Boland, Western Cape

The Boland (Afrikaans for "top country" or "land above"[1]) is a region of the Western Cape province of South Africa, situated to the northeast of Cape Town in the middle and upper courses of the Berg and Breede Rivers, around the Boland Mountains of the central Cape Fold Belt. It is sometimes also referred to as the Cape Winelands because it is the primary region for the making of Western Cape wine.

"Cape Winelands" redirects here. For the municipality, see Cape Winelands District Municipality. For the wine region, see Western Cape wine. For Biosphere Reserve, see Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve.

Western Cape topology showing the Boland Mountains.

Geography

Although the Boland does not have defined boundaries, its core lies around the Boland Mountains and the towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Worcester. It may be understood to extend as far as Malmesbury, Tulbagh, Swellendam and Somerset West. This is approximately the area included in the Cape Winelands District Municipality, which was formerly called the Boland District Municipality. To the southwest lies the Cape Town metropolitan area, to the northwest the Swartland and West Coast, to the northeast the Great Karoo, to the east the Little Karoo, and to the south the Overberg.

The catchment area of the Boland Mountains feeds the Berg, Breede and Riviersonderend rivers, and provides almost the entire water source for Cape Town.[2]

The "Boland" name is given to a number of sports teams from the region, including the Boland cricket team and the Boland Cavaliers rugby union team.

References
  1. Raper, P. E. (1987). "Boland" (PDF). Dictionary of Southern African Place Names. Johannesburg: Lowry. p. 86. ISBN 978-0-947042-06-6. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 February 2018. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  2. "Boland Mountains". Cape Town, South Africa: Centre for Environmental Rights. Archived from the original on 12 October 2018.
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