Table Mountain, located in Cape Town, South Africa, has a rich history. Indigenous use The Khoisan people originally inhabited the area, using the mountain for shelter and resources. European discovery Portuguese explorer Bartholomew Diaz named it "Taboo do Cabo" Table of the Cape in 1488. Symbolism the flat-topped mountain became an iconic symbol of Cape Town and appears on the city's coat of arms Table Mountain is over 260 million years old. It's a popular hiking destination with over 350 documented paths. The mountain is part of Table Mountain National Park.