| The Northern Cape is the largest of South | | | | with wide open plains and mountains. This region is |
| Africa's provinces and the most sparsely | | | | renowned by astronomers for its remarkable |
| populated. Despite this, the Northern Cape has | | | | night skies and is home to the South African |
| plenty to offer visitors, whether their interests lie | | | | Astronomical Observatory. The region is also |
| in the origins of the diamond industry, the | | | | known for its spring wild flowers, and is home to |
| Anglo-Boer War, wildlife, the brilliant spring flowers | | | | the rare Sterboom.Kgalagadi Transfrontier National |
| of Namaqualand, canoeing on the mighty Orange | | | | Park:Africa's first transfrontier park, Kgalagadi |
| River or enjoying the clear skies and open spaces | | | | "land of thirst" is shared with and crosses the |
| of the Hantam and Upper Karoo.CLIMATE: The | | | | border into Botswana to facilitate the migration of |
| Northern Cape experiences a diverse range of | | | | wildlife and the movement of free-roaming |
| climatic conditions because of the respective | | | | predators; red sand dunes, sparse vegetation and |
| regions and altitudes. The Northern Cape enjoys a | | | | dry riverbeds of the Nossob and Auob ensure |
| summer rainfall, but this is infrequent. The | | | | excellent opportunities for game viewing and |
| summer months have long, hot summer days and | | | | photography. Fifty-eight species of mammal and |
| cool evenings. Winter days are moderate, but the | | | | more than 400 plant species share the desert and |
| nights are very cold with temperatures often | | | | dry savannah, while approx. 260 species of bird, |
| dropping below zero. Snow in winter and heavy | | | | including at least 20 species of large raptor share |
| frost falls at night are common.SHOPPING: There | | | | the sky.Richtersveld National Park:Southern |
| are many shopping malls, arts and craft shops, | | | | Africa's largest mountain desert park, the |
| and many ethic vendors on the beachfront. Good | | | | Richtersveld is 160 000ha of lava mountains and |
| buys include mohair products such as jerseys, | | | | sandy plains situated in the north-western crook |
| rugs and blankets; the famous Karoo Lamb, dried | | | | of the Orange River. It is also one of the world's |
| fruit, diamonds, jewellery and gems.TOP TEN | | | | most precious and fragile eco-systems. Its |
| ATTRACTIONS:The Diamond Field:This area is | | | | strange rock formations shaped and sculpted by |
| known as the prairie country of Southern Africa, | | | | the wind and sun, is a land for those keen to |
| with sun-drenched plains, covered in grass and | | | | 'rough it'. Visitors can explore the area from the |
| acacia thorn trees. To the geologists this is a | | | | comfort of a 4x4 or by paddling long stretches |
| bewildering delight, and for the tourist the | | | | of the river.Green Kalahari:Dominating this region |
| "Diamond Way" is an exciting journey, taking one | | | | are the lush vineyards and the massive Orange |
| back in time.Kimberley:Today the city is a | | | | River, which meanders through a giant valley. The |
| prosperous, thriving metropolis worthy of the title, | | | | Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and the Augrabies |
| "the Diamond Capital Of The World". The city is | | | | Falls National Park - with its famous Black Rhino |
| geared for tourists, with plenty to offer in terms | | | | Aventure, are not to be missed.Augrabies Falls |
| of accommodation, restaurants, shopping malls | | | | National Park:The Augrabies Falls, which is one of |
| and attractions. See a replica of the town during | | | | the five biggest waterfalls in the world, plunges a |
| the greatest diamond rush the world has ever | | | | sheer 56m into a rolling, turbulent maelstrom of |
| seen, as well as 'Eureka' - the world's first | | | | foam, mist and rainbows said to contain untold |
| recorded diamond discovery at the Big Hole and | | | | diamond wealth and a river monster. This is |
| Kimberley Mine museum.Groenriviersmond:The | | | | where the black rhino can be found and visitors |
| seaside estuary of Groenriviersmond (Green River | | | | can also go on game drives.Kalahari:The |
| Mouth) lies Southwest of Garies and offers | | | | sun-drenched Kalahari, with its ancient, undulating |
| excellent fishing and crayfish diving | | | | landscape and endless horizons, evoke memories |
| opportunities.Namaqualand:Spring time sees this | | | | of a land before time. This region is home to "The |
| region transformed from a desert landscape into | | | | Eye" a permanent and abundant source of daily |
| a carpet of colourful wild flowers, attracting many | | | | water. Hunting in the area is popular and the |
| visitors. Also an adventure tourist's playground, | | | | Kalahari is home to over 40 raptors and vulture |
| the region offers hiking, canoeing and 4x4 trails. | | | | species and 7 owl species.Gerald Crawford was |
| The coastline is popular with fishermen and hosts | | | | born in South Africa, studied electronics, |
| a booming crayfish industry. Diamonds are also | | | | telecommunication, eco-travel and african travel |
| mined from the sea and copper is mined too. The | | | | concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South |
| world-famous Richtersveld National Park is found | | | | Africa. If you have any questions or comments |
| in this region.Hantam Karoo:Millions of years ago, | | | | please e-mail me on. E-mail Address: |
| this area was an inland sea and over time it has | | | | southafricantravelarticles@12234455.co. |
| transformed into an arid and rugged landscape | | | | |