Wolkberg
| Wolkberg | |
|---|---|
 NASA picture of the Wolkberg | |
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Ysterkroon |
| Elevation | 2,126 m (6,975 ft) |
| Listing | List of mountain ranges of South Africa |
| Coordinates | 24°3′54″S 30°3′54″E / 24.06500°S 30.06500°E |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 30 km (19 mi) NW/SE |
| Width | 10 km (6.2 mi) NE/SW |
| Geography | |
  Wolkberg | |
| Country | Bushveld igneous complex, sandstone |
The Wolkberg is a
Kwazulu Natal and Mpumalanga. At 2200 m (7200 ft) above sea level, it is the highest mountain range in Limpopo, together with the Iron crown mountain. Its Meteorological significance is that it brings along cold fronts and is a source of cold winters throughout the Limpopo province, the cold front gets transferred from greater Drakensberg mountains in Kwazulu Natal all the way to the Wolkberg. Without the Wolkberg, Limpopo will not experience cold winters at all . The range extends for about 30 km (19 mi) in a NW/SE direction north of Sekhukhuneland. The nearest towns are Haenertsburg and Tzaneen
.
Physiography
The range forms a high plateau reaching up to 2126 m in height at the Ysterkroon, its highest point. Other conspicuous peaks are 2050 m high Serala,[1] 1838 m high Mamotswiri, 1667 m high Magopalone and 1611 m high Selemole.
The Wolkberg is the source of many small mountain streams, as well as the Mohlapitse[2] and the Ga-Selati River, tributaries of the Olifants River.[3]
Ecology
Weather can change very fast from clear skies to becoming misty, with the highest reaches enveloped in clouds. Hence the name of the range, meaning "Cloud Mountain" in
Lotana blue (Lepidochrysops lotana) are only known from the Wolkberg area.[4]
The Wolkberg Wilderness Area is a protected area located in the range.[5]
See also
References
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wolkberg.
- Google Earth Map of the Wolkberg
- Wolkberg Wilderness — near Polokwane, Limpopo Province.
- Limpopo Tourism and Parks Board: page on Wolkberg
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