Barkly East

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This article is largely based on the article in the out-of-copyright 11th edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica, which was produced in 1911. It should be brought up to date to reflect subsequent history or scholarship (including the references, if any). When you have completed the review, replace this notice with a simple note on this article's talk page. Thanks!

Barkly East is a town in Northern Cape Province, South Africa, capital of a district of the same name, and 80 miles by rail E.S.E. of Aliwal North. The town lies north of the Drakensberg on the Kraai tributary of the Orange River at an elevation of 5831 ft. The district lies close to the nexus of Lesotho and the Transkei region. Barkly East is characterized by beautiful rugged mountains and green valleys. Snow falls in winter.

The district has an area of 1564 m². and a population (1904) of 8490, of whom 50% are whites. Xhosa is spoken by many people, and English is the lingua franca. The chief occupation followed is sheep-farming, the pasturage being excellent. Like Barkly West, the town and district are named after Sir Henry Barkly, governor of Cape Colony, 1870-1877.

The area is well-known for excellent trout fishing. A variety of caves contain rock paintings by the San that date back hundreds of years, and visitors interested in San art stay at cottages on local farms.