Athlone, Residential neighborhood in Cape Town, South Africa
Athlone is a residential neighborhood spread across the Cape Flats between downtown Cape Town and the international airport, mixing housing with industrial areas. The district features a range of buildings and streets that serve both residential and business purposes.
The area was originally known as West London until 1930, when it was renamed after Alexander Cambridge, the Earl of Athlone and Governor-General of South Africa. This name change marked a significant moment in the neighborhood's identity.
The neighborhood is home to Cape Malay, Xhosa, and Afrikaans-speaking residents who shape its character through their daily lives. Mosques, markets, and food shops reflect this cultural diversity throughout the streets.
The neighborhood connects to downtown Cape Town through its railway station and various bus services that make getting around easy. The N2 highway runs along the northern border, providing quick access to the airport and other parts of the city.
Two large concrete cooling towers from the former Athlone Power Station were long-standing landmarks visible from many parts of the neighborhood. These towers were demolished in a controlled explosion in August 2010, ending a chapter in the area's industrial past.
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