Ceres, Western Cape

Province

Ceres is the capital of the municipality Witzberg, district, Cape Winelands in the Western Cape Province in South Africa. Ceres is located about 60 kilometers northeast of Paarl and had 33 224 inhabitants in 2011. Ceres is named after the sister of Jupiter, the Roman goddess of agriculture, marriage and death (see also: Ceres ). The city lies at Dwars River in a valley. In the city there is also a Jewish cemetery.

History

After the environment has been permanently settled by the advancing Boers with the establishment of their farms, the city was founded in 1849 as others in the region as the point of care for these surrounding farms. It was given its name in 1858 when it received market rights.

On September 29, 1969, the area around Ceres was shaken at 22:03 clock for 15 seconds from the most severe earthquakes in the history of South Africa. The magnitude of the earthquake was 6.3 on the Richter scale or VIII on the Mercalli scale. The tremors were felt up to 1175 km distant Durban. The earthquake was followed by several aftershocks. The heaviest of them on April 14, 1970 had a magnitude of 5.7. Through the quake, the town was badly damaged. Even solid stone buildings collapsed, mud houses have been completely destroyed. Almost all the roads were cracked, pipes burst and grave stones fell. Some dams were damaged. Due to the geological conditions of the joke mountain chain is expected in the future with further tremors.

Economy

Ceres is one of the largest vegetable and fruit growing areas of South Africa. It is also grown for export. In addition, here fruit juices are produced and vinified wine also for some time.