Не́укасл қаласының тарихы мен дамуы

Newcastle (then Post Halt Number 2) was strategically situated in 1854 by the Surveyor General of the Natal Colony, Dr. P. C. Sutherland on the banks of the flooded Ncandu River. In 1864, Newcastle was founded on the site, becoming the fourth settlement to be established in Natal after Durban, Weenen and Pietermaritzburg.

In 1876, Fort Amiel was constructed to ward off the Zulus during the war, and in 1873 Newcastle became a separate electoral division. To commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee (60th anniversary), the construction of a sandstone town hall commenced in 1897, and was completed two years later. The town was used as a depot by the British during both the First and Second Boer War, and also functioned as a major transport junction and stopover for wagons and post chaises during the late 19th century. British preparation work for the Pretoria Convention of 1881 was done at Newcastle.

In 1890, the first train arrived in Newcastle, and the town was declared a borough in 1891. The discovery of coal brought a new era of prosperity, and several ambitious building projects were planned. In 1920, the Union Steel Corporation built the province's first steel plant, which later became the ISCOR South Works and subsequently decommissioned the plant after the ISCOR North Works was built, now called Arcelor Mittal Newcastle Works.

Today, Newcastle is the main commercial and industrial centre in northern KwaZulu Natal, and is the province's third largest city. The municipality is making efforts for the city to become sustainable by 2030. Newcastle is the gateway to the Zulu Kingdom from the Free State and Mpumalanga.

Located at approximately above sea level, Newcastle is located in the northwest corner of the province of KwaZulu Natal at the foothills of the northern Drakensberg mountains. The city has a temperate climate and is classified under the country's 'Cold Interior'. Temperatures in Newcastle often drop below freezing during the winter months, with snowfall often experienced at least twice a decade. Newcastle's summer temperatures have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in the recent past due to the 2015 El Niño weather phenomenon, with the region experiencing drought conditions after 28 years.

Zulus form the largest single ethnic group. Due to its past, Newcastle has a large number of British, Afrikaner, and Indian people, with several places of worship and spiritual organizations based in the city's suburbs. Since the mid 1980s, the city has seen an influx of Chinese citizens. The approximately 200 Chinese owned businesses have contributed to Newcastle's textile and plastic manufacturing industries. The abolishing of Apartheid has seen the establishment of the Buddhist Light Association's Mediation Centre and Chinese School on Victoria Road. Since 1995, Indian, Pakistan, and African foreign nationals have also migrated to Newcastle.

Newcastle has the largest concentration of commerce and industry in northern KwaZulu Natal. The city serves the surrounding towns of Utrecht, Vryheid, Dannhauser, Glencoe and Dundee, as well as the farmers, South Africa at large, and the export market with a range of products and goods.

The city has four industrial areas, namely Riverside Industrial, Airport Industrial, Madadeni Industrial Estate, and Arcelor Mittal Newcastle Works. Newcastle's economy is dominated by heavy industry, clothing and textile, services, and engineering industries, as well as extensive local coal mining. Arcelor Mittal steelworks, the Natal Portland Cement (NPC) slagment cement plant, the LANXESS Chrome Chemical Plant and the Karbochem synthetic rubber plant, which covers manufacturing space dominate the Newcastle industrial area. Heavy engineering works firms such as DCD Venco and Boschpick Engineering supply ancillary services to the aforementioned large concerns and the rest of South Africa. Chinese and Taiwanese businesspeople established more than a hundred textile factories in the Riverside Industrial Estate and the Madadeni Industrial Estate. In 2011 Independent Power South Africa (IPSA) converted the old Ngagane Power Station into the Newcastle Cogeneration Plant, an 18 MW gas fired powerstation that provides a dedicated power supply to the Karbochem chrome chemical plant which was completed during 2002. This joint venture project between Karbochem and German speciality chemical manufacturing giant LANXESS has made Newcastle the largest producer of chrome chemicals in Africa. The company announced an investment of €40 million in 2012 towards the construction of an innovative CO2 plant (Cansolv chemical process) at its site. Arcelor Mittal Newcastle produces over 1.5 million tons of long steel products annually and in 2015 undertook a major reline on the N5 Blast Furnace valued at R1.8 billion. In mid 2014, a portion of Airport Industrial was renamed the Newcastle Chemical Park, and houses African Amines (Pty) Ltd, Karbochem (Pty) Ltd, KC Energy (Pty) Ltd, LANXESS (CISA) (Pty) Ltd, Newcastle Co generation (IPSA), and South African Calcium Carbide (Pty) Ltd.

Other large operations include firms such as Formosa Plastics and Nova Clothing, both of which manufacture goods for the country's leading retailers, diamond cutting works, various engineering concerns, and building industry related services such as brick manufacturing, roofing systems, and steel reinforcement.

