George is a city in South Africa's Western Cape Province, approximately halfway between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. The city is bordered by the Outeniqua Mountains to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south. The city is also close to a dense forest area, which is the primary reason a settlement was established here. Owing to the growing demand for timber for construction work, a town was built here by the Dutch East India Company in the late 18th century.
After the British occupation of the Cape area, it was decided they should regulate the forest more thoroughly. So, in 1811 the British took control of the town and named it George, after their current King George III. The town is still known primarily for its timber and the nearby forest, and as such it has proven to be a popular tourist destination over the years.