| Sutherland | |
|---|---|
| — Town — | |
|
Sutherland
|
|
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Northern Cape |
| District Municipality | Namakwa |
| Local Municipality | Karoo Hoogland |
| Established | 1858 |
| Time zone | SAST (UTC+2) |
Sutherland is a town with about 2,840 inhabitants in the Northern Cape province of South Africa.[1] It lies in the western Roggeveld Mountains in the Karoo.
Sutherland's arid climate and remote location 1,450 metres (4,760 ft) above sea level make its night skies among the world's clearest and darkest. The telescopes of the South African Astronomical Observatory are nearby at . These include the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere.[2]
Sutherland is among the coldest towns in South Africa, although Buffelsfontein holds the official honour.[3] Winter snow is common. The coldest temperature recorded in Sutherland was -16.4°C on 12 July 2003. The average yearly temperature is 11°C. Sutherland has a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk).
Major economic activities include tourism and sheep farming.[4] The area includes at least twelve registered B&B's, guest houses and guest farms.[5] Sutherland has recently gained in popularity, with many Capetonians buying property in the town and many more visiting on weekends and vacations.
An NGK Dutch Reformed church in Sutherland was built before the Anglo Boer War. Sutherland is also the birthplace of NP van Wyk Louw, WEG Louw and Adriaan Vlok.
| Climate data for Sutherland | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 27 (81) |
27 (81) |
24 (75) |
20 (68) |
16 (61) |
12 (54) |
12 (54) |
14 (57) |
16 (61) |
20 (68) |
23 (73) |
25 (77) |
19 (66) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 17 (63) |
18 (64) |
15 (59) |
11 (52) |
8 (46) |
5 (41) |
5 (41) |
6 (43) |
8 (46) |
11 (52) |
14 (57) |
16 (61) |
11 (52) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 8 (46) |
8 (46) |
6 (43) |
3 (37) |
0 (32) |
−1 (30) |
−2 (28) |
−1 (30) |
0 (32) |
2 (36) |
5 (41) |
7 (45) |
2 (36) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 12 (0.47) |
17 (0.67) |
27 (1.06) |
25 (0.98) |
24 (0.94) |
34 (1.34) |
25 (0.98) |
24 (0.94) |
15 (0.59) |
15 (0.59) |
15 (0.59) |
12 (0.47) |
244 (9.61) |
| Source: [6] | |||||||||||||
| Municipalities and communities of Namakwa District Municipality, Northern Cape District seat: Springbok |
|
|---|---|
| Local municipalities |
Hantam • Kamiesberg • Karoo Hoogland • Khâi-Ma • Nama Khoi • Richtersveld |
| Cities and towns |
Aggeneys • Alexander Bay • Brandvlei • Buffelsrivier • Bulletrap • Calvinia • Carolusberg • Concordia • Eksteenfontein • Fraserburg • Garies • Hondeklip Bay • Kamassies • Kamieskroon • Karkams • Kheis • Khubus • Kleinzee • Klipfontein • Koingnaas • Komaggas • Lekkersing • Leliefontein • Loeriesfontein • McDougall's Bay • Nababeep • Niewoudtville • Nourivier • Okiep • Onseepkans • Paulshoek • Pella • Pofadder • Port Nolloth • Rooifontein Norap • Sanddrif • Soebatsfontein • Spoegrivier • Springbok • Steinkopf • Sutherland • Tweerivier • Vioolsdrif • Williston |
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