Context:
Scientists recently discovered the world’s oldest inhabited termite mounds along the Buffels River in Namaqualand, dating back 34,000 years.
Relevance:
GS III: Species in News
Overview of Namaqualand:
Geography and Location:
- Namaqualand is a desert region situated in southwestern Africa.
- It extends from the Karas region of Namibia in the north to the Northern Cape province of South Africa in the south.
- Spanning from the Namib Desert in the west to the Kalahari in the east, it covers an area of approximately 400,000 square kilometers.
Subdivisions:
- The Namibian section, located north of the Orange River, is often referred to as Great Namaqualand.
- The South African section, south of the Orange River, is known as Little Namaqualand.
Climate and Vegetation:
- Namaqualand is characterized by its arid climate, with succulents being the predominant vegetation for much of the year due to their ability to store water and endure drought conditions.
- Most of the region’s rainfall occurs in the winter. When sufficient rain falls, the area bursts into bloom with wildflowers for a brief period in the spring.
Cultural and Historical Significance:
- Traditionally, the Nama people inhabited this region before it came under German occupation in the 19th century.
- The region is rich in copper deposits, which the Nama people mined for hundreds of years.
Economic Aspects:
- In the early 1900s, diamonds were discovered in various parts of Namaqualand, including the Sperrgebiet in Namibia and the Richtersveld in South Africa.
-Source: The Hindu
