Clanwilliam, Western Cape

Province

Clanwilliam is a town in the municipality Cederberg, district, West Coast, Western Cape Province in South Africa. 2011, it had 7,674 inhabitants. It is located about 230 kilometers north of Cape Town. The city is one of the oldest cities in South Africa and is situated at the foot of the Cederberg ( Cederberg ) and on the banks of the Olifants, which is dammed here. Not far from Clanwilliam is found with the Soom Shale one of the most important fossil deposits of the Ordovician.

Clanwilliam is the center of the growing region of the rooibos teas. In addition, Clanwilliam is known for its extraordinary flowers in spring.

Attractions

Dam

The water supply of downstream areas from Bulshoek Dam (24 kilometers downstream of Clanwilliam ) were supplied was the beginning of the 20th century inadequate. Then 1932-1935 three kilometers was built outside of Clanwilliam a new dam in the Olifants to ensure the supply. He was in the first stage of construction 38 meters high ( above the normal river water level ) with a capacity of around 74 million m³ and a surface area of ​​786 hectares. The catchment area of 2090 km ² includes the rainy mountain region a south of Ceres and provides an annual cash outflow of approximately 456 million cubic meters, the dam flew every winter. In order to increase the safety of the water supply, the dam was 1964-1968 increased by six meters. The new capacity is approximately 121 million cubic meters.

In addition to the water supply, the reservoir serves a variety of leisure activities such as Clanwilliam Triathlon in September / October each year.

Archaeological finds

Are of archaeological interest the numerous rock paintings of the ancestors of the San, who were found in the entire cedar mountains of northern Western Cape.

In an Abri known as Hollow Rockshelter numerous stone tools of the " Still Bay Industry" from the era of the Middle Stone Age were discovered, which were dated to 80000-72000 years.

Clanwilliam is also the seat of Clanwilliam Living Landscape Project, which sensitized the locals and they formed for the protection of this unique cultural legacy.

Traffic

Clanwilliam is accessible by the N7 road. It is also connected to Wupper valley on a dirt road.