CAPE OF GOOD HOPE, PROVINCE

OF THE, formerly Cape Colony, part of Brit. Empire forming extreme S. of Brit. 8. Africa and of African continent Africa and Bechunanland protectorates, N.E. by Transvaal, Orange Free State, Basutoland, Natal, S.E. and 8. by Southern Ocean, and W. by Atlantic Ocean. Running parallel with coast, and about 150 m. distant from it, is series of mountains known by various names of Mountains, with elevations of 6,000 to 11,000 ft. From coast to these, surface rises by three terraces divided by subsidiary mountain ranges, large part of third terrace being occupied by Great Karroo, a long treele plateau, with bare table-topped hills, sloping from 4,000 ft. on W. to 3,000 on E., and covered with scrubby karroo bush. The Southern Karroo, or second terrace, resembles Great Karroo, and both have great fertility under irrigation. Coast terrace and hilly country in EF. have gra y plains and woodlands. To N. of great range of mountains surface slopes to: valley’ of Orange River, and plateau of interior beyond. Eastern part of province has rainfall of 25 to 28 in center, 8S. coast and Karroo, 9 to 25 in., Great Karroo and country N. and N.W. of it, 9 in. or le . No large river except Orange, which rises in mount a ing in E. Western districts have winter rains, and eastern summer rains. Mean temperature ranges from 51° to 79° FF, Resources.—Chief source of wealth is diamond mines, center being at Kim berley in Sink ere 85 W.; rich copper deposits in Nam aqua land; coal in E., manganese and tin near Cape Town; iron, zinc, lead. Sheep and Angora goats are reared in large numbers, ducing great quantities of wool mohair; cattle, horses, mules, on. Maize, millet, wheat, barley cultivated; grapes, peaches, nectarines, figs, oranges, olives, apples, bananas, tomatoes, and fruits and vegetables grown; brandy, and raisins produced; tures unimportant; exports include copper ore, regulus, and precipitate, hides, sheep and goat skins, maize; ports clothing, iron, coal, textiles, carriages, books, furniture, tobacco, grain, hardware, cutlery, provisions, liquors, etc. Irrigation ohh rapid strides. Railway mileage 4,254, Inhabitants include Dutch, and other European nationalities; western districts are greatest number Dutch, in eastern of English. The are descended from early Dutch ists and Huguenot exiles from Natives include Bantus, or Many of Bantus are people of eae: Hottentots are short, ushmen are lowest S. African There are also numbers of Indians Malays, and of ‘colored’ people, half-castes. Chief religion of whites Protestant ism (Dutch Reformed Anglican, Presbyterian, etc.). tion is obligatory for ri near Cape Town is provincial capital seat of Union Parliament. 619,300 are white. | History.—Cape of Good Hope first discovered by Port. navigator, Bartholomew Diaz, in 1486, and again doubled by Vasco da Gama 1497-9. No Port. colonies, however, were established here, and first European nation to make settlement were Dutch, who in 1652 under van established a fort on coast of Bay. They used it only as calling tion for their ships going to E. In 1685 the revocation of the of Nantes had the result of about three hundred Huguenots to refuge at the Cape. The country then governed by the Dutch E. Co., whose rule was so severe that settlers gradually removed as far po ible into the interior in order avoid taxation and tyrannical tions. Many Hottentots were and their lands annexed. Dutch of Cape lasted for nearly a century a half. In 1780, however, having declared war against Holland, who was allied with France, arranged send fleet against Cape; this was proout next year, when the British wer and defeated by a Fr. fleet before reaching donkeys their destination. Fifteen years late carried the British made another and succe fu are invasion and captured Cape in 1795 apricots, ruled by Britain until 1803, when i pine was restored to Holland, the Dutch EB other India Co. being now superseded by thé wine, Batavian republic, who governed fo: manufacthree years; war having again broker diaout, British once more took Cape Colon; feathers, 1806, which was formally surrenderec raw to her by treaty in 1814. imThe British then began the systematic leather, colonization of country. Several strug: paper, gles with Kaffirs had already taker tools, place, and for some time hostilities conhas tinued, wars breaking out from time « is time. Ultimately the Kaffirs were defeated by Sir Harry Smith, and peace English, was concluded in 1835. Meantime al in| slaves had been emancipated in 1834 of which roused discontent among the Boers Boers (Dutch settlers), and in 1835 many colon of the latter set off on what is called France. the Great Trek, cro ed Orange River. Kaffirs, and eventually established the Transvaal etc. Republic and Orange Free State. In fine 1846 occurred another war with Kaffirs, and who were defeated by British, and race. acknowledged that country west of rivet and | K ei was British by right of conquest. (7.e.,) In 1847 Brit. right to district between is Kei and Keiskamma was proclaimed by Church, Sir Harry Smith, new governor. HostilEducaities again broke out in 1850, and con children. tinued till 1853. Meantime great disand content had been caused by Earl Grey’s Area, proposal in 1848 to establish a penal whom settlement at the Cape; agitation was so pronounced that idea was abandoned was in_ 1850; this led to desire on part of colonists for representative government, was and in 1854 constitution was established, in with two elective chambers, the first Parliament being opened in that year. Under Sir George Grey, governor the 1854-61, various improvements were Riebeck carried out; he ameliorated the cond i Table tions by which land was held by natives, stasupported mi ions, and began opening Indies. up the country by roads and railways. Edict Brit. Kaffraria was annexed to Cape in sending 1865, Basutoland in 1871; latter was seek afterwards taken under direct control of was Brit. crown. Griqualand West was also India annexed in 1871, and subsequently the incorporated with Oape Colony, its as diamond mines forming great source of to wealth. Discovery of diamonds in regula various districts resulted in further dekilled velopment of country from 1867 on control wards. During administration of Si Britain, another Kaffir war, which was soo’ suppre ed. War in Basutoland in 1 to led ultimately to establishment of carried country as crown colony. Walfish was annexed in 1884; Port of St. John’s in same year was incorporated with Cape Colony; and in 1885 Tembuland, with Bomvanaland and Gcalekaland, became integral parts of colony. Meantime the first Boer War had occurred in 1881; this resulted in foundation of Afrikander Bond, which aimed at establishing Afrikander nation and removing Brit. control. Pondoland was added to Cape Colony in 1894, and in 1895 occurred the annexation of Brit. Bechuanaland. Cecil J. Rhodes was prime minister in 1890-6, and had great share in development of colony. In 1899-1902 the great Boer War occurred, and for a time Cape Colony was invaded. Cape Colony was united with Natal, Transvaal, and Orange River Colony in 1910, as the Union of S. Africa; and became the Province of the Cape of Good Hope. Purely provincial affairs are in hands of Provincial Council, which is subject to the Parliament of the Union of S. Africa. The province sends 51 members to the House of A embly and 8 members to the Senate. The English and Dutch languages are both official. 27’ E.), peninsula, S. Africa, on N. of which stands Cape Town.