Victoria West

Afrikaans name: Victoria-wes

Victoria West

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Northern Cape

In 1843 the Dutch Reformed Church selected the site of the current day Victoria West for a new parish. The village was initially named Victoria, in honour of Queen Victoria, but changed the name to Victoria West in 1855. This was to prevent confusion with another town called Victoria in the Eastern Cape.

The newly created town was hit by a disaster in 1871 when the Brak River suddenly flooded and killed 60 residents. In 1872 a breakwater was built to help prevent catastophic flooding.

Agriculture is the main economic activity in the area but there is also a growing interest from tourists. There are game lodges nearby, good biding opportunities, historical buildings and more.

Been to Victoria West? What is there to do there?

A one-stop shop in Victoria West

Photo © Johan van Zyl

References and further reading

The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 50

Road Tripping South Africa - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2014 - Page: 18

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 156

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 89

On Route - Explore South Africa region by region - 3rd edition - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 2014 - Page: 153

Getaway - Vol 29 No 01 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 66

go! - Issue 124 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 114

Conollys Guide to Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Denis Conolly - Published: 1982 - Page: 122

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 308

Karoo South Africa - Victoria West

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