Newcastle has a very strong local trade scene, which is boosted by the surrounding towns of Utrecht, Vryheid, Dannhauser, Glencoe, Dundee, and Ladysmith. Despite the development of decentralized shopping malls and centres around Newcastle, it's CBD still continues to trade strongly. The city has various major shopping facilities spread throughout, the most notable being the award winning Newcastle Mall adjacent to the Blackrock Casino, Amajuba Mall, Newcastle Corner, Victorian Mall, Village Walk, Scott Street Mall, The Factory Plaza, Taxi City, Ithala Shopping Centre, Madadeni Crescent, Eyethu Junction Shopping Centre in Madadeni, and Theku Plaza in Osizweni.

Recent development in Newcastle includes the new multi storey Civic Centre, Victorian Mall expansion, the Meadowlands Estate in Madadeni, the Vulintaba Country Estate in the Drakensberg outside Newcastle, Newcastle Corner, and the Equarand mixed use precinct. Recent roadworks include the D96 rebuild, the Allen Street bridge and widening of Allen Street along Trim Park, the Link Road extension Phase 1, and the Albert Wessels Drive extension Phase 1. Proposed future projects include the Newcastle Technology Hub, expansion of the Newcastle Airport, and the re alignment of the N11 bypass south of Newcastle by SANRAL.

The Signal Hill Tower is tall.

Arcelor Mittal Head Office Building: 10 storeys structural height is & top of antenna is DBM Building: 9 storeys structural height is and the top of antenna is Newcastle Civic Centre: 9 storeys with a structural height of .

Newcastle is well connected to Gauteng and the provinces coastal ports of Durban and Richards Bay on two main routes. The N11 is the principal road running through the city connecting it south to the N3 to Durban and north to the N4 to Gauteng, and through the provinces of Mpumalanga & Limpopo, and eventually to the border at Groblersbrug. The R34 connects Newcastle to Gauteng via the N3 and the Free State to the west, and east to the port of Richards Bay via Vryheid and Empangeni.

Newcastle lies on the main passenger and goods railway line between Johannesburg and Durban. The city has a large rail siding and cargo facility.

Newcastle has one airport which is located approximately away from the city centre. Chartered flights provide daily service, and a full service with one of the country's airlines is in planning.

Minibus taxis are the most affordable and quickest form of transport for the majority of the population for those residing in Newcastle East. These are owned by taxi associations, and in the recent years inter operator violence has flared up from time to time, especially as turf wars over lucrative taxi routes resulting in the deaths of many taxi operators. Apart from the thousands of taxis that traverse the city streets daily, Transnat Coach Lines and Stabus (subsidiaries of Tans Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd are the largest bus operators in Newcastle.

The Carnegie Art Gallery represents South African artists as well as local artists; this historic building falls within the city's civic precinct.

Fort Amiel Museum, a typical Victorian frontier fort, is a National Heritage Site.

Newcastle is home to the Northern KwaZulu Natal Youth Choir – a provincial choir of international repute. The annual Vodacom Winter Festival aka 'Newcastle Show' provides a platform for South African bands and singers, and attracts visitors from the entire region. Notable performers who performed for the event include Matthew Mole, Cassper Nyovest, Majozi, Snotkop, and Jo Black.

Newcastle has all of the major religious organizations represented; churches, temples, and mosques can be found throughout the city. Landmarks include the NG Kerk on York Street, and the Hindu Shiva Temple on Kirkland Street. The Darul Uloom on St Thomas Street, an institute of higher Islamic studies, is a landmark in Newcastle's diverse community with a modern mosque on the premises.

Newcastle remains a venue for major sports competitions and conferences because of the facilities the city has to offer. A variety of rugby, cricket, soccer, squash, tennis, swimming, and other sport facilities has contributed to its ability to host both national and international events.

Newcastle has numerous multi purpose stadia around the city, which are mostly used to host local sport competitions, school sports and inter school sports; these accommodate soccer, cricket, rugby, squash, tennis, and volleyball. The most notable stadia are the Newcastle Swimming Pool, Arbor Park Grounds, Paradise A & B, and the Madadeni Sports Stadium.

Newcastle has five public swimming pools; the Olympic sized Newcastle swimming pool in Sunnyridge (previously the Ferrum swimming pool) recently hosted the All Africa Development Gala.

Located in Arbor Park, this modern complex has indoor and outdoor facilities, with a bowling green.

Newcastle Wrestling Academy is one of the top wrestling clubs in KwaZulu Natal.

Newcastle is home to the Challengers Angling Club and an annual angling competition is held to assist local charities.

The local rugby club is the Newcastle Highlanders Rugby.

Newcastle is home to Stella Football Club and has produced players to represent the province and country. Newcastle is also the home to Newcastle All Stars who play in KZN ABC Motsepe league.

Newcastle has a local cricket league, and matches are hosted at various stadiums around the city.

Newcastle has three golf courses: one 18 hole golf course, Newcastle Golf Club, and two 9 hole golf courses, Kilbarchan Golf Club and Vulintaba Country Estate.

Newcastle has a horse riding club and training course.

