Sneeuberge
P1P5
On the southern slopes of the Massif Sneeuberg in Camdeboo National Park
The Sneeuberg, also Sneeuberg Mountains (English Snow Mountains ), called mountain group is an extensive South African mountains in the provinces of Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Northern Cape. This mountain landscape belongs to the arid and semi-arid regions in southwestern South Africa ( Karoo in the broader sense ). The Sneeuberg massif forms an important section of the Great Escarpment ( Great Escarpment ) in South Africa.
- 9.1 Notes and references
Expansion
In the north, west and south of the mountain range merges into the undulating land of the Karoo desert. In the east the Sneeuberg surveys fall off in the Great Fish River Basin (Fish River Basin ). Southeast closes over a saddle the bank mountain massif to the south and sit down in front of the mountains, the plains of Camdeboo continued. In the West, Nelspoort zone closes at
Traffic and transport
By Sneeuberg Mountains run a railway line and the National Road N9. Both link the cities of Graaff- Reinet and Middelburg.
The regional road R63 leads from Graaff -Reinet in a westerly direction over two passes to Murray Castle in the Western Cape. From the small transport hub Betheshdaweg you have access to the regional road R61 on the eastern foothills to Cradock.
Road traffic overcomes several passes. These are the:
- Lootsberg Pass (1789 meters)
- Naudeberg Pass (1400 meters)
- Wapadsberg Pass (1700 meters) (at the bank mountain massif passing leader )
- Goliatskraal se Hoogte
- Ouberg Pass on the R63, turn-off to Nieu Bethesda
Colonization
The main settlements are located at the edge and thus in the lower water-rich layers of the Sneeuberg region. These include the villages of Castle Murray, Nieu Bethesda, Bethesdaweg and Heydon. In the plains them upstream are Graaff-Reinet and Middelburg.
Vegetation
The Sneeuberg massif is characterized in many areas of sparsely vegetated landscapes. The semi-arid climate of the Karoo allows only a poor vegetation. Large areas are covered with semi- desert-like boulder fields where scattered low shrub plants ( so-called Strauchkaroo ) occur. In humid regions are encountered grass savanna and water-rich canyons and tree stands. The vegetation -rich areas of the mountains are found in its eastern and southern parts. In studies 1195 plant species have been identified.
Geology, structure, water
The geological conditions and the water situation in a particular way decisive for the use of the Sneeubergs as farmland. The latter led, favored by the prevailing climatic conditions, to anthropogenic alteration of the soil and the water balance.
Geological conditions
The Sneeuberg massif belongs geologically to the main Karoo Basin. It consists of sedimentary rocks of the Beaufort Group. Typical rocks are sandstones and mudstones. In many places the typical of the Karoo dolerite intrusions through system beat in the form of dykes and sills, the sedimentary units.
Structure
Individual areas of Sneeuberg Mountains have their own name. In the south are the Koueveld Mountains ( 2,388 meters) and the Kamdeboo Mountains ( 1,804 meters). The Kompasberg is 2,504 meters the highest peak of the mountain. He was named in 1778 by Colonel Robert Jacob Gordon during a Rekognoszierungsreise with the Governor Joachim van Plettenberg to the limits of the then Cape Colony.
The existing mountain plateaus lie at altitudes between 1800-2100 meters.
Hydrological conditions
The drainage of the mountain range to the north carried out in the system of the Orange down to the Atlantic Ocean. These include the Seacow River and some of its tributaries.
In eastern direction of Kleinbrakrivier brings the water in the Great Fish River. To the south, the surface water is derived mainly on the Sundays River. The running along the western edge of the mountains Kariega River drained by the Groot River and further below the Gamtoos River in the Indian Ocean.
One problem is caused by soil erosion entry of sediments into watercourses dar. The entrained gravel, sand and silt leads to a permanent strain on water management facilities, a loss of usable land area. In some places you have not used such sediment fills to study their temporal development sequence.
The problem of erosion goes with him deep into the terrain drastic erosion gullies ( gullies ) and associated leads a large area to changes in the natural vegetation. The erosion and changes in soil were included here for the purpose of exploring multiple cartographically. Regarding the formation of erosion gullies in the Sneeubergen you already excludes a period prior to 1940, as a period of heavy rain acted on the heavily used by livestock floor.
Dams
Among the larger water storage systems belongs to the Nqweba Dam (formerly Van Ryneveldspass dam) in Graaff -Reinet and a dam on the Seacow Rivers on the northern slope of the mountains southeast of Richmond. In the valleys of the northern slopes of the mountains numerous smaller water reservoirs were created. Many of them serve in this barren landscape irrigation of an adjacent farm.
Economic activities
Due to the natural foundations of agricultural activities are limited. The Strauchkaroo allows for extensive livestock farming that offers few people an income basis. In the region of wool sheep breeding takes place and to a limited extent mohair is produced. Up to 1600 meters above sea level one uses moist valleys as pasture for sheep. Formerly built farms here in wheat.
A national park in Graaff -Reinet and the scenic situation allow some jobs in the field of outdoor tourism.
Attractions
- The Owl House is a museum to commemorate the inspirational work of the mystic Helen Martins. The museum was established in 1980.
- Is located at the southern foothills of the Camdeboo National Park
- The Valley of Desolation (Valley of Desolation ) is defined by its bizarre rock formations with steep walls.
Miscellaneous
With the name of this mountain the scientific name of a plant of the genus balloon peas is connected. This is the kind Lessertia sneeuwbergensis Germish.