George is picturesquely situated on a coastal plateau at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, which reach a height of 1579m/5181ft in George Peak, 8km/5mi from the coast of the Indian Ocean. One of the principal towns on the Garden Route, with its own airport, it is good center for excursions in the surrounding area.
The
agricultural area round George is intensively cultivated. One of the main crops is hops.
George (originally called Georgetown) was founded in 1811 and named after King George III. Anthony Trollope, visiting South Africa in 1877, declared that George was "the prettiest village on the face of the earth". In recent years this "garden city", its broad streets lined by oak-trees, has grown considerably in size.
The town's main street is York Street (the continuation of N 2 coming from Mossel Bay), which runs into Courtenay Street at a T junction.
An unforgettable experience is a trip on the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, a narrow-gauge steam train running on a spectacular line between George and Knysna. Particularly impressive is the crossing of the Kaaimans River, which at this point, just before it flows into the Indian Ocean, has cut a deep gorge through the rock.