Kuruman

Province

Kuruman is a former British mission station and the largest city in the municipality of Ga - Segonyana, Kgalagadi District, Northern Cape Province in South Africa. 2011 they had 13 057 inhabitants. She is known as the "Oasis of the Kalahari ", since there are there mountains, water and dense vegetation in the middle of a semi-desert region. Specifically, the city owes its name to the never-ending freshwater source The Oog, ( German: "The Eye "), even Eye of Kuruman. It provides 20 to 30 million liters of clean water daily. The source is a national monument.

The city is situated on the plateau Ghaap in 1131 meters height on the main road from Upington to Johannesburg. Is named the city after Kudumane, a San - chief of the 18th century.

Robert Moffat, a Scottish missionary who lived here from 1820 until 1870. He translated the first Bible in an African language ( Setswana ). His grandson Howard Unwin Moffat, the second Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia, was born here on 13 January 1869.

Economy

Economic importance in the region are mining and agriculture. Various mineral raw materials are mined here, for example, manganese ore, iron ore and the world's largest amounts of crocidolite ( blue asbestos ). Also, tourism is an important source of income. In the surroundings of the city are some of the greatest hunting areas in South Africa.

Climate

Because of its location at the edge of the Kalahari occur in extreme temperature differences between summer and winter. During the winter months there are regular Frost, from December to April provide moist north and northeast winds for frequent thunderstorms 40 ° C in summer exceeded despite the altitude. The average rainfall is 420 mm per year.

Attractions

  • Billy Duvenhage Nature Reserve
  • The Oog
  • Kalahari Raptor Rehabilitation Centre
  • Moffat Mission Station
  • Bird Sanctuary ( with 115 different species of birds )
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