Alexandria, Eastern Cape
Encyclopedia
Alexandria, South Africa is a small farming town in the Eastern Cape of South Africa
and is situated 100 km North East of Port Elizabeth
on the way to Bushman's River Mouth, Kenton-on-Sea
and Port Alfred
. Alexandria is part of the Ndlambe Local Municipality
in the Cacadu District
of the Eastern Cape.
It may have been established by the Dutch colonial government
in the late 18th century, but was named Alexandria in 1856 after Reverend Alexander Smith.
Alexandria is one of the most important chicory
producing areas in South Africa and is also known for pineapple production and dairy farming. The Alexandria area also includes the Alexandria State Forest, known as Langebos to the locals, which is a narrow stretch of pristine indigenous forest bordering the Alexandria dune
field, one of the largest active dune fields in the world. The Woody Cape Nature Reserve, which stretches from the Sundays River
mouth to the Bushman's River
mouth and includes the dune field and the indigenous forest, has been incorporated into the Addo Elephant National Park
.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and is situated 100 km North East of Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
Port Elizabeth is one of the largest cities in South Africa, situated in the Eastern Cape Province, east of Cape Town. The city, often shortened to PE and nicknamed "The Friendly City" or "The Windy City", stretches for 16 km along Algoa Bay, and is one of the major seaports in South Africa...
on the way to Bushman's River Mouth, Kenton-on-Sea
Kenton-on-Sea
Kenton-on-Sea, more commonly known as Kenton, is a small coastal town on the Sunshine Coast, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It is situated between the Bushman's River and the Kariega River, and lies approximately half way between the industrial centres of East London and Port Elizabeth...
and Port Alfred
Port Alfred
Port Alfred is a small town with a population of just under 20,000 in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is situated on the eastern seaboard of the country at the mouth of the Kowie River, almost exactly half-way between the larger cities of Port Elizabeth and East London and 30 km...
. Alexandria is part of the Ndlambe Local Municipality
Ndlambe Local Municipality
Ndlambe Local Municipality is an administrative area in the Cacadu District of the Eastern Cape in South Africa, with its capital at Port Alfred...
in the Cacadu District
Cacadu District Municipality
Cacadu District Municipality is situated in the Western Portion of the Eastern Cape province, covering an area of 58 242 square kilometres. The area of the district municipality includes nine local municipalities and other portions collectively known as the District Management Areas . The seat of...
of the Eastern Cape.
It may have been established by the Dutch colonial government
Dutch Empire
The Dutch Empire consisted of the overseas territories controlled by the Dutch Republic and later, the modern Netherlands from the 17th to the 20th century. The Dutch followed Portugal and Spain in establishing an overseas colonial empire, but based on military conquest of already-existing...
in the late 18th century, but was named Alexandria in 1856 after Reverend Alexander Smith.
Alexandria is one of the most important chicory
Chicory
Common chicory, Cichorium intybus, is a somewhat woody, perennial herbaceous plant usually with bright blue flowers, rarely white or pink. Various varieties are cultivated for salad leaves, chicons , or for roots , which are baked, ground, and used as a coffee substitute and additive. It is also...
producing areas in South Africa and is also known for pineapple production and dairy farming. The Alexandria area also includes the Alexandria State Forest, known as Langebos to the locals, which is a narrow stretch of pristine indigenous forest bordering the Alexandria dune
Dune
In physical geography, a dune is a hill of sand built by wind. Dunes occur in different forms and sizes, formed by interaction with the wind. Most kinds of dunes are longer on the windward side where the sand is pushed up the dune and have a shorter "slip face" in the lee of the wind...
field, one of the largest active dune fields in the world. The Woody Cape Nature Reserve, which stretches from the Sundays River
Sundays River
The Sundays River is a river in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and is said to be the fastest flowing river in South Africa. The Khoisan people originally named this river Nukakamma because the river's banks are always green and grassy despite the arid terrain that it runs...
mouth to the Bushman's River
Bushman's River
The Bushman's River is an east to north-easterly flowing tributary of the Tugela River, in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. It rises in the Drakensberg Mountain range, with its upper catchment in the Giant's Castle Game Reserve, north of the Giant's Castle promontory...
mouth and includes the dune field and the indigenous forest, has been incorporated into the Addo Elephant National Park
Addo Elephant National Park
Addo Elephant National Park is an elephant park situated close to Port Elizabeth in South Africa and is recognized as one of the country's twenty national parks.- History :...
.