GeographySituated roughly in the middle of the country, De Aar is midway between Pretoria and Cape Town. It lies about 820km from Pretoria, 770km from Cape Town, with Hanover being about 70km to the southeast.HistoryThe history of De Aar is essentially tied up with the history of South Africa's railway system. Although it is now closed, this was the second most important railway junction in South Africa, and it was here that the lines from the Eastern and Western Cape, as well as the northern provinces, Zimbabwe and Namibia met. The South African government is seriously looking at reviving the railway junction, which would be a huge boost to the economy and job market in the area. The town was established on a farm with the same name. De Aar is a Dutch term that means "artery" and it refers to an underground watercourse in the area. Owing to its central location, the government bought the farm and built the first railway line from Cape Town to Kimberley in 1881. Today the town is the main commercial and distribution centre for a large area of the central Great Karoo. Arts and Culture Some fascinating San rock engravings can be seen on the farms Nooitgedacht, Brandfontein and Damfontein. Of cultural interest is the fact that Olive Schreiner, the famous South African feminist and author of "Women and Labour", lived in a house in Grundlingh, which has been transformed into a museum and a restaurant. A stroll through the Garden of Remembrance which honours the British soldiers killed during the South African (Anglo-Boer War), will be prove both interesting and relaxing.Science Visitors with an interest in the sciences will be enlightened by a trip to the Weather Station. Major production activities of the area include wool production and livestock farming, and the town produces much of the famous Karoo lamb and mutton that South Africans love.EntertainmentParagliding and hang gliding are popular sports in De Aar, and the San Flatland Paragliding Challenge is a fun competition with winners reaching distances of almost 60m!Did You Know The archives of the South African Rugby Football Union, with some documents that are over 100-years old, are held in De Aar.
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Places to Stay in De Aar, Northern Cape, South Africa |
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 | DE HERBERG LODGE
AA Recommended
Places to Stay in De Aar, Northern CapeYour home from home. Very private, modern, spacious well-equipped rooms with a friendly atmosphere. Everything you need for a comfortable stay near mid-town. Value for money. We love to serve you. Your hosts: Johan and Franconette. |  | Ebb And Flow Rest Camp, North
AA Eco
Places to Stay in De Aar, Northern CapeRustic accommodation in self-contained 2-bed huts with soap, washbasin, 2-plate stove, fridge, cooking and eating utensils, some with own shower, some using communal ablution blocks. Camping on banks of the Touws River. Some sites without power points. |  | De Aar Guest House
AA Highly Recommended
Places to Stay in De Aar, Northern CapeThree confortable rooms in homely guest house.
Dinner on request. |  | Inn Excellence B&b
AA Associate Member
Places to Stay in De Aar, Northern CapeHalfway stopover between Addo and Kgalagadi. Comfortable and peaceful home away from home. Built in the early 1900's, Inn Excellence offers 3-star accommodation with 6 en suite double bedrooms. Old-world furniture and décor. Karoo cuisine and hospitality at its best. |  | Dorpshuis Guest Accommodation
AA Highly Recommended
Places to Stay in De Aar, Northern CapeA quiet, relaxed alternative to the N1, between Bloemfontein and Three Sisters. Ideal stopover from (N10) East London/Port Elizabeth to Namibia/Upington/Kalahari and Gauteng to Western Cape. Spacious, en suite rooms with M-Net and air-conditioning. Unique atmosphere and good food. |
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