Established in 1975, Ntshingwayo Dam (previously Chelmsford Dam) is the third largest in the province. Located approximately South West of Newcastle on the Ngagane River, Ntshingwayo Dam is Newcastle's main source of water supply. The surrounding reserve covers an area of 6,500 ha. and is managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. The 1,500 ha Game Park has a range of highveld game and bird viewing is common. The park also features the largest population of the rare oribi in South Africa. Sailing, powerboating, water skiing and swimming are popular activities on the 3,400 ha. dam and is known as a fishing destination for both hobby and competition anglers, with carp, barbel, and scaly the most commonly caught.

This small dam lies on the Ncandu River in the suburb of Ncandu Park. Amcor dam has various recreation facilities, including playgrounds, swimming pools, and braai (barbeque) areas, and is popular on public holidays and weekends. It is also home to the Newcastle Caravan Park.

The Newcastle Golf Course is located in the suburb of Barry Hertzog Park and offers a mashie course, a driving range, an 18 hole course, a clubhouse, and a restaurant.

The Ncandu State Forest Reserve is located west of Newcastle and is the second biggest indigenous forest in the province; it consists of grassy plains, Yellowwood gorges and streams that run through the forest to meet the Ncandu river, where trout may be found. The reserve offers various trails to view sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, and various bird species. Access to the viewpoints is either by boat or boardwalks.

The city has many public parks within its suburbs; such as the Trim Park and The Gardens on Hospital Street. Trim Park is located north of the CBD along the Ncandu River. It is often frequented on weekends and holidays, and is used for hosting picnics and barbecues. The Gardens on Hospital Street offers an expansive grassy garden with large shady trees, and is located in the suburb of Newcastle Central. The park is used by Newcastillians to walk their pets and play in a free environment. The Gardens are popular on wedding occasions as they offer backdrops for photographs to be taken.

This type of park was created to provide playing facilities for the youth in a secure, green play zone. Kids may play unsupervised by parents, as they are under the watchful eye of park security.

The city is home to numerous major primary and high schools, both government and private. With private schooling on the increase in South Africa, there has been a recent influx of private schools varying in size. Newcastle High School and St. Dominic's Academy Newcastle are considered two of the city's most prestigious schools. Meridian Newcastle, a leading independent school (part of Curro Schools) was established in Madadeni, a township of Newcastle, to cater for the increased need of education in the east of the city. Newcastle schools are home to several buildings that have been declared National Monuments, the most famous being The Pavilion at St. Dominic's Academy which was designed by Brother Nivard Streicher and built in 1912. It was declared a monument in 1977 by Dr. Piet Koornhof. Established in 1882, Newcastle High School is the oldest school in the area. The original school buildings are still in use today as the school's administration block. Both the Newcastle Brass Band and the Northern KwaZulu Natal Youth Choir are based in Ferrum High School. Newcastle's main townships of Madadeni and Osizweni are home to schools such as Osizweni High School, Indonsa Technical High School, St. Lewis Bertrand's High School, Bethamoya High School, Phendukani High School, Siyamukela High School, Thubelihle High School, Sesiyabonga High School and Ikhwezi High School. Sabela Senior Secondary School is the only high school situated in Madadeni Section 5 and is best known for its athletics. Other schools in Newcastle include Newcastle Islamic College, Amajuba High School, Tugela High School, St Oswald's Secondary (the oldest school of Indian origin), and Lincoln Heights Secondary School. Some junior schools include Hutten Park Primary, Drakensberg Primary, Newcastle Senior Primary, Busy Bee and Arbor Park Primary, Lennoxton Primary, S. E. Vawda Primary, Suryaville Primary and Chelmsford Primary.

Majuba FET College has five separate campuses around Newcastle, as well as a campus in the surrounding town of Dundee. Qualitas Career Academy, a national private college has a campus in the CBD. It caters for full time and part time studies for students, as well as corporate training and consulting services for businesses and government departments. UNISA, Damelin, and Boston City Campus & Business College have satellite campuses in Newcastle.

Newcastle has three hospitals, two government owned and one privately owned: Newcastle Provincial Hospital (186 beds), Madadeni Hospital (1620 authorized beds, 1154 usable beds) and Mediclinic Newcastle (254 authorized beds, 186 operational beds). There are also several clinics and various specialist physicians. In addition, the La Gratitude Home for the Aged provides retirement and care facilities for the elderly. There are also 16 government clinics in Osizweni and Madadeni, an independent news product. The digital news medium services the Newcastle, Northern KwaZulu Natal, and KwaZulu Natal communities.

Newcastle Community Radio is an independent local radio station broadcasting to Newcastle from their studio in Madadeni on 103.7fm Newcastle Community Radio Website. Radio 034 is an online radio station located in Newcastle. Lit Radio ZA is an online radio based in Madadeni Section 2, targeting local youth and other issues that affect the community.

Newcastle has been internationally connected since the Industrial Era, and is today home to many international industries, the most well known being steel giant Arcelor Mittal, chrome chemical companies Bayer & Lanxess, synthetic rubber manufacturer Karbochem, and heavy engineering firm DCD Venco. Furthermore, since the late 1980s, Newcastle has built a strong relationship with mainland China and also Taiwan, following the influx of Chinese nationals in the mid 1980s. To date, China has invested in approximately 100 factories in Newcastle, employing thousands of workers.