South Africa
Cape Town
Western Cape
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Location:
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Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the
continent of Africa
Western Cape |
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Background:
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After
the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in
1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked
north to found their own republics. The discovery of
diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and
immigration and intensified the subjugation of the
native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British
encroachments, but were defeated in the Boer War
(1899-1902). The resulting Union of South Africa
operated under a policy of apartheid - the separate
development of the races. The 1990s brought an end
to apartheid politically and ushered in black
majority rule. |
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Natural hazards:
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prolonged droughts
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Environment - current issues:
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lack
of important arterial rivers or lakes requires
extensive water conservation and control measures;
growth in water usage outpacing supply; pollution of
rivers from agricultural runoff and urban discharge;
air pollution resulting in acid rain; soil erosion;
desertification |
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Exchange rates:
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rand
per US dollar - 10.54 (2002), 8.61 (2001), 6.94
(2000), 6.11 (1999), 5.53 (1998) |
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