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Encyclopedia > Polokwane

Polokwane (formally Pietersburg) is a city, municipality and the capital of the Limpopo province in South Africa. For other uses, see City (disambiguation). ... A municipality is an administrative entity composed of a clearly defined territory and its population and commonly referring to a city, town, or village, or a small grouping of them. ...

Contents

History

In the 1840s, Voortrekkers under the leadership of Andries Potgieter established Zoutpansbergdorp, a town 100 km to the north west. This settlement had to be abandoned because of clashes with the local tribes. They founded a new town in 1886 and named it Pietersburg in honour of Voortrekker leader Petrus Jacobus Joubert. The British built a concentration camp here during the Boer War to house almost 4,000 Boer women and children. The town became a city on 23 April 1992 and on the 11 June 2003 the government of Limpopo changed its name to Polokwane. The town earned city status on 23 April 1992 and is now the major centre and capital city of the province, indeed for the country's entire area north of Gauteng. More recently Pietersburg held the ANC national conference, which saw Jacob Zuma take over as head of the party.[1] The Voortrekker Monument built in 1949. ... Andries Hendrik Potgieter (1792 - 1852) was a South African Boer political figure. ... Year 1886 (MDCCCLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Petrus Jacobus Joubert Petrus Jacobus Joubert (January 20, 1834 - March 28, 1900), commandant-general of the South African Republic from 1880 to 1900, was born at Cango, in the district of Oudtshoorn, Cape Colony, a descendant of a French Huguenot who fled to South Africa soon after the revocation of... It has been suggested that Internment be merged into this article or section. ... Combatants British Empire Orange Free State South African Republic Commanders Sir Redvers Buller Lord Kitchener Lord Roberts Paul Kruger Louis Botha Koos de la Rey Martinus Steyn Christiaan de Wet Casualties 6,000 - 7,000 (A further ~14,000 from disease) 6,000 - 8,000 (Unknown number from disease) Civilians... This article is about the Boer people (Boerevolk). ... is the 113th day of the year (114th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 162nd day of the year (163rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma (born Inkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, April 12, 1942) is deputy president of the governing political party, the African National Congress (ANC), and a former Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa. ...


Demography

According to the 2001 census conducted by Statistics South Africa, the population of the greater Pietersburg municipality, is 302,957, of which 91.2% are black, 7.2% white, 0.9% Coloured and 0.7% Asian. The white population is likely to have been undercounted, a common problem with the 2001 census.


Climate

Despite its position on the tropic of Capricorn, the climate is tempered by its position on a plateau 1230 meters above sea level. Average temperatures reach around 21-22°C in in January and fall to 11°C in July. As with much of inland South Africa, Pietersburg has experienced notably warmer seasons over the last decade than its long term average.[2] Pietersburg has a dry climate with a summer rainy season and a pronounced dry spell during winter. Average annual rainfall is 495mm, with December, or less often January the wettest month and July is the driest month.[3]


Polokwane Municipality

The Polokwane Municipality's area accounts for 3% of Limpopo province's total surface area and about 10% of the Limpopo's population resides in the Municipal area. Given the fact that Pietersburg serves as the Limpopo's economic hub, it has the highest population density in the Capricorn district. The majority of Polokwane's population is rural. This simply shows that the largest sector of the community within the municipal resides in rural tribal villages followed by urban settlements.


Tourism

This area is seen as a place of "myths and legends". There are many game viewing opportunities, making Polokwane a popular ecotourism destination in Southern Africa. Limpopo is divided into four tourism regions, each representing a microcosm of the area's varied and interesting cultures. Tapanti National Park in Costa Rica Ecotourism, also known as ecological tourism, is a form of tourism that appeals to the ecologically and socially conscious individuals. ... Tourist redirects here. ...


TOURIST ATTRACTIONS


Hunting Pietersburg is considered the premier hunting destination in South Africa.


Eersteling Monuments The site of the country's first gold crushing site and its first gold power plant are marked by monuments.


Open-Air Museum This museum depicts the traditional and modern-day culture and lifestyle of the Bakone people


Other attractions include:

  • The Bakone Malapa Northern Sotho Open-Air Museum, which depicts the traditional and modern-day lifestyle of this people.
  • The Pietersburg Game Reserve, which has more than 21 species and offers scenic walks.
  • The Savannah Centre, a modern shopping centre.

Peter Mokaba Stadium will be used for matches for the 2010 World Cup The Sotho people (native name Basotho) have lived in southern Africa since around the fifteenth century. ... For other uses, see Museum (disambiguation). ... The Peter Mokaba Stadium is a football (soccer) stadium in Polokwane, South Africa, that will be used for the Football World Cup 2010. ... The 2010 Football World Cup will take place in South Africa. ...


References

  1. ^ http://www.economist.com/world/africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10328276
  2. ^ Average monthly and annual temperatures, Pietersburg 1932 - 2007, GISS
  3. ^ GHCN monthly rainfall Pietersburg , NGDC, 1932-1992

External links

v • d • e
Provincial capitals of South Africa
Western Cape · Northern Cape · Eastern Cape · KwaZulu-Natal · Free State · North West · Gauteng · Mpumalanga · Limpopo Western Cape Coat of Arms
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50 largest cities in South Africa by population

Johannesburg · Durban · Cape Town · East Rand · Pretoria · Port Elizabeth · East London · Vereeniging · Bloemfontein · Thohoyandou · Pietermaritzburg · Polokwane · Bushbuckridge · Louis Trichardt · Nelspruit · Mthatha · Welkom · Rustenburg · Mount Ayliff · Greater Tzaneen · Qwa-Qwa · Klerksdorp · Brits · Nkomazi · Newcastle · Mokopane · Krugersdorp · Richards Bay · Gcuwa · Libode · Witbank · Burgersfort · Ngwaritsi · Mafikeng · KwaMhlanga · Flagstaff · Idutywa · Bizana · Mdutjana · Greater Giyani · Mogwase · Lebowakgomop · Ladysmith · Highveld Ridge · Eshowe · Groblersdal · Duiwelskloof · Port Shepstone · Ulundi · Carletonville A map of the nine provinces of South Africa South Africa is currently divided into nine provinces. ... The following is a list of the capitals of the provinces of South Africa. ... Nickname: Motto: Spes Bona (Latin for Good Hope) Location of the City of Cape Town in Western Cape Province Coordinates: , Country Province Municipality City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality Founded 1652 Government [1]  - Type City council  - Mayor Helen Zille  - City manager Achmat Ebrahim Area  - Total 2,499 km² (964. ... Kimberley is a town in South Africa, and the capital of the Northern Cape. ... Bisho is a town in South Africa, and the capital of the Eastern Cape Province. ... Pietermaritzburg is the capital and second largest city of the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. ... Bloemfontein (pronounced , Afrikaans and Dutch for spring of Bloem (bloom), flower spring or fountain of flowers is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article is about the city in South Africa. ... Panoramic view from the hilltops Nelspruit is a city of 221,474 people (2000) situated in northeastern South Africa. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_South_Africa. ... The below table is a list of all cities (or municipalities) in South Africa with a population larger than 100,000. ... This article is about the city in South Africa. ... For other uses, see Durban (disambiguation). ... Nickname: Motto: Spes Bona (Latin for Good Hope) Location of the City of Cape Town in Western Cape Province Coordinates: , Country Province Municipality City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality Founded 1652 Government [1]  - Type City council  - Mayor Helen Zille  - City manager Achmat Ebrahim Area  - Total 2,499 km² (964. ... A map of Gauteng, showing the East Rand. ... Motto: Praestantia Praevaleat Pretoria (May Pretoria Be Pre-eminent In Excellence) Country South Africa Province Gauteng Established 1855 Area  - City 1,644 km²  (634. ... Nickname: The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (blue) within the Eastern Cape (dark grey) within South Africa Coordinates: , Country Province Municipality Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Founded 1820 Incorporated (Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality) 2001 Government  - Executive Mayor Nondumiso Maphazi  - Municipal Manager Graham Richards Area  - City 1,845 km²  (712. ... East London (Afrikaans: Oos-Londen, Xhosa: Imonti) is a city in southeast South Africa, situated in the Eastern Cape Province at 32. ... Vereeniging is a city in Gauteng province, South Africa, with a population of more than 350,000. ... Bloemfontein (pronounced , Afrikaans and Dutch for spring of Bloem (bloom), flower spring or fountain of flowers is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa. ... Thohoyandou (meaning elephant head) is the administrative and legislative centre for this Venda region in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. ... Pietermaritzburg is the capital and second largest city of the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. ... Aerial view of Louis Trichardt Louis Trichardt (for a short period known as Makhado) is a town situated at the foot of the Soutpansberg mountain range in the Limpopo province of South Africa. ... Panoramic view from the hilltops Nelspruit is a city of 221,474 people (2000) situated in northeastern South Africa. ... Mthatha (formerly Umtata) is the main town of the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality in Eastern Cape province of South Africa. ... Welkom is a city in the Lejweleputswa District Municipality of the Free State Province in South Africa, with a population in 2001 of 191,336. ... Rustenburg (Afrikaans: Place of Rest) is a large town situated in at the foot of the Magaliesberg mountain range in North West Province of South Africa. ... Tzaneen is a large town situated in the Mopani district of the Limpopo province in South Africa. ... Klerksdorp is a city and administrative district located in the North West Province (formerly Western Transvaal), South Africa. ... Brits is a large town and district situated in a fertile, citrus-producing area that is irrigated by the waters of the Hartbeespoort Dam in North West Province of South Africa. ... Newcastle is a town in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. ... Mokopane (previously called Potgietersrus) is a town in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. ... Krugersdorp is a mining city in the West Rand of Gauteng, South Africa. ... Richards Bay is South Africas largest harbour. ... Gcuwa, also known by its former name Butterworth[1] is a large town which ranks 29th on the list of towns with a population of 287,780 and is situated 111km north of East London on the N2 national highway in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. ... Witbank is situated on the highveld of Mpumalanga, South Africa. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... KwaMhlanga is a town in Mpumalanga, South Africa and is the spiritual home of the amaNdebele tribe that settled here in the early 1700s. ... Ladysmith (2001: pop. ... Eshowe, Uthungulu District, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, ( ) is the oldest town of European settlement in Zululand. ... Groblersdal is a farming town situated 32 km North of the 178 million m3 Loskop Dam in Mpumalanga. ... Port Shepstone is situated on the mouth of the largest river on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, the Mzimkulu River (the great home of all rivers). ... Ulundi was at one time the capital of Zululand in South Africa, and later the capital of the Bantustan of KwaZulu. ... Carletonville is a gold-mining town in western Gauteng, South Africa. ...

Coordinates: 23°53′59″S, 29°26′59″E Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...


  Results from FactBites:
 
Welcome to Golimpopo.com (1411 words)
Polokwane soon became an important staging point for destinations to the north, and when gold was discovered at Eersteling in 1871, the economy of the town flourished.
Polokwane was the first city to unveil a bust of ex-President Nelson Mandela that was officially authorised by him.
Polokwane, today encompassing the vibrant community of Seshego-Lebowakgomo and the other surrounding villages, boasts excellent accommodation, an airport with international status (including immigration and customs facilities) and a busy friendly population.
Polokwane Property Limpopo Real Estate - Pietersburg (376 words)
Polokwane is the capital of the Limpopo Province and is only an hour and a half's drive from the Kruger National Park.
Polokwane is a bustling and forward-thinking centre which derives much of its income from its growing industrial base, it's provincial administrative services, and its strategic position astride one of the country's busiest tourist and trade routes.
Polokwane began life, in a sense, as the troubled little Voortrekker settlement of Schoemansdal in the 1840s, a rather rugged, frontier-type camp for hunters and ivory traders that was attacked and destroyed by the Venda forces of the region.
  More results at FactBites »

 

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