Sutherland - South Africa
Sutherland, Karoo, Northern Cape, South Africa
Sutherland .... Gateway to the Universe!
Sutherland ...... Sterredorp!
This little town is situated in the Northern Cape in the Karoo region of South Africa.
It is known for the South African Astronomical Observatory, situated 18 km outside the town.
Astrononomy has play an important role in human lives since the dawn of civilisation. Modern astronomy began in South Africa when seafarers and explorers came to need astronomy for mapmaking and navigation.
There are only a handful of regions in the world with really good sites for observations. At an altitude of 1459 meters, clear, dark skies, far from city lights and polluted air and because the clear weather is evenly spread througout the year, Sutherland was the perfect spot for the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO).
SALT or The Southern African Large Telescope is the largest telescope in the Southern Hemisphere. With a hexagonal mirror array 11m across, SALT is one of the leading instruments of its kind.
Tours to the Observatory are from Mondays to Saturdays at 11:30 and 14:30. (No tours on Tuesdays at 14:30) Bookings are essential. Phone the Observatory at tel: 023 5711205
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SUTHERLAND offers the tourist a lot more to do:
It is the birthplace of the well-known Afrikaans writers and poets, N.P van Wyk Louw and his brother, W.E.G. Louw. A museum with some of their belongings and books are kept in the museum.
The Dutch Reformed Church. During the Anglo Boer War the church was invaded for 8 months by British troops. Graffitti, some still visisble, adorned the doors and walls of the church.
0ld Jewish and English cemetries
Fauna and Flora like the Riverine rabbit, sterboom, rye grass and Elephants feet.
Snow and freezing temperatures.
Ouberg Pass. 45 km out of town to the Ceres-Karoo.
Verlatenkloof Pass - for 15 km you have to climb nearly a 1000 metres!
Tulips
Fransplaas Sheep Cheese.
Salpeterkop - The last active volcano south of the equator. It was active 66 million years ago.
A gravel Gholf course. (Play for only R20-R40)]
For info and Accommodation contact:
Ester Jordaan
Tel: 023 5711257 (9-5)
023 5711232 (after hours)
Cell; 082 579 6238
SALT
Sutherland was founded in 1855. The town developed around the Dutch Reformed church. The stone church was completed at the outbreak of the Anglo Boer War. It was occupied by British soldiers who used it to house the soldiers and their horses.
Sutherland is in die hartjie van die Roggeveld gelee Temperature daal soms tot -16grade Celius gedurende die wintermaande.
Sutherland le op 'n hoogte van 1 440m in 'n vlak vallei bo-op en naby die suidwestelike rand van die binnelandse hoofplato van Suid-Afrika. Die gebied is dus blootgestel aan die koue, droe lugstrome wat die land op daardie hoogte vanuit die suidweste binnedring. As gevolg van die geringe voginhoud en die dun lug op daardie hoogte word die hitte-uitstraling van die aardbodem snags sterk bevorder. Die lug in kontak met die grond koel dus geweldig sterk af.. Verder vloei swaar koue lug, nadat die wind gaan het, langs die hellings af na die laer valleie, soos die een waarin Sutherland gelee is.
Unieke Karooplategroei kenmerk die omgewing:
Secale Africanum Stapf - waarskynlik die enigste wilde roggras in SA
Sterboom (clifortia Aborea) wat slegs in die omgewing aangetref word.
Olifantsvoete, waarvan sommige meer as 'n eeu oud is.
Daubenia Auria, 'n skaars blomsoort wat in kolonies in die Roggeveld groei.
