 The Northern Cape lies east of the Atlantic Ocean over a distance of 900 km to Kimberley, its capital. Its surface area makes it one of South Africa’s largest provinces, but it carries the smallest population.
The Orange River is the only prominent geomorphologic phenomenon – the landscape otherwise is very flat and because of the low rainfall the vegetation is very sparse. The largest part of the province falls within the Nama-Karoo biome – low shrub land and grass. The Augrabies Falls National Park was established to preserve the impressive waterfall and ravine of 18km. One can see large saltpans on the west central plains when one travels the Northern Cape Province.
The Orange River supplies much needed water to this dry area and irrigation schemes alongside the river produce cotton, maize, peanuts, lucerne, dates and grapes. The dry coastal plain, known as Namakwaland, turns into a wonderland of wild flowers each spring which is a worthwhile reason to travel to the Northern Cape Province.
Afrikaans, Setswana and IsiXhosa are the mother tongue of nearly all the inhabitants. Calvinia, Carnavon, Colesberg, De Aar, Kuruman, Springbok, Sutherland and Upington are the other main urban centres. The last remaining true San (Bushman) people live in the Kalahari area of the Northern Cape. Travel through the Northern Cape Province to see the San rock engravings and fossils found along the Orange River.
Mining of diamonds, iron ore, copper, manganese, marble and semi-precious stones are the main economic activities. Sheep farming (including karakul) and marine farming also take place.
The weather conditions are extreme. The rainfall is low and very unreliable. Northern Cape falls in the summer rainfall region and Kimberley’s annual rainfall is 414mm. To the west it is even drier. Summer days are hot to very hot, winter days are sunny and warm but winter nights are very cold with frost.
The main attractions to consider when planning to travel to South Africa's Northern Cape Province
• Diamond mining:
The Big Hole in Kimberley – largest hand-dug excavation in the world.
• Augrabies Waterfall
Part of a National Park of 185km²
• Namakwaland
Wild Flower carpets in spring
• Kuruman:
Natural eye/spring, delivers 20 million litres of water daily.
• Kgalagadi Transfrontier Game Park:
One of the largest conservation areas in southern Africa. Desert type animals part of peace park shared with Botswana.
• Upington:
Orange River Wine Cellars and Dried fruit plant
• Sutherland:
World renowned observatory. One of South Africa's most unique travel destinations |
