Montagu, Western Cape

Montagu

Street in Montagu
Montagu
Montagu
Montagu

 Montagu shown within Western Cape

Coordinates: 33°47′S 20°7′E / 33.783°S 20.117°E / -33.783; 20.117Coordinates: 33°47′S 20°7′E / 33.783°S 20.117°E / -33.783; 20.117
Country South Africa
Province Western Cape
District Cape Winelands
Municipality Langeberg
Established 1856[1]
Area[2]
 • Total 32.71 km2 (12.63 sq mi)
Population (2011)[2]
 • Total 15,176
 • Density 460/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[2]
 • Black African 6.4%
 • Coloured 75.7%
 • Indian/Asian 0.5%
 • White 16.4%
 • Other 1.0%
First languages (2011)[2]
 • Afrikaans 91.2%
 • English 5.5%
 • Xhosa 1.5%
 • Other 1.9%
Postal code (street) 6720
PO box 6720
Area code 023
Website http://www.montagu-ashton.info

Montagu is a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa, about 180 km from Cape Town in western Little Karoo. It is named after former secretary of the Cape Colony, John Montagu, but was once known as Agter Cogman’s Kloof, Cogman’s Kloof linking the town and railway station. It is situated at the confluence of the Keisie and Kingna rivers.

Montagu was founded on the farm "Uitvlugt" in 1851, and is known for its hot mineral springs and scenic mountains. It is also an agricultural centre, where orchards and vineyards are in production and local herbs are grown. The farming area, 'Koo', lies north of the town and is famous for the quality of its apples, pears, apricots and peaches. The author Francis Brett Young spent his final years here. Nearby rock formations make it one of the country's major rock climbing venues. The 1266 m high Bloupunt peak overlooks the village and offers several hiking trails, as well as kloofing and mountain biking trails further afield.

Montagu is near the Robertson Wine Valley, and is most easily reached via the Route 62 scenic route.

The Dutch Reformed Church in Montagu

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Montagu, Western Cape.

References

  1. ↑ "Chronological order of town establishment in South Africa based on Floyd (1960:20-26)" (PDF). pp. xlv–lii.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Main Place Montagu". Census 2011.
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