Sat in the lap of Table Mountain and on the shores of the Atlantic, Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. African, Indonesian, French, Dutch, British and German settlers have all left their mark on the city, and all creeds and colours continue to share it to this day. With a population of three million, Cape Town the parliamentary capital of the republic also enjoys the status as South Africas most laid-back city, thanks partly to a low crime rate, lively cultural scene, rugged landscapes and glorious beaches. However, all this is tempered by the 'informal settlements' (shanty towns) that dominate the Cape Flats, the vast plain stretching east of Table Mountain. This is where most of the 'coloured' and black communities were relocated under apartheid, and they continue to live here in appalling conditions. Cape Town boasts a train line running north to south from the seafront in Cape Town to False Bay, passing through Observatory, Rondebosch, Newlands, Claremont, Wynberg and terminating in Fish Hoek. There is also a bus service but this like the Metrorail - is pretty rudimentary. Shared taxis are in plentiful supply along the major thoroughfares but caution is advised: crime is relatively rare, but it still exists. Given the limitations of the local public transport - and that Cape Town's unique geography means her associated parts are often to be found on opposite sides of a mountain ridge - owning a car is practically essential. Text: Andy Jackson and Philippa Bresler, andyj@365digital.co.za. Last updated Jan 2006.