Stellenbosch, Western Cape

Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch with Great Drakenstein and Stellenbosch Mountains beyond
Nickname(s): Eikestad ("City of Oaks")
Stellenbosch Show map of Western Cape Stellenbosch Show map of South Africa Stellenbosch Show map of Africa  Stellenbosch shown within Western Cape
Coordinates: 33°55′12″S 18°51′36″E / 33.92000°S 18.86000°E / -33.92000; 18.86000Coordinates: 33°55′12″S 18°51′36″E / 33.92000°S 18.86000°E / -33.92000; 18.86000
Country	South Africa
Province	Western Cape
District	Cape Winelands
Municipality	Stellenbosch
Established	1679
Area
• Total	21.5 km2 (8.3 sq mi)
Elevation	136 m (446 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	155,733
• Density	7,200/km2 (19,000/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
• Black African	36.7%
• Coloured	35.4%
• Indian/Asian	0.4%
• White	26.5%
• Other	0.9%
First languages (2011)
• Afrikaans	55.9%
• Xhosa	30.8%
• English	8.6%
• Sotho	1.2%
• Other	3.5%
Postal code (street)	7600
PO box	7599
Area code	021

Stellenbosch (/ˈstɛlənbɒʃ/;Afrikaans: [ˈstɛlənbɔs]) is a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa, situated about 50 kilometres (31 miles) east of Cape Town, along the banks of the Eerste River. It is the second oldest European settlement in the province, after Cape Town. The town became known as the City of Oaks or Eikestad in Afrikaans and Dutch due to the large number of oak trees that were planted by its founder, Simon van der Stel, to grace the streets and homesteads.

Stellenbosch has its own municipality (incorporating the neighbouring towns of Pniel and Franschhoek), adjoining the metropolitan area of the City of Cape Town. The town is home to Stellenbosch University. Technopark is a modern science park situated on the southern side of the town near the Stellenbosch Golf Course.

In 1899 Louis Péringuey discovered Paleolithic stone tools of the Acheulean type at a site named Bosman's Crossing near the Adam Tas Bridge at the western entrance to Stellenbosch.