Paarl (meaning "Pearl" in Dutch and called "Die Pêrel"
in Afrikaans) is the third oldest European settlement in the
Republic of South Africa (after Cape Town and Stellenbosch)
and forms part of the Western Cape Province. The 2001 census
reports Paarl to have a population of approximately 108,000
which makes it the largest town in the
Cape Winelands.
It is situated about 60 kilometres (37 mi) northeast of Cape
Town in the Western Cape Province and is renowned for its
illustrious past and haunting scenic beauty. Paarl is
unusual in South Africa in that the name of the place is
pronounced differently in English and Afrikaans: in English
it is 'Paarl' (rhymes with marl) but in Afrikaans it is 'Pêrel'
('Pair-uhl'), although still spelt Paarl. An unusual feature
of the name of the town is that Afrikaners customarily
attach the definite article to it: people say (in
Afrikaans), "I live in the Pearl" (in die Paarl), rather
than "I live in Pearl". This idiosyncrasy has a parallel in
Australia: "I live in the Alice", meaning I live in Alice
Springs.
The district is particularly well known for its
Pearl Mountain or "Paarl Rock". This huge granite rock is
formed by three rounded outcrops that make up Paarl Mountain
and has been compared in majesty to Uluru (formerly known as
Ayers Rock) in Australia. (However, they are not
geologically similar. Paarl Rock consists of intrusive
igneous rock, while Uluru is a sedimentary remnant).
