Calitzdorp Explained

Calitzdorp
Pushpin Map:South Africa Western Cape#South Africa
Coordinates:-33.5375°N 21.6853°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:South Africa
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Western Cape
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Garden Route
Subdivision Type3:Municipality
Subdivision Name3:Kannaland
Subdivision Type4:Main Place
Established Title:Established
Leader Title:Councillor
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:26.33
Elevation M:240
Population Total:4284
Population As Of:2011
Population Density Km2:auto
Demographics Type1:Racial makeup (2011)
Demographics1 Title1:Black African
Demographics1 Info1:4.3%
Demographics1 Title2:Coloured
Demographics1 Info2:85.5%
Demographics1 Title3:Indian/Asian
Demographics1 Info3:0.5%
Demographics1 Title4:White
Demographics1 Info4:8.9%
Demographics1 Title5:Other
Demographics1 Info5:0.8%
Demographics Type2:First languages (2011)
Demographics2 Title1:Afrikaans
Demographics2 Info1:94.2%
Demographics2 Title2:English
Demographics2 Info2:3.3%
Demographics2 Title5:Other
Demographics2 Info5:2.5%
Timezone1:SAST
Utc Offset1:+2
Postal Code Type:Postal code (street)
Postal Code:6660
Postal2 Code Type:PO box
Postal2 Code:6660
Area Code Type:Area code
Area Code:044

Calitzdorp is a town on the Western side of the Little or Klein Karoo in the Western Cape Province of South Africa and lies on South Africa's Route 62.

History

The farm Buffelsvallei, on which Calitzdorp stands, was granted to Jacobus Johannes and Matthys Christiaan Calitz in 1831. The brothers donated part of their farm for the establishment of a church in 1853 and in 1858 the church started the sale of plots to church members. In 1924 a railway line was opened, in 1937 electrification and a new cement road to Oudtshoorn was completed.

Geography

The Swartberg (in the North), Rooiberge (to the South) and the Mountains of the Huisrivier Pass (to the West) surrounds Calitzdorp's challenging landscape with floods, droughts and extreme weather, from very hot to snow clad mountaintops in the winter.

Climate

Summers are very hot during the day, mainly a dry heat, up to 40 °C. Wind from the sea every afternoon allows for moderate, cool evenings. Winters have sunny days, very cold nights with occasional frost and snow often falling on the surrounding Swartberg Mountain Range. Rainfall is approximately 200 mm per year, often with the changing of seasons. Prevailing winds are mainly from the south in summer and hot wind from the North in August.

Tourism

Calitzdorp is a haven for enthusiasts of fishing, bird-watching, 4×4 and other scenic routes, horse-riding and wine tasting.

Calitzdorp is renowned as a centre of the port wine industry in South Africa with several major wine estates famous for their award-winning products.[2] [3] [4] A Port festival takes place in the town in mid-June each year.[5]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Main Place Calitzdorp . Census 2011.
  2. Web site: Boplaas Family Vineyards Since 1880 | South Africa. Boplaas Wines.
  3. Web site: Calitzdorp Cellar | Taste The Klein Karoo in the heart of Calitzdorp. Calitzdorp Cellar.
  4. Web site: Main Home. De Krans Wines.
  5. Web site: CALITZDORP PORT & WINE FESTIVAL . sa-venues.