Kimberley

Afrikaans name: Kimberley

The Big Hole, Kimberley

Photo © lienkie - Fotolia.com

Northern Cape

Kimberley is the capital of South Africa's Northern Cape province. It's history is closely aligned to the early diamond history in South Africa.

The 'Big Hole', a well-known landmark of Kimberley, actually started as a small hill. It is the result of miners mining the area inbetween 1877 and 1914. The Kimberley Big Hole covers an area of 42 acres and is 240 metres deep. Three tons of diamonds were mined. There is a recreation of the original town next door to the museum.

The city of Kimberley was founded in 1912 when the Boroughs of Kimberley and Beaconsfield were combined.

Today Kimberley still serves as the centre for mining and agriculture in the surrounding region. It is also a popular tourist destination.

Would you recommend a visit to Kimberley?

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Photo © Johan van Zyl

References and further reading

The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 54

Southern African Birdfinder - Author: Cohen, Spottiswoode and Rossouw - Published: 2006 - Page: 92

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 118

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 173

Places to Visit in Southern Africa - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1995 - Page: 333

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 318

On Route - Explore South Africa region by region - 3rd edition - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 2014 - Page: 144

Hit the Road - 2nd Edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2018 - Page: 202

Guide to Sieges of South Africa - Author: Nicki von der Heyde - Published: 2017 - Page: 134

go! - Issue 085 (missing) - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 56

Getaway - Vol 33 No 02 - Author: - Published: 2021 - Page: 96

Getaway - Vol 35 No 07 - Author: - Published: 2024 - Page: 14

Getaway - Vol 32 No 03 - Author: - Published: 2020 - Page: 100

Essential Birding: Western South Africa - Author: Callan Cohen and Claire Spottiswoode - Published: 2000 - Page: 113

Country Life - Issue 282 - Author: - Published: 2020 - Page: 72

Country Life - Issue 187 - Author: - Published: 2012 - Page: 27

Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 339

Country Life - Issue 166 - Author: - Published: 2010 - Page: 27

Book of the Road - 4th edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2019 - Page: 125

Britannica

---

Top