Kimberley, Northern Cape

Kimberley, Northern Cape
Name	Kimberley, Northern Cape
Settlement type	City
Coordinates	28.7333° S, 24.7667° E
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	South Africa
Subdivision type1	Province
Subdivision name1	Northern Cape
Subdivision type2	Municipality
Subdivision name2	Sol Plaatje Local Municipality
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Patrick Mabilo
Area total km2	164.3
Population total	225,160
Population as of	2011

Kimberley, Northern Cape is a city located in the Northern Cape province of South Africa, known for its rich diamond mining history and significant cultural heritage, including the Big Hole, a large diamond mine that attracts visitors from around the world, such as London, Paris, and New York City. The city is situated near the Orange River, which flows through the Augrabies Falls National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, and is close to the Free State province and the Eastern Cape province. Kimberley is also home to the Sol Plaatje University, which is named after the famous Sol Plaatje, a South African writer and politician who was a key figure in the African National Congress and a close friend of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.

Geography

The city of Kimberley is situated in the Northern Cape province, near the Orange River, which forms the border between the Northern Cape and the Free State province. The city's geography is characterized by a mix of grasslands and savannas, with the Kamfers Dam and the Modder River being notable features of the area, which are also close to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and the Augrabies Falls National Park. The city's climate is semi-arid, with hot summers and cold winters, similar to other cities in the region, such as Upington and Bloemfontein. Kimberley is also close to the Diamond Coast, which includes the Namaqualand region and the West Coast of South Africa, and is known for its unique flora and fauna, including the Aloe dichotoma and the Meerkat.

History

The history of Kimberley dates back to the mid-19th century, when diamonds were discovered in the area, leading to a diamond rush that attracted people from all over the world, including Cecil Rhodes, Barney Barnato, and Alfred Beit. The city was founded in 1871 and was named after John Wodehouse, 1st Earl of Kimberley, the British Secretary of State for the Colonies at the time, who was a close friend of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The city played a significant role in the Second Boer War, with the Siege of Kimberley being a key event in the war, which involved the British Army, the Boer Forces, and notable figures such as Robert Baden-Powell and Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts. Kimberley is also home to the Kimberley Club, a historic club that was founded in 1881 and has hosted many notable figures, including Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, and Mahatma Gandhi.

Economy

The economy of Kimberley is primarily driven by the mining industry, with diamonds being the main commodity, and companies such as De Beers and Ekapa Mining being major players in the industry, which also involves the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. The city is also home to a number of other industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism, with the Big Hole and the Kimberley Mine Museum being popular tourist attractions, which attract visitors from around the world, such as Tokyo, Sydney, and Rio de Janeiro. The city has a well-developed infrastructure, with a number of major roads, including the N12 highway and the N8 highway, which connect Kimberley to other major cities in South Africa, such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.

Tourism

Tourism is a significant contributor to the economy of Kimberley, with the city offering a range of attractions and activities, including the Big Hole, the Kimberley Mine Museum, and the Sol Plaatje University, which is named after the famous Sol Plaatje, a South African writer and politician who was a key figure in the African National Congress. The city is also home to a number of historic buildings, including the Kimberley City Hall and the Dunluce, which are notable examples of Victorian architecture and are similar to other historic buildings in South Africa, such as the Cape Town City Hall and the Johannesburg City Hall. Visitors to the city can also explore the surrounding countryside, which offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, birdwatching, and game viewing, which can be done in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and the Augrabies Falls National Park.

Infrastructure

The city of Kimberley has a well-developed infrastructure, with a number of major roads, including the N12 highway and the N8 highway, which connect the city to other major cities in South Africa, such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. The city is also home to a number of other infrastructure facilities, including the Kimberley Airport, which offers flights to major cities in South Africa, such as OR Tambo International Airport and Cape Town International Airport, and the Transnet Freight Rail network, which connects the city to other major cities in South Africa and the rest of Africa, including Nairobi, Lagos, and Cairo. The city's infrastructure is managed by the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality, which is responsible for providing a range of services, including water and sanitation, electricity, and waste management, which are also provided by other municipalities in South Africa, such as the City of Johannesburg and the City of Cape Town.

Demographics

The demographics of Kimberley are characterized by a diverse population, with a mix of African, Coloured, White, and Indian people, who speak a range of languages, including Afrikaans, English, Sesotho, and Setswana. The city has a population of around 225,000 people, according to the 2011 census, which is similar to other cities in South Africa, such as Bloemfontein and Polokwane. The city is also home to a number of notable figures, including Sol Plaatje, Mahatma Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela, who all played a significant role in the history of South Africa and the African National Congress, and are remembered at the Sol Plaatje University and the Kimberley Mine Museum. The city's demographics are also influenced by its location near the Northern Cape province and the Free State province, which are home to a number of other cities, including Upington and Bloemfontein.

Category:Cities in South Africa