Dwarskersbos

Dwarskersbos is a fishing village and vacation resort some 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) north of Laaiplek in West Coast District Municipality in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

Dwarskersbos
Beach house in Dwarskersbos
Beach house in Dwarskersbos
Dwarskersbos is located in Western Cape
Dwarskersbos
Dwarskersbos
Dwarskersbos is located in South Africa
Dwarskersbos
Dwarskersbos
Coordinates: 32°42′S 18°14′E
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceWestern Cape
DistrictWest Coast
MunicipalityBergrivier
Area
[1]
 • Total1.53 km2 (0.59 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total670
 • Density440/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
[1]
 • Black African29.9%
 • Coloured9.7%
 • Indian/Asian2.7%
 • White57.5%
 • Other0.1%
First languages (2011)
[1]
 • Afrikaans94.5%
 • English4.5%
 • Other1.0%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
Area code022
Websitewww.dwarskersbos.com
Sunset shot over a beach house in Dwarskersbos.

Etymology

The name is said to be derived from the name of the plant Euclea polyandra of the genus Euclea(Afrikaans: dwarskers or kersbos) which grows abundantly in the region.

History

The Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama first set foot on South African soil on 7 November 1497 near here when he explored the present St Helena Bay.

The town was established on the farm “Dwarskersbos” that belonged to the Smit family[2] in 1920.

A 6m high storm surge struck Dwarskersbos on 27 August 1969.

Geography

Its beach stretches from Velddrif and Dwarskerbos almost 40 kilometres north towards Elands Bay,[3] making it the longest uninterrupted sandy beach in South Africa. [4]

Notable people

References
  1. "Main Place Dwarskersbos". Census 2011.
  2. "Dwarskersbos: Tranquil Village".
  3. "Dwarskersbos: Tranquil Village".
  4. "Dictionary of Southern African Place Names (Public Domain)". Human Science Research Council. p. 148.
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