Cape Colony

The Cape Colony was a European colony in what is now South Africa. It was founded in 1652 by Jan van Riebeeck as a re-supply station for the Dutch East India company. It was occupied by the British in 1795 during the Napoleonic Wars, but handed back to the Dutch in 1802. It was re-occupied by the British in 1806 and formally ceded in 1814. It became self-governing in 1872, and united with three other British colonies in 1910 to form the Union of South Africa.

Dutch rule (1652–1806)

Main articles: Dutch Cape Colony and History of Cape Colony before 1806

British rule (1806–1910)

Main article: British Cape Colony