Ethekwini Metropolitan Municipality
The eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, encompasses Durban, the province's largest city and the third-largest in the country. Known for its hilly terrain and lack of a true coastal plain, eThekwini is a sophisticated, cosmopolitan area. It boasts Africa's busiest port and the prestigious International Convention Centre, which has hosted numerous global events. Durban's history includes early conflicts between ivory hunters and local Zulu monarchs. The city's warm, subtropical climate and extensive beaches make it a major tourist destination, with an estimated 9.95 million visitors in 2010/11. Domestic tourism significantly impacts the region's GDP, contributing around 8% annually. The hospitality sector features a range of hotels, nightlife, shopping, ethnic attractions, traditional villages, craft markets, dams, and game parks.
