De Aar, Northern Cape

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De Aar is a town in the Northern Cape, South Africa. It has a population of around 27,000 (1996 figures ^[1]).

The name means "the artery", a reference to its underground water supply. It is the second-most important railway junction in the country ^[2], situated on the line between Cape Town and Kimberley. The junction was of particular strategic importance to the British during the Second Boer War. The area surrounding the town is popular for hunting, despite the fact that the region is rather arid.

1 Notable landmarks
2 Famous people
3 See also
4 Notes
5 References

[edit] Notable landmarks

There are ancient Khoisan rock engravings on the Nooitgedacht and Brandfontein farms. Additionally, there is a "Garden of Remembrance", which honours the British troops killed in the Anglo-Boer War. The town is also home to a major military ammunition dump. The DoD Ammunition Sub Depot De Aar is located about 2km west of the town. De Aar is famous amongst Paragliding & Hanggliding pilots, worldwide as it holds 2 World records & many countries National distance records. De Aar is also the host to the XC World Series 2008 & 2009

[edit] Famous people

Olive Schreiner, the feminist author, lived in De Aar for a while, although her house has now been converted into a restaurant.

[edit] See also

The South African Wine Initiative

[edit] Notes

^ As given by citypopulation.de
^ places.co.za

[edit] References

citypopulation.de - Populations in urban areas in South Africa.
places.co.za - De Aar
angelfire.com - About De Aar

	v • d • e Municipalities and Communities of Karoo District Municipality, Northern Cape District Seat: De Aar
Local municipalities	Siyancuma • Emthanjeni • Umsombomvu • Siyathemba • Ubuntu • Thembelihle • Kareeberg • Renosterberg • Bo Karoo
Cities and towns	De Aar