Dwarskersbos
Dwarskersbos | |
|---|---|
 Beach house in Dwarskersbos | |
  Dwarskersbos  Dwarskersbos | |
| Coordinates: 32°42′S 18°14′E / 32.700°S 18.233°E | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Western Cape |
| District | West Coast |
| Municipality | Bergrivier |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.53 km2 (0.59 sq mi) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
| • Total | 670 |
| • Density | 440/km2 (1,100/sq mi) |
| Racial makeup (2011) | |
| • Black African | 29.9% |
| • Coloured | 9.7% |
| • Indian/Asian | 2.7% |
| • White | 57.5% |
| • Other | 0.1% |
| First languages (2011) | |
| • Afrikaans | 94.5% |
| • English | 4.5% |
| • Other | 1.0% |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| Area code | 022 |
| Website | www.dwarskersbos.com |
Dwarskersbos is a fishing village and vacation resort some 11 kilometres (6.8 miles) north of Laaiplek in West Coast District Municipality in the Western Cape province of South Africa.
Etymology
[edit]The name is said to be derived from the name of the plant Euclea polyandra of the genus Euclea(Afrikaans: dwarskers or kersbos) which grows abundantly in the region.
History
[edit]The Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama first set foot on South African soil on 7 November 1497 near here when he explored the present St Helena Bay.
The town was established on the farm “Dwarskersbos” that belonged to the Smit family[2] in 1920.
A 6m high storm surge struck Dwarskersbos on 27 August 1969.
Geography
[edit]Its beach stretches from Velddrif and Dwarskerbos almost 40 kilometres north towards Elands Bay,[3] making it the longest uninterrupted sandy beach in South Africa. [4]
Notable people
[edit]- Hannah Botha (1923-2007), an TV and film actress
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Main Place Dwarskersbos". Census 2011.
- ^ "Dwarskersbos: Tranquil Village".
- ^ "Dwarskersbos: Tranquil Village".
- ^ "Dictionary of Southern African Place Names (Public Domain)". Human Science Research Council. p. 148.
Municipalities and communities of West Coast District Municipality, Western Cape | ||
|---|---|---|
District seat: Moorreesburg | ||
| Matzikama | .svg) | |
| Cederberg | ||
| Bergrivier | ||
| Saldanha Bay | ||
| Swartland | ||