Brandberg Mountain

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The Brandberg
The Brandberg Massif viewed from the south at sunset
Elevation	2,573 metres (8,441 feet)^[1]
Location	Damaraland, Namibia
Coordinates	21°07′S 14°33′E
Easiest route	Ga'aseb River Valley^{[citation needed]}

Landsat 7 image of the Brandberg Massif

The Brandberg (Herero: Omukuruvaro), is Namibia's highest mountain, and is located in Damaraland, in the northwestern Namib Desert, near the coast, and covers an area of approximately 650 km².^[1] With its hightest point, the Königstein (German for King's Stone), standing at 2573m above sea level and located on the flat Namib gravel plains, on a clear day 'The Brandberg' can be seen from a great distance. There are various routes to the summit, the easiest (also steepest) being up the Ga'aseb river valley, but other routes include the Hungurob and Tsisab river valleys.

The name Brandberg is german for Fire Mountain, which comes from its glowing color which is sometimes seen in the setting sun. The Herero name for the mountain, Omukuruvaro means 'mountain of the Gods'.

The nearest settlement is Uis, roughly 30km from the mountain.

1 Geology
2 Rock Painting
3 Wildlife
4 External links
5 References

[edit] Geology

The Brandberg Massif or Brandberg Intrusion is a granitic intrusion, which forms a dome-shaped plateau. The geology of the area is typical of Damaraland, which is littered with beautifully eroded mountains, hills and koppies (small hills), which are made up of granite boulders. These piles of granite are ancient magma chambers, formed billions of years ago when under ground volcanic activity was common in southern Africa. Over the millennia, these massive deposits of magma cooled and have been exposed, as we see them today, by the forces of erosion. One basic ingredient found in granite is the mineral feldspar. Feldspar is often a pinkish colour and Damaraland is blessed with mountains and koppies of a most spectacular red / pink colour that during sunrise and sunset can sometimes take on an almost blood red colour. 'The Brandberg' is a perfect example of this and is one of the reasons why Damaraland is the main contender for the "most beautiful region in Namibia".

[edit] Rock Painting

White Lady, Brandberg, Namibia

To the San (Bushman) tribes, The Brandberg is regarded as a spiritual site of significance. The main tourist attraction to the mountain is The White Lady rock painting, located on a panel, also depicting other art work, on a small rock overhang, in the Tsisab Ravine at the mountain's foot. The ravine contains more than 1,000 rock shelters, as well as more than 45,000 rock paintings.^[2]

To reach The White Lady it is necessary to hike for about 40 minutes over rough terrain, along the ancient watercourses contained within the mountain.

[edit] Wildlife

The Brandberg is also home to some stunning desert flora. Damaraland is well known for its weird looking aloes and euphoria's and the region around the mountain is no exception to the rest of Damaraland. The area has many plants and trees that look like they have been imported from outer space, their appearance being further "enhanced" by the cruel climate they are forced to live in.

The area is uninhabited and wild. It is very arid and finding water can be difficult or impossible. In summer temperatures over 40°C are routine.

Nonetheless, the Brandberg area is home to a large diversity of wildlife. The numbers of animals are small because the climate cannot support large populations, however most of the desert species that are found in Namibia are present and lucky visitors to the area might catch sight of a desert dwelling elephant or a rare black rhino.