Barberton

Afrikaans name: Barberton

Barberton

Photo © Steven Herbert

Mpumalanga

Barberton is a picturesque and historic town situated next to the Makhonjwa Mountains. It is only a short drive from Nelspruit (Mbombela). The road between the two traverses the Hilltop Pass and offers some good scenery.

Barberton's early history revolves around gold mining. The establishment of a gold mine brought a lot of investment into the area which led to South Africa's first stock exchange being established in the area. Unfortunately the expected wealth did not materialise to any degree and many people moved on. Sheba mine, however, is still in operation and it is estimated that it will be able to keep going for many more years.

The mountains in the Barberton area are believed to be some of the oldest in the world. They are apparently around 3.5 billion years old. Geologists and other scientists spend a lot of time in the area as the rocks give an insight into the origins of life on earth .

The Barberton Daisy was discovered in this area in 1889.

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References and further reading

Things ewe never knewe about South African place names - Author: Ann Gadd - Published: 2015 - Page: 21

The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 125

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 243

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 180

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 262

Mooiloop! The Book - Author: SABC 2 - Published: 2016 - Page: 58

Mountains of Southern Africa - Author: David Bristow - Published: 1985 - Page: 47

On Route - Explore South Africa region by region - 3rd edition - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 2014 - Page: 282

Getaway - Vol 29 No 09 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 50

Country Life - Issue 212 - Author: - Published: 2014 - Page: 62

go! - Issue 151 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 43

Drive Out 4X4 Trail Guide - Author: - Published: 2011 - Page: 56

Country Life - Issue 269 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 46

Book of the Road - 4th edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2019 - Page: 107

Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 295

Barberton Tourism

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