cape possesses Africa's largest economy, one that is primarily driven by agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing, while its human development index is among the continent's highest alongside Libya, Seychelles, and Mauritius.