Blouberg (range)

Blouberg

NASA picture of the Blouberg (dark shape) and the Magkabeng Plateau right south of it
Highest point
Elevation 2,040 m (6,690 ft)
Coordinates 23°05′0″S 28°51′0″E / 23.08333°S 28.85000°ECoordinates: 23°05′0″S 28°51′0″E / 23.08333°S 28.85000°E
Dimensions
Length 36 km (22 mi) E/W
Width 10 km (6.2 mi) N/S
Geography

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Country South Africa
Province Limpopo
Parent range Soutpansberg
Geology
Orogeny Kaapvaal craton
Period Neoarchean to early Paleoproterozoic
Type of rock Bushveld igneous complex, sandstone
The Blouberg is known for the high endemism of its invertebrates. Number 7 is a specimen of Calommata transvaalica spider from the Blouberg

The Blouberg, meaning "Blue Mountain" in Afrikaans, is a range of mountains in Limpopo Province, at the far north of South Africa. It is located in Blouberg Local Municipality, Capricorn District.[1]

The Blouberg has traditionally been an important place for the Tswana people in the area. This rocky mountain range rises over a plateau averaging 900 m to the west of the western end of the Soutpansberg range. The Blouberg is topped by massive rocky outcrops resembling castles or fortifications with sheer walls. Its highest point reaches 2,040 m and is also the highest point of the entire Soutpansberg/Blouberg system.[2] The Brak River (also known as Hout River), a tributary of the Sand River, flows diagonally along the southeastern edge of the Blouberg,[3] separating it from the Soutpansberg further east. Although both ranges are clearly delimited from the geographical point of view, geologically the Blouberg is homonymous with the Soutpansberg.[4]

The Blouberg is part of the 'Vhembe Biosphere Reserve', named a biosphere reserve by UNESCO since 2009.[5] The reserve includes also the neighboring Makgabeng Plateau, the Soutpansberg, the northern part of the Kruger National Park, the Makuleke Wetlands and the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape.[6]

Ecology

The vegetation of the Blouberg ranges from sub-tropical veld or savanna at the base, to a kind of Afro-montane vegetation related to the Cape Fynbos near the summits. The rocky cliffs are a haven for birds of prey such as the Cape vultures.[7]

The Blouberg, like its larger neighbor further east, the Soutpansberg, is known for a high level of endemism of its invertebrate fauna, such as the Swanepoel's widow butterfly that is found on the southern slopes of the range.[8][9] The Waterberg flat lizard and a subspecies of the common flat lizard are found in this range.

Rock climbing

The Blouberg is one of the most spectacular rock climbing areas in South Africa. As a rock climbing destination it is famous for its sheer 350 m "Moonshadow" wall.

Most of the climbing spots are on private land but climbers can make arrangements through the Alldays Mountain Club in nearby Alldays, Limpopo.[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Seraki Blouberg Route - South Africa - Open Africa
  2. ↑ Soutpansberg - Introduction
  3. ↑ About Blouberg
  4. ↑ Ecoport Soutpansberg
  5. ↑ Vhembe Region named UNESCO’s Biosphere Reserve
  6. ↑ UNESCO - Biosphere Reserve Information
  7. ↑ Blouberg Nature Reserve, Limpopo
  8. ↑ Schönhofer, A.L. (2008). "On harvestmen from the Soutpansberg, South Africa, with description of a new species of Monomontia (Arachnida: Opiliones).". African Invertebrates 49 (2): 109–126. doi:10.5733/afin.049.0206.
  9. ↑ Haddad, C.R. (2009). "Vendaphaea, a new dark sac spider genus apparently endemic to the Soutpansberg Mountains, South Africa (Araneae: Corinnidae).". African Invertebrates 50 (2): 269–278. doi:10.5733/afin.050.0204.
  10. ↑ New Blouberg RD by Hector Pringle

External links