Geographical location of the city

Key strengths

In the early 1990s, Durban could claim that it had several fundamental strengths, which are still valid today.

Location

The city has four main locational advantages: 

• The city is well located for trade in the Indian Ocean Rim. 
• It enjoys a favourable location relative to domestic trade with the country's inland centre (Gauteng) and the southern African region. 
• Good proximity to other industrial and commercial centres within the province, notably Pietermaritzburg (significant in aluminium) and Richards Bay (significant in heavy industry and metals fabrication). 
• The city acts as a gateway for tourists to explore the many world class attractions situated within KwaZulu-Natal.