The Northern Cape has a particularly dry climate, but also happens to be where South Africa’s wealth of minerals is found. Kimberley is the provincial capital is known worldwide as the diamond capital of the country. Alluvial diamonds are located on the western side of the region, having been washed down the coast by the Orange River.
There are a number of other minerals found in the Northern Cape, including iron and copper, asbestos and manganese, fluorspar and marble, as well as various semi-precious stones popular in the jewellery industry. The Namakwa region has a different kind of wealth in its wild flowers, which explode into a riot of colour each spring and attract visitors from all over the country.
Despite the rather dry climate, there are also a variety of natural wonders in the region, most notably South Africa’s highest falls, the Augrabies. There are 19 separate waterfalls cascading over a granite plateau at a drop of nearly 200 metres. The Augrabies Falls are found within the national park along the Orange River. The Kalahari Gemsbok National Park is one of the continent’s foremost game reserves and is found along the border with Botswana, while Upington is one of the region's primary towns.
The Orange River is responsible for an extensive strip of fertile land on either side of its banks and the area is most noted for its vineyards. Other crops grown include wheat and groundnuts, with a focus on sheep farming, particularly the Karakul breed. Development continues in the marine industry, in a bid to counteract a history of impoverishment in the community. Those who can handle a largely arid landscape with relatively extreme temperatures will certainly find themselves right at home in the Northern Cape. |
