Heidelberg, Western Cape
| Heidelberg | |
|---|---|
  Heidelberg Heidelberg shown within South Africa
| |
| Coordinates: 34°05′S 20°57′E / 34.083°S 20.950°ECoordinates: 34°05′S 20°57′E / 34.083°S 20.950°E | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Western Cape |
| District | Eden |
| Municipality | Hessequa |
| Area[1] | |
| • Total | 23.69 km2 (9.15 sq mi) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
| • Total | 8,259 |
| • Density | 350/km2 (900/sq mi) |
| Racial makeup (2011)[1] | |
| • Black African | 9.3% |
| • Coloured | 75.3% |
| • Indian/Asian | 0.4% |
| • White | 14.4% |
| • Other | 0.6% |
| First languages (2011)[1] | |
| • Afrikaans | 91.9% |
| • English | 3.4% |
| • Xhosa | 2.9% |
| • Other | 1.8% |
| Postal code (street) | 6665 |
| PO box | 6665 |
| Area code | 028 |
Heidelberg is a town in Western Cape, South Africa. It is located near South Africa's south coast, on the N2 highway, 274 km east of Cape Town (about half way between Cape Town and Knysna). Heidelberg is just east to the Overberg region, and some consider it the beginning of the Garden Route.
In 1716, Louis Fourie obtained grazing rights from Governor Van der Stel and he settled alongside the Duivenhoks River.[citation needed] This is where he later constructed the Doornboom Homestead - registered in 1728 - and the Doornboom Farm was established.
The area was initially part of the greater Riversdale district until the Riversdale Dutch Reformed church council in 1855 bought a portion of the farm Doornboom on which to lay out the town when a new Dutch Reformed congregation was created for the farmers between Swellendam and Riversdale..
The town grew around the church and it was named in honour of the German town, Heidelberg, because of the Heidelberg catechism that was practiced in the church. Heidelberg is today what was once Doornboom Farm.
In 1903 Heidelberg became part of the railway network and became an important transport link for the wool, wheat, fruit, and tobacco industries of the area. The river, the Duivenhoks (Dovecote), was named by an explorer, Isaq Schrijver, who observed a lot of doves where the river flows into the Indian Ocean, at a place called Puntjie.
The Duivenhoks River has its origins in the Langeberg range and slowly flows through the undulating foothills.
Heidelberg is part of the Hessequa Local Municipality.
Fourie House on Fourie Street is the oldest house in Heidelberg.
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Dutch Reformed Church in Heidelberg
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Outlying Valley in Heidelberg. Western Cape
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Fourie House / Doornboom Opstal. The oldest House in Heidelberg. Built in 1728
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Main Place Heidelberg". Census 2011.
External links
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