The Bushveld is a geographic region of South Africa that encompasses most of Limpopo Province and part of the North West Province.
Geography and Climate
The Bushveld varies from 750 to 1 400 m above sea level. The Bushveld experiences very hot temperatures, and high humidity. The annual rainfall in the Bushveld ranges from 350 mm in the west to 600 mm in parts of the northeast.
Three significant mountain ranges occur in the Bushveld region. The Drakensberg escarpment forms the eastern border of the Bushveld and runs from Tzaneen in the north to Belfast in the south. The Waterberg Mountain Range stretches from Mokopane in the east to Thabazimbi in the west. The Soutpansberg Mountain Range is located just north of Makhado in the Limpopo Province, and is the northernmost mountain range in South Africa.
Flora and Fauna
As implied by the name "Bushveld", the area is recognized for the characteristic plains covered in grass and dense clusters of trees and tall shrubs. The Bushveld grasses are generally tall and turn yellow or brown in winter.
The Bushveld is also known for its wildlife, and many game-farms and nature reserves can be found in this area. The dense bush provides an ideal habitat for a variety of animals that are indigenous to South Africa.
Bushveld Geology
The Bushveld is one of the regions in the world richest in mineral deposits due to the Bushveld igneous complex, an extremely rich saucer-shaped geological formation that stretches over more than 50,000 square kilometers. The Bushveld igneous complex formation accumulated large quantities of the world's reserves of minerals, such as andalusite, chromium, fluorspar, platinum and vanadium. The Bushveld igneous complex includes theHans Merensky reef, which is the world's largest source of platinum and platinum-group metals.
Bushveld Farming
The Bushveld region is mostly used for cattle and game farming, while only a few drought-resistant agricultural crops, such as sorghum and millet are being successfully farmed, usually under irrigation.
Bushveld Towns And Cities
Towns and cities in the Bushveld region include:
- Bela Bela (formerly Warmbaths)
- Brits
- De Wildt
- Haenertsburg
- Hammanskraal
- Lephalale (formerly Ellisras)
- Makhado (formerly Louis Trichardt)
- Mara
- Modimolle (formerly Nylstroom)
- Mokopane (formerly Potgietersrus)
- Mookgophong (formerly Naboomspruit)
- Musina (formerly Messina)
- Northam
- Pienaarsrivier
- Polokwane (formerly Pietersburg)
- Roedtan
- Sun City
- Thabazimbi
- Vaalwater
- Vivo
- Zion City Moria
