Vaalwater

Vaalwater
Mabatlane (proposed)

R517 in Vaalwater
Vaalwater
Vaalwater
Vaalwater

 Vaalwater shown within Limpopo

Coordinates: 24°17′S 28°6′E / 24.283°S 28.100°E / -24.283; 28.100Coordinates: 24°17′S 28°6′E / 24.283°S 28.100°E / -24.283; 28.100
Country South Africa
Province Limpopo
District Waterberg
Municipality Modimolle
Area[1]
 • Total 10.51 km2 (4.06 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 3,964
 • Density 380/km2 (980/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[1]
 • Black African 87.4%
 • Coloured 0.1%
 • Indian/Asian 0.3%
 • White 11.8%
 • Other 0.5%
First languages (2011)[1]
 • Northern Sotho 64.3%
 • Afrikaans 11.3%
 • Tsonga 7.9%
 • Tswana 6.7%
 • Other 9.7%
PO box 8240
Area code 014

Vaalwater is a small town situated on the Mokolo River in the Limpopo province of South Africa.

Geography

Location

The town, unlike other towns in the Limpopo province, is not located on a national road, of which the nearest one is at Nylstroom/Modimolle. It does however lie halfway on a road stretching from Nylstroom/Modimolle to Ellisras/Lephalale. Nearby towns also include Hermanusdorings, Melkrivier, Palala and Naboomspruit.

Geography

Sandrivier range of the central Waterberg, 15 km south of Vaalwater

It lies at the southern edge of the rugged Waterberg Massif, which is a biosphere that contains considerable biodiversity, including numerous large mammals (e.g. Giraffe, White Rhino, Blue Wildebeest). Waterberg is the first region in the northern part of South Africa to be named as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. The extensive rock formation was shaped by hundreds of millions of years of riverine erosion to yield diverse bluff and butte landform.[2]

Economy

Tourism

Vaalwater is a popular jumping-off point for travels to the Waterberg Massif and Botswana and is itself becoming a minor destination for tourism. There are a variety of craft, art, and gift shops, as well as cafes and restaurants.

Services

Vaalwater has a number of commercial services not common for kilometres around, especially on roads leading to Botswana. These include banking, groceries, petrol and diesel, a post office, and doctors.

Name

In 2006, Vaalwater was officially renamed Mabatlane, but reverted to Vaalwater in 2007 after it became evident that the proper renaming procedures had not been followed.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Main Place Vaalwater". Census 2011.
  2. ↑ C.Michael Hogan, Mark L. Cooke and Helen Murray, The Waterberg Biosphere, Lumina Technologies, May 22, 2006.
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