Natal – name same, cities several

Natal has several meanings in different locations around the world. This article is fun reading about some of the other Natal existing around the world.

Natal in Portugese means Christmas. Feliz Natal refers to Merry Christmas. Natal is quite rarely used as a first name for the male child but indeed is a very popular surname. The boy’s name Natal is of Spanish origin.

Many cities also have been named Natal. Among them one is in Brazil. This city is much sought after. It is the capital of a state Rio Grande do Norte in Brazil. It is located on the right bank of Rio Grande do Norte. Natal was established as a village outside The Fort of the Holy Kings or of the Magi-Kings  in 1599. It was first occupied by the Dutch and then later it became a province. 

Natal, Brazil grew quickly as soon as it was established. In the recent times this city saw a quick growth of salt and petroleum industry. Natal is a port and is known for the export of sugar and cotton. The fishing and the oil industry here also flourish well. There is a large cultivation of fruits like mangoes, guavas and nuts like cashew.

The total area of  the Natal city in Brazil is 170 square km. According to the 2000 census the city has a population of 712,317. Natal is one of the most popular tourist spots in Brazil by virtue of its beauty. Centro de Lançamento de Foguetes Barreira do Inferno is a rocket launching site in Natal and can be visited with prior permission. Natal is surrounded by a large number of gigantic dunes. It has good public services. Life is very smooth: crime rate is very low.

However cities named Natal are spread across the world map. Natal in Indonesia is a town located in Mandailing region, Sumatra province. This city is renowned for the gold mining industry there. One of the major attractions of this city is the Batang Gadis National Park.

As soon as the closure of The Battle of the Blood river took place a country named Natalia Republic was established in the year 1839. But Britain soon attacked and conquered it in 1843. This short lived country was located on the coast of the Indian ocean. The Portugese sailors had named it Natalia.

The Union of South Africa was founded in 1910 and Natal was once of the four founding provinces. This city of Natal, located in South Africa was named so because the Vasco da Gama expedition were the foremost to reach it on the Christmas day way back in 1497.
The Natal province located in South Africa included bantustan of Kwazulu. In the following years after it was established the entire Natal province bacame the province of Kwazulu. Now known as Kwazulu Natal as this the combination of both, the old and the new name.

Durban international airport is the main airport in Kwazulu Natal. Thekwini is the Zulu name for Durban, which means ‘the place where earth and ocean meet’. Ladysmith, Midmar and New castle are few of the famous towns there. It has remarkable market and quite an ideal place for people who love shopping. The Pavilion at Westville has proved to be the best shopping center in Kwazulu Natal. Accomodation is easily available and at reasonable rates.

Kwazulu Natal is a famous tourist destination. There are two heritage sites here, Drakensberg and the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. Thus, Kwazulu Natal is not only famous for its rich culture and heritage but also for its scenic beauty and the landscapes. It also has a crocodile farm, which is quite an attraction. People flock in large numbers to the exotic beach in Kwazulu Natal. It has a large East Indian population. Kwazulu Natal  offers good banking facilities.

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