Namaqualand

Namaqualand, which is regarded as a hot spot of biodiversity forms a definite portion of the Succulent Karoo. It can be said to be the only arid hot spot in the whole world, which holds the credit of having the richest flora on the Earth.

Namaqualand covers an area of 1,70,000 square miles, which is divided by the lower course of Orange River into two main portions – the Great Namaqualand in the north and the Little Namaqualand in the south. It is exactly from the west coast of Atlantic Ocean that the Namaqualand is extended to the town of Pofadder in the east, Orange River in the north, Garies in the south, including Hantam Karoo, along the Northern Cape’s southern border. The indigenous and local people of Namaqualand are the Bushmen, who included the earlier nomadic gatherers and hunters. The highest percentage of Afrikaans speakers in the world can be bestowed to this region, with almost 95% of the total population, speaking Afrikaans language.

Namaqualand is very much popular with the visitors and tourists, both local and international, swarming the region during the early springtime, when although for a short period of time, this arid region is covered by a blanket of colorful flowers in the blooming season, which is truly a visual treat. Throughout South Africa, this period is known as Namaqualand Daisy season, as white and orange daisies, along with a hundred variety of flowering species sprout up from a landscape that was previously barren.

A portion of Little Namaqualand is a National Park and a World Heritage Site, which gives homage to a splendid variety of animals and bird species, giving special protection to the rare and highly endangered animals like the bat-eared fox.  So, it can be well said that though the land here is dry and arid, it is the pretty and smiling daisies that have brought Namaqualand to the limelight.