你知道南非的城市也有“昵称”吗？“母亲之城”开普敦、“黄金之城”约翰内斯堡、“蓝花楹之城”（“紫葳城”）比勒陀利亚、“风之城”及“友好之城”伊丽莎白港等等……这些“昵称”可说是城市的另一种名片，听到“昵称”便能明白这座城市的特别之处，现在就来一起看看南非城市昵称的来源吧！
Did you know that South African cities have their own "nicknames"? “The Mother City” — Cape Town; “the City of Gold” — Johannesburg; “the Jacaranda City” — Pretoria; “the Windy City” and “Friendly City” — Port Elizabeth. These nicknames act as name cards, revealing the unique features of the cities. Let's go and have a look at how these cities got their nicknames!
“母亲之城”——开普敦
"The Mother City" — Cape Town
开普敦又被称为“母亲之城”，这是为什么呢？据说在上世纪30年代曾有一份开普敦的报纸称开普敦是南非唯一可以被称作是“大都会”(metropolis)的地方，而“大都会”(metropolis)这个词则是由希腊语中的“母亲”和“城市”两个词组成，因而开普敦就渐渐被人称作是“母亲之城”啦！开普敦同时还是极好的旅行目的地，登桌山、看企鹅、逛维多利亚码头，5月13日母亲节将至，在“母亲之城”庆祝这个节日，是不是特别有纪念意义呢~
Why is Cape Town also known as "the Mother City"? It is said that in the 1930s, a newspaper in Cape Town claimed that Cape Town was the only city that could be entitled as a "metropolis", and the word "metropolis" is composed of the words "mother" and "city" in its Greek origin -- that is how Cape Town gradually became known as “the Mother City". In addition, Cape Town is a perfect travel destination, where you can climb the famous Table Mountain, see African penguins, or wander around the V&A Waterfront. As the Mother's Day of this year (13th May) is approaching, how does a trip to “the Mother City" on this special day sound to you?
“黄金之城”——约翰内斯堡
"The City of Gold" — Johannesburg
南非第一大城市——约翰内斯堡，是著名的“黄金城市”。约翰内斯堡是一个因开采黄金而逐渐建立起来的城市，是世界上最大的产金中心。来到约翰内斯堡旅行，不仅可以追寻曼德拉的踪迹，游览曼德拉广场、种族隔离博物馆等充满历史特色的景点，参观在金矿旧址上建立的主题公园“黄金城”也是深受游人喜爱的行程，在地下220米的矿穴里参观当时开采黄金的作业状况，欣赏了18世纪后期到19世纪初期淘金热潮时黄金城的建筑，可谓别有一番意趣。
Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa, is the world-renowned "City of Gold". Johannesburg had been developed based on gold mining, and is now the largest gold producing city in the world. Come to Johannesburg, and you will not only follow the footsteps of Nelson Mandela by visiting historical sites such as the Nelson Mandela Square and Apartheid Museum, but also explore the Gold Reef City, a theme park built on an old gold mine, allowing you to learn about what gold panning is like by descending 220 meters underground. Or you may have a look at the buildings erected during the gold rush period from the end of 18th century to the beginning of 19th century.
“蓝花楹之城”——比勒陀利亚
"The Jacaranda City" — Pretoria
南非的行政首都比勒陀利亚有着一个浪漫梦幻的别称——“蓝花楹之城”（“紫葳城”），整个城市种植着超过7万株蓝花楹。每年9月到11月中旬是蓝花楹盛开的季节，每到这时比勒陀利亚都会变身为梦幻花海，俘获无数少女心。若想要来一场别出心裁的求婚仪式，就选在蓝花楹盛放的比勒陀利亚吧，真挚的告白、梦幻的蓝花楹加上南非特产的钻石戒指，一定会成为终生难忘的美好回忆~除了观赏烂漫的蓝花楹，比勒陀利亚的人类摇篮遗址、钻石小镇库里南、先民纪念馆等别具特色的经典景点也是十分值得一去的。
The administrative capital Pretoria is also known as the dreamy "Jacaranda City", as there are over 70,000 jacaranda trees in the city. From every September to middle November, Pretoria will turn into a dreamy place for girls as jacarandas bloom all over Pretoria and turn the face of the city purple with flowers. Thinking about a unique marriage proposal? Why not choose the Pretoria with jacarandas in their full blossom! With heartfelt commitments, diamond rings from South Africa, and being in the dreamy world of jacaranda, you will have the most beautiful memory of your life here. Apart from the blooming jacarandas, you cannot miss the historic sites such as the Cradle of Humankind, the diamond town – Cullinan, and the Ditsong National Museum of Natural History.
“风之城”——伊丽莎白港
"The Windy City" — Port Elizabeth
“友好之城”伊丽莎白港同时还是著名的多风之城，因而也有着“风之城”的别名。这里有着世界闻名的“阿多国家公园”，是观赏角水牛、东开普象、狮子、豹、犀牛以及露脊鲸和大白鲨等野生动物的最佳去处。海风令美丽的伊丽莎白港成为了南非的“水上运动之都”，吸引着无数游客慕名前来，体验刺激的帆船、帆板、风筝冲浪和滑板冲浪等活动。从伊丽莎白港开车一个多小时，更有世界知名的冲浪目的地“杰弗里斯湾”，职业冲浪协会每年7月都会在这里举办世界顶级冲浪巡回赛，热爱冲浪的朋友不妨来此一游喔！
"The Friendly City" Port Elizabeth is also known for its windy weather, and therefore got the nickname "The Windy City", where you may view Buffalos, Elephants, Lions, Leopards, and Rhinoceros at the Addo Elephant National Park, or watch the Southern Right Whales and Great White Sharks in the home of Ocean Safari’s. Thanks to the onshore winds, the charming Port Elizabeth is also tagged as the "Watersport Capital", attracting numerous tourists coming here for the thrilling water sports such as sailing, windsurfing, kite-boarding and boardsailing. Driving from Port Elizabeth, it takes you about one hour to reach the world-renowned surfer's paradise, Jeffrey's Bay, where the World Surf League (WSL) holds their annual surfing event in July. Surfing lovers cannot miss this place!
从城市昵称了解南非的无限魅力，是不是很有意思的一件事呢？南非有着令人沉醉的风景、充满灵性的自然、热情好客的人民以及无数激动人心的体验，为旅途中经过的每一座城市，取上一个独属于你的“昵称”，也是十分珍贵的旅途回忆。精彩南非，期待你的到来。
From the nicknames of the cities, we discovered the immense charms of South Africa. Isn't this incredibly interesting? Fascinating landscapes, inspiring nature, warm and hospitable people, and endless exciting experiences await you in South Africa. Name the cities in your own way along your journey, and it will be a unique and memorable experience. Come and explore these Wonders in South Africa!
