Durban (eThekwini in Zulu) is the third largest city in South Africa and the country's leading holiday resort. It's also a haven for surfers. Long beaches lapped by the warm Indian Ocean, a mild subtropical climate, and excellent infrastructure lure tourists by the millions. An important industrial center and port, the city owes its cosmopolitan air, not so much to its visitors, but to its rich ethnic diversity forged from a turbulent history. Clashes between the British traders, who established a small settlement here in 1823; the Zulus, on whose tribal land Durban lies; and the Boers, all played a part in shaping Durban's character. In 1860, contract laborers arrived from India to work on the sugar plantations, Mahatma Gandhi among them. Many remained after their contracts expired making Durban the largest population of Indians in South Africa. Today, visitors can experience Durban's rich cultural heritage in the Zulu and Indian markets, the aroma of exotic spices, the manicured parks and gardens, and a buzzing multicultural vibe.