eThekwini

eThekwini, formerly known as Durban, is a metropolitan municipality located on the east coast of South Africa in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. It is the third largest metropolitan municipality in the country, after Johannesburg and Cape Town, covering an area of approximately 2,555 square kilometers. The region is characterized by a hilly topography with numerous gorges and ravines, and a limited coastal plain. It shares borders with the Ugu district to the south, iLembe to the north, and uMgungundlovu to the west, and is accessible via the N2 and N3 highways, as well as King Shaka International Airport. With a population of around 3.9 million people, eThekwini accounts for a significant portion of KwaZulu-Natal's total population. The city is the economic powerhouse of the province, contributing nearly 60% to KZN's GDP. Its economy is diverse, with strong sectors including manufacturing, logistics, property, finance, tourism, leisure, sports, and arts and culture. The city is also known as the home of Africa's best managed, busiest port and is a major tourist destination because of its warm subtropical climate and extensive beaches. The world-class Chief Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) has hosted numerous global events. Historically, the area has been inhabited for millennia, with evidence of Khoi/San people before the arrival of the Nguni and European colonialists. Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama sighted the bay in 1497, naming it Rio de Natal. It later became a crucial stop-off point for explorers and traders due to its protected anchorage. The town was officially named Durban in 1835 in honor of Governor Sir Benjamin D'Urban. In 2000, the Durban Unicity was renamed eThekwini, derived from the Zulu word "iTheku," meaning bay or lagoon.