| Kamiesberg | |
|---|---|
 Goegap Nature Reserve in the Kamiesberge | |
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Rooiberg Peak |
| Elevation | 1,706 m (5,597 ft) |
| Listing | List of mountain ranges of South Africa |
| Coordinates | 30°05′20″S17°58′45″E / 30.08889°S 17.97917°E /-30.08889; 17.97917 |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 140 km (87 mi) NNW/SSE |
| Width | 40 km (25 mi) ENE/WSW |
| Geography | |
  Kamiesberg Location of the Kamiesberge in the Northern Cape | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Northern Cape |
| Geology | |
| Rock type(s) | granite andgneiss |
TheKamiesberg orKamiesberge (Khoikhoi"Th'amies" ="jumble"), is a mountain range of jumbled graniteinselbergs orbornhardts dotted over sandy plains and centered onKamieskroon inNamaqualand inSouth Africa.[1] This range is very like theMatopos ofZimbabwe in appearance. It stretches for about 140 km (60 mi) fromGaries in the south toSpringbok in the north and forms a plateau between theSandveld of the CapeWest Coast andBushmanland in the east, with theHardveld of the mountainous central Kamiesberg escarpment in the midst.
The region was formerly occupied byKhoikhoi who werenomadicpastoralists.[2]
The buildings of Kamieskroon were moved from a previous location known as Bowesdorp, named after the village doctor. Steep granite hills and a shortage of water hindered development, so that it was relocated. The foundations of the original village may still be seen in a rocky ravine some 8 km north of Kamieskroon.
The Leliefontein mission station, known for theLeliefontein massacre in 1902, is located at an elevation of 1 500 m (5 000 ft) on a plateau near the top of the mountains, which attains a height of over 1 700 m (5 600 ft).
The range has a mild climate made moderate by the coldBenguela Current. It is an outlier of theCape Floristic Region. Its vegetation is largelySucculent Karoo with a large number ofendemic species.Quiver trees andCamelthorn trees are common with large numbers ofEuphorbia shrubs . Also occurring areCeraria namaquensis,Euclea tomentosa,Rhus undulata,Ozoroa dispar andTylecodon paniculatus.
The Kamiesberg is unusual among desert areas in that rainfall is relatively predictable, with frost being rare. Rain is usually accompanied by heavy dewfall and fog.Bergwinds during winter can result in temperatures of 40 °C. After a winter of adequate rainfall, springtime brings widespread and spectacular flowering ofAsteraceae andBrassicaceae species that were dormant,Aizoaceae and numerousScrophulariaceae,Poaceae,Liliaceae andAmaryllidaceae. The region is considered one of 25 global plantbiodiversity hotspots and portions were declared protected in 1999 in order to preserve the abundant wildlife and colourful wild flowers. The Goegab Nature Reserve near Springbok is a good place to appreciate the floral wonders of the mountains.[3][4]