Eastern Cape

Eastern Cape iMpuma-Kapa (Xhosa) Oos-Kaap (Afrikaans) Kapa-Botlhaba (Tswana)
Province
Coat of arms
Motto:  Development through Unity
Location of the Eastern Cape in South Africa
Coordinates: 32°S 27°E / 32°S 27°E / -32; 27
Country	South Africa
Established	27 April 1994
Capital	Bhisho
Largest city	Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
Districts	List Nelson Mandela Bay Buffalo City Sarah Baartman Amathole Chris Hani Joe Gqabi OR Tambo Alfred Nzo
Government
• Type	Parliamentary system
• Premier	Oscar Mabuyane (ANC)
• Legislature	Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature
Area [1]: 9
• Total	168,966 km2 (65,238 sq mi)
• Rank	2nd in South Africa
Highest elevation	3,019 m (9,905 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2022)[2]
• Total	7,225,784
• Rank	4th in South Africa
• Density	43/km2 (110/sq mi)
• Rank	6th in South Africa
Population groups [2]
• African	85.6%
• Coloured	7.6%
• White	5.6%
• Indian or Asian	0.5%
• Other	0.7%
Languages [1]: 25
• Xhosa	78.8%
• Afrikaans	10.6%
• English	5.6%
• Sotho	2.5%
Time zone	UTC+2 (SAST)
ISO 3166 code	ZA-EC
HDI (2019)	0.671[3] medium · 9th of 9
GDP	US$30.7 billion[4]
Website	www.ecprov.gov.za

The Eastern Cape (Xhosa: iMpuma-Kapa; Afrikaans: Oos-Kaap [ˈuəs.kɑːp]) is one of the nine provinces of South Africa. Its capital is Bhisho, but its two largest cities are East London and Gqeberha. Due to its climate and nineteenth century towns, it is a common location for tourists. It is also known for being home to many anti-apartheid activists, the most famous being Nelson Mandela hailing from the province.

The second largest province in the country (at 168,966 km²) after the Northern Cape, it was formed in 1994 out of the Xhosa homelands or bantustans of Transkei and Ciskei, together with the eastern portion of the Cape Province. The central and eastern part of the province is the traditional home of the indigenous Xhosa people. In 1820 this area, which was known as the Xhosa Kingdom, began to be settled by Europeans who originally came from England, Scotland and Ireland.

Since South Africa's early years, many Xhosas believed in Africanism, and figures such as Walter Rhubusana believed that the rights of Xhosa people and Africans in general, could not be protected unless Africans mobilised and worked together. As a result, the Eastern Cape is home to many anti-apartheid leaders such as Robert Sobukwe, Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Winnie Mandela, Govan Mbeki, Alfred Xuma, Cecilia Makiwane, Noni Jabavu, Thabo Mbeki, Chris Hani, Bantu Holomisa, Steve Biko, musicians Miriam Makeba, Madosini, Nathi, Dali Mpofu, Vusi Nova and Zahara, as well as historical figures such as Rev. Tiyo Soga, Samuel Mqhayi, Mongezi Sifika wa Nkomo, Enoch Sontonga and Jotello Festiri Soga.