Amathole Mountains

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View of the chain of the Amathole Mountains in Keiskammahoek

The Amathole Mountains (English Amatole Mountains, according to isiXhosa also Amathole Mountains ) are the eastern part of a steep elevation level in the South African province of the Eastern Cape. According to them, the eponymous administrative district is named. The Amathole Mountains are one of the forest -and water- richest regions in the province.

Location of the Amathole Mountains

The mountain range extends Amathole district in west-east direction in a slightly curved shape. To the north, the mountain range runs out in an undulating upland adjoining the westernmost Katberg area of winter mountains on the north and lying Windvoëlberg at Cathcart. Its southern foreland consists of hills and some valleys, which leads down into the plain between the towns of Fort Beaufort and King William 's Town. The chain of the Amathole Mountains runs from Juana mountain area with the Tyhume Peak ( 1480 m above sea level) in the west to the expiring heights on Toise River to the east.

To the west, the massif of panel Elandsbergs follows, which forms the transition to the chain of winter mountains. In the east the mountain chain drops into the valley of Toise River, which flows through the Kubusi the Great Kei River.

Landscape and classification

The Amathole Mountains are characterized by some striking peaks. In the West, the Gaika 's are Kop (1963 m above sea level ) and the Menziesberg (1644 m). Then the three peaks of Hogsback (up to 1936 m) and to the east and near the Dontsa Pass of Mount Thomas (1617 m) and the follow Kubusi (1662 m). Between two mountains closes at right angles to the main ridge of the Amathole Mountains Isidenge the small mountains with the highest peaks of Mount Kempt ( 1420 m ) and Mount Charybdis ( 1289 m). The eastern foothills of the main chain is as Kologha Mountain ( also Xolora ) denotes that its highest peak with the Dohne Peak (1454 m) has.

In their midst they enclose with the foothills of the mountain range, this Isidenge Keiskamma Basin.

The formation and geology

The Amathole Mountains are formed by the volcanic activity in the southern hemisphere at the time of the Early Jurassic, as in these processes magma intruded into the sedimentary strata of the Karoo Basin and main parts were lifted from them. The sandstone slab in many places by dykes and sills ( sills ) of dolerite was penetrated and split. The elevations of the mountains consist in most cases Doleritintrusionen, the eroded at their flanks Doleritgeröll and usually have inclined sandstone layers. The southern edge of the mountains fall steeply and often forms a clearly pronounced escarpment. This relief leads to numerous places to steep cliffs and is the cause of several waterfalls.

Climate and ecosystem

The climate is temperate in the upper mountain zones, subtropical, however, in the lower areas. During the winter period may occur in the mountainous areas above 1000 meters in considerable snowfall. The snowpack is only briefly. During the warmer periods here rains and can reach their amount to 1300 mm per year. The south upstream hills and flat land is relatively low precipitation and much warmer.

On the slopes of the Amathole Mountains still exist parts of the original wooded landscape. They are placed in their sensitive areas protected and accessible only in a few places because of the terrain relief and their biodiversity. Parts of the mountains are examined because of a protected status as a biosphere reserve by the Landmark Foundation.

The individual forest areas on the main chain of the mountains are in the direction of West to East Auckland Forest, Hogsback State Forest, Malan Forest, Cata Forest, Mount Thomas Forest, Kubusi State Forest and Fort Cunynghame Forest. Are located at the south running mountain outcrops: Wolf River Main Forest, Forest Lenye, Piri Main Forest, Cwencwe Forest and the Isidenge State Forest.

The forest areas in some invasive plants spreading Black ( Acacia mearnsii ), Green ( Acacia decurrens Fabaceae ) and Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata ) are often preferred to watch in places nearby forest areas. Therefore the program Amatola Wattle Survey of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry ( DWAF ) and the Forestry Enterprise Development Office has been launched to investigate the spread of these harmful plants and map.

The water balance of the rock is due to the rainfall and good storage capacity of the Karoo sandstone layers. The rivers of the north slope drain the area over the subsequent highlands in the system of the Great Kei River. The southern slope has countless small streams. The largest rivers are here Tyhume River and Keiskamma River.

An increasing problem is the soil erosion in some parts of the mountain range and its foothills; they do not only leads to loss of valuable rural areas, but also threatens the functioning of some water production plants. The clayey- sandy Feinstkornsedimente settle in dams and reduce the water storage capacity.

Colonization

The region is structured mainly rural. There are few major settlements with small-town character, which lie on a slope and foot of the mountains. These are the cities Stutterheim and Keiskammahoek.

The southern foothills of the side valleys is a traditional and still preferred settlement area of ​​the Xhosa and consequently covered with numerous rural scattered settlements. Here are many roads since 1994 attached and been improved drinking water infrastructure.

Between the Xhosa settlements, there are some farms that represent individual groups of houses in most cases. A special feature is the village of Hogsback, which owes its existence to a rest stop at an old military road, but was in their development influenced by wealthy merchants from East London and Port Elizabeth. In this context, forms with its partially -see garden land a " park-like " settlement in the pleasant air to a height of over 1000 meters.

Traffic

The upper central mountain areas can only be reached on unpaved roads and trails. Some parts are locked reasons of nature protection for the public traffic. At the eastern end of the well-developed national road N6 crosses the mountains. To this end, they must be in a gentle rise, which expires mountain range traverse to reach the north extending highlands and to provide the service on to Cathcart.

Almost parallel to this national road runs an electrified railway line on the eastern declivity of the mountains, which they traversed with a tunnel on the top of her pitch. It connects East London with Queenstown. Originally perverted here is a narrow gauge railway, which led only to Cathcart and had a different, much more sophisticated routing. This line is no longer practiced today, the tracks are dismantled and is still visible as a visitor attraction in the former station Old Thomas River near the Amathole mountains.

The western part of the Amathole Mountains is accessed through the Hogsback Pass road. It replaced the mountain crossing on the Michel 's Pass to the achievement of a longer journey through the valley of Kat River about Seymour was necessary.

In the mountains of the main chain, a relatively well developed network of trails for backpackers ( Amatole Hiking Trail ) exists.

Economy

In the field of Amathole Mountains few economic activities are possible. The primary source of income is forestry, some plantations, tourism, regional self- care structures and public administration.

After 1994, the drinking water systems have been promoted in a special way by the administration of the Eastern Cape Province afforestation and enlargement. An intensive timber industry exists in the region around Stutterheim. The local Xhosa population lives on these companies or working as service personnel in the tourism industry, provided that it has a job. A part of her commutes to the nearby urban centers of King William 's Town, Keiskammahoek, Bisho and Alice or in the industrial area Dimbaza.

To a lesser extent, the grasslands are obtained as a raw material source for traditional basket maker and especially Besenbinder work. At the center of the grass species Cymbopogon validus collecting activity is called by the Xhosa Irwashu. This manual work is accompanied by a regional project and exercised primarily in the area of ​​the municipality Mxhalanga. Mxhalanga is located at the southeastern end of the small Isidenge mountain range. The finished product of these activities are offered in Alice, Cathcart, East London, King William 's Town, Queenstown and Stutterheim for sale. A particular employer is the University of Fort Hare, which provides technical and scientific jobs.

The white indigenous population made ​​their income on farms, in the factories of the surrounding small towns or as scientists at the University of Fort Hare.

Increasingly win the nature reserves and sensitive ecosystems in the mountain regions of economic importance. It is advertised on the basis of a gentle ecotourism and thematic tours with plant and animal observations offered.

Attractions

Other attractions in the Amathole Mountains and their foothills include:

• Alpine Trail Amatole Hiking Trail
• Keiskammahoek
• Ranger fortified settlement of 1878 in Stutterheim
• Waterfalls and garden plots of Hogsback
• Forest resources in the region
• Road at Dontsa Pass
• Chief Sandiles grave
• Amathole Museum in King William 's Town with extensive collection
• Memorial Ntaba KaNdoda at Dimbaza