The historical Karoo

The Historical Karoo is a must read, and entertainingly introduces to past times in South Africa's arid interior.
Schoeman, Chris
23009
978-1-77022-568-8
In stock
new
€22.80 *
Add to Wishlist

Title: The Historical Karoo
Subtitle: Traces of the Past in South Africa's Arid Interior
Author: Chris Schoeman
Imprint: Zebra Press
Publisher: Randomhouse Struik
Cape Town, South Africa 2013
ISBN 9781770225688 / ISBN 978-1-77022-568-8
Hardcover, dustjacket, 18 x 24 cm, 224 pages, numerous b/w and colour photographs

Description:

For many travellers driving along the N1 national road at high speed today, the Karoo represents nothing more than a monotonous, hot and arid landscape to be brought behind them as quickly as possible. But this vast, open region has a rich history that has to be discovered. The Historical Karoo points out all the many places, buildings, objects and associated personalities of historical interest in this magnificent region. This guide to regional history starts with a chapter on the early history of the region, when the first trekboers and hunters encountered the Khoikhoi and San, who for close on a century were hunted and harried. It deals with the early European travellers to the Karoo, including the Swedish botanist Carl Peter Thunberg, who made three journeys into the interior between 1772 and 1774, and British naturalist William Burchell. Part 1 highlights the historical towns, sites, buildings and figures associated with the area along the N1 national highway from Touws River, on the south-western edge to the Great Karoo, to Norvalspont, on the southern bank of the Orange River, and ventures off along some side roads running east and west. Part 2 explores the area east of the N1 from Prince Albert, nestled beside the Swartberg, to one of the oldest towns in South Africa, Somerset East. The focus of Part 3 is west of the N1 from Merweville to Philipstown, as we discover traces of the past in South Africa's arid interior.

Content: The historical Karoo

Introduction
Early history
Part l: Along the N1
Touws River
Monument Cemetery
Matjiesfontein
Laingsburg
Prince Albert Road
Leeu-Gamka
Beaufort West
Nelspoort
Three Sisters
Richmond
Hanover
Colesberg
Norval's Pont
Part 2: East of the N1
Prince Albert
Gamkaskloof (Die Hel)
Klaarstroom
Aberdeen
Willowmore
Steyderville
Jansenville
Murraysburg
Graaff-Reinet
Nieu Bethesda
Pearston
Cradock
Middelburg
Noupoort
Cookhouse
Somerset East
Part 3: West of the N1
Calvinia
Loeriesfontein
Sutherland
Middelpos
Williston
Fraserburg
Merweville
Loxton
Wagenaarskraal
Carnarvon
Victoria West
Vosburg
Deelfontein
De Aar
Britstown
Philipstown
Hopetown
Notes
Bibliography
Picture sources
Index

Recommendations for The historical Karoo