East London, Eastern Cape

East London at a glance

John Bailie, one of the 1820 Settlers, surveyed the Buffalo River mouth and founded the town East London in 1836.
East London is a City on the South-Eastern Coast of South Africa, in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape Province.
The City lies on the Indian Ocean Coast, largely between the Buffalo River and the Nahoon River
East London hosts the country's only River Port.

East London has an oceanic climate, bordering on a humid subtropical climate, with the warm temperatures and moderation typical of the South African coastline. Although it has no true dry season, there is a drying trend in winter, with the wettest times of year being spring and autumn. There is also a shorter and lesser dry period in December and January.

East London is the second largest industrial center in the province. The motor industry is the dominant employer. A major Daimler plant is located next to the harbor, manufacturing Mercedes-Benz and other vehicles for the local market, as well as exporting to the United States and Brazil. Other industries include clothing, textiles, pharmaceuticals and food processing.

To encourage investment in East London, the East London Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) was established on the West Bank in 2004, close to both the port and airport. 1500ha of land has been made available, and the site is one of four duty-free development areas in South Africa.

Cricket is popular around East London. A combined Border/Eastern Province cricket side known as the Warriors took part in the top provincial competition. Former Proteas wicketkeeper Mark Boucher who as of July 2023 holds the Test record for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper hails from East London. Buffalo Park Stadium in East London hosted a match during the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2003 and two matches of the 2009 Indian Premier League.

East London is home to the Prince George Race Circuit, opened in 1959 (renamed East London Grand Prix Circuit), a historic motor racing track that hosted three Formula One South African Grand Prix during the 1930s and 1960s. The circuit is run and managed by Border Motor Sport Club on a shoestring budget. South Africa's only Formula One World Drivers' Champion, Jody Scheckter, started his motor racing career with a Renault Gordini on this track.

East London is best known for its long, white stretches of sandy beach that appeal to surfers, swimmers and sun worshippers alike. The beaches are some of the finest in the world and a few, like Nahoon Reef Beach, are a surfer's paradise and host to international surfing competitions.

Surfing is popular in East London. It is home to some of South Africa's top surfers, including Greg Emslie, former World Championship Tour surfer
 

Transport

East London is serviced by two national roads: the coastal N2 highway connects it to Qonce, Makhanda, Gqeberha and Cape Town to the west and Mthatha and Durban to the east. It is the southern end of the N6, which runs north via Komani and Aliwal North to Bloemfontein. Older sections of the N2 have been renumbered the R102. The R72 is an alternative route to Port Elizabeth, via Port Alfred. The R346 is an alternative route to King William's Town. East London, like South Africa's other major cities, uses Metropolitan routes as a third tier for its major intra-city roads.

East London railway station offers long-distance passenger services to Cape Town and Johannesburg via Springfontein, and local services.

King Phalo Airport is a commercial airport with service to other large South African metropolitan areas.