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THE MOUNTAIN OF THE MOON
Richtersveld From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape* UNESCO World Heritage Site

Richtersveld-Nationalpark, Northern Cape State Party South Africa Type Cultural Criteria iv, v Reference 1265 Region** Africa Inscription history Inscription 2007 (31st Session) The Richtersveld is situated in South Africa’s Northern Cape province, a mountainous desert landscape characterised by rugged kloofs, high mountains and dramatic landscapes. It is full of changing scenery from flat sandy plains, to craggy sharp mountains of volcanic rock and the lushness of the Orange River, which forms the border with neighbouring Namibia. The park ranges in altitude from less than 60m (less than 200 feet) in its far North, along the Orange river, to 1377m (4518 feet) at Cornellberg somewhat South of centre.
 * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List.
 * Region as classified by UNESCO.

Located in South Africa's northern Namaqualand, this arid area represents a harsh landscape where water is a great scarcity and only the hardiest of lifeforms survive. Despite this, the Richtersveld is regarded as the only Arid Biodiversity Hotspot on Earth, with an astonishing variety of plant, bird and animal life (much of which is endemic).

A favourite amongst nature travellers to South Africa, the landscape is sometimes described as "martian". Though barren and desolate at first glance, closer examination reveals the area to be rich in desert lifeforms, with an array or unique species specially adapted for survival.

Temperatures are extreme, and