Vanrhynsdorp

Vanrhynsdorp
Dutch Reformed Church in Vanrhynsdorp
Vanrhynsdorp Vanrhynsdorp Vanrhynsdorp  Vanrhynsdorp shown within Western Cape
Coordinates: 31°37′S 18°44′E / 31.617°S 18.733°ECoordinates: 31°37′S 18°44′E / 31.617°S 18.733°E
Country	South Africa
Province	Western Cape
District	West Coast
Municipality	Matzikama
Established	1751
Area[1]
• Total	5.99 km^2 (2.31 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
• Total	6,272
• Density	1,000/km^2 (2,700/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[1]
• Black African	6.9%
• Coloured	71.9%
• Indian/Asian	0.4%
• White	19.7%
• Other	1.0%
First languages (2011)[1]
• Afrikaans	95.3%
• English	1.6%
• Xhosa	1.2%
• Other	1.8%
Postal code (street)	8170
PO box	8170
Area code	027

Vanrhynsdorp is a settlement in West Coast District Municipality in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

Vanrhynsdorp was founded as Trutro ("TroeTroe") after the area was first explored by Europeans in 1661 by Pieter van Meerhoff.^[2] The Troe-Troe Zending ("Mission") dates to the 1751 completion of the Trutro Homestead which is still standing at Vanrhynsdorp.^[2] The name of the town was changed to Vanrhynsdorp in 1881.^[2]

The town is located at the edge of the Nama Karoo, an area of semi-desert succulent vegetation.^[3] The mountains around the town were populated by the San people, a group of late stone age hunter-gatherers. Examples of rock art exist dating from this period exist in the area.^[2]

The Steenkampskraal rare earth mineral deposit lies 80km to the north east of the town in nearby Namaqualand.^[4]

References

1. "Main Place Vanrhynsdorp". Census 2011.
2. Vanrhynsdorp, SA Places. Retrieved 2012-05-06.
3. Vanrhynsdorp, Cape West Coast, SA venues. Retrieved 2012-05-06.
4. "'Steenkampskraal deposit". Retrieved 21 January 2011.