Alexander Bay, Northern Cape

Alexander Bay Alexanderbaai
Alexander Bay  Alexander Bay shown within Northern Cape
Coordinates: 28°35′S 16°29′E / 28.583°S 16.483°E / -28.583; 16.483Coordinates: 28°35′S 16°29′E / 28.583°S 16.483°E / -28.583; 16.483
Country	South Africa
Province	Northern Cape
District	Namakwa
Municipality	Richtersveld
Established	1836
Area[1]
• Total	9.25 km2 (3.57 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
• Total	1,736
• Density	190/km2 (490/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[1]
• Black African	9.7%
• Coloured	74.7%
• Indian/Asian	0.1%
• White	15.2%
• Other	0.2%
First languages (2011)[1]
• Afrikaans	92.7%
• Xhosa	2.6%
• English	1.5%
• Other	3.2%
Postal code (street)	8290
PO box	8290
Area code	027

Alexander Bay (Afrikaans: Alexanderbaai) is a town in the extreme north-west of South Africa, also known as the region of Little Namaqualand. It is located on the southern bank of the Orange River mouth. It was named for Sir James Alexander, who was the first person to map the area whilst on a Royal Geographical Society expedition into Namibia in 1836. (It is mistakenly believed by many locals that it was he who first established commercial copper mining in the area.) With diamonds being discovered along the West Coast in 1925, Alexander Bay was established to service the mining industry.

The town of Oranjemund lies on the northern bank of the river, which forms the international border with Namibia. The two towns are linked by the Harry Oppenheimer Bridge.

The town is served by an airport known as the Alexander Bay Airport.^[2]

History

After diamonds were discovered along this coast in 1925 by Dr Hans Merensky, Alexander Bay became known for its mining activities. The resulting diamond rush led to the Diamond Coast rebellion of 1928. Copper ore were shipped through the Richtersveld in barges down the Orange River for export from this bay. The town was a high security area and permits were needed when entered. It is no longer a high security area and no permits are needed.

Geography and climate

Alexander Bay is the most northerly situated town along the west coastline of South Africa. The Orange River enters the Atlantic Ocean at Alexander Bay. The Orange River wetland forms the border between South Africa and Namibia. The Orange River wetland is a declared RAMSAR site. Fields of green and orange lichen grow on a hill near the turnoff to Alexander Bay town.

It is 150 miles (240 km) north-west of Springbok, the administrative centre of Namaqualand. Being near the southern end of the Namib desert, it is officially also the driest town in South Africa with an average annual rainfall of less than 2 inches (50 mm). The cold Benguela Current in the Atlantic Ocean has a moderating influence on the coastal climate with only small variations in diurnal and seasonal temperatures.

References

1. 1 2 3 4 "Main Place Alexander Bay". Census 2011. 
2. ↑ Airport information for Alexander Bay Airport (FAAB). DAFIF. October 2006.
3. ↑ "Alexander Bay Climate Normals 1961−1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 29, 2013. 

Municipalities and communities of Namakwa District Municipality, Northern Cape District seat: Springbok Hantam Brandvlei Calvinia Loeriesfontein Nieuwoudtville Kamiesberg Garies Hondeklip Bay Kamieskroon Karkams Koingnaas Leliefontein Soebatsfontein Spoegrivier Karoo Hoogland Fraserburg Sutherland Williston Khâi-Ma Aggeneys Onseepkans Pella Pofadder Nama Khoi Buffelsrivier Concordia Goodhouse Grootmis Henkries Kleinzee Komaggas Nababeep Okiep Springbok Steinkopf Vioolsdrif Richtersveld Alexander Bay Eksteenfontein Kuboes Lekkersing Port Nolloth Sanddrif