Springbok, Northern Cape

Province

Springbok (founded as Springbokfontein ) is the supply center of Namaqualand in the community Nama Khoi, District Namakwa, Northern Cape Province in South Africa. Springbok is the district capital of Namakwa. It was named the city after the great herds of springbok, which roamed the area in the 19th century until these were almost exterminated by the settlers. 2011, the city had 12,790 inhabitants.

Location

The city is spread across several hills, just off the N7 main road, the Cape Town ( 550 km south ) and Namibia's capital Windhoek ( 900 km north ) together. The border crossing at the Orange is located at Vioolsdrif on the South African and Noordoewer on the Namibian side, 120 kilometers north of Springbok.

History

Characterised is the story of the town from mining. The first expedition of Europeans in this part of the Cape Colony in 1685 was directed by Simon van der Stel, first governor of the Cape Colony. He had reports of the rich copper deposits in the area heard also the legends of the mythical kingdom of Munhumutapa, "somewhere in the North".

Van der Stel camped five kilometers east of the present town of Springbok, at a point where he made three test holes. The largest of the drilling shaft, on which he left his initials, has been declared a national monument and a tourist attraction. Van Der position sent scouts to the westerly Atlantic coast to search for a suitable harbor for the ships to transport the copper later, but he only received reports that the shoreline was so smooth and flat that there is no usable bays or additions gave.

The first major copper mine took in 1852 on the operation. The owner of the farm Melkboschkuil, the family Cloete, sold the land to the operators Philips & King. The city was founded under the name Springbokfontein ( German: " Springbok source " ) was carried out in 1862 By 1880 rich copper deposits were further discovered north at Okiep, thanks to the year-round water source supplying Springbok was the center for the care of the miners in the region..

Climate

In Springbok throughout the year falls over with less than 25 mm per month is very little precipitation. In the months of December to March, the highest mean maximum values ​​are reached by about 30 ° C, minimum temperatures are still above 15 ° C. Cooler it is during the months of June to August: The Tagesthöchstwerte then lie on average just under 20 ° C, the average daily low are around 6 ° C to 7 ° C.

Tourism

In Springbok there is accommodation in all price ranges. While the desert bloom, in August / September, but the accommodations are usually fully booked well in advance.

Attractions

  • Goegap, nature reserve, about 15 kilometers east of the city to the airport.
  • Namaqua National Park, near Kamieskroon, about 50 kilometers south of Springbok. Part of the national park is known for flower lovers earlier Skilpad Wildflower Reserve.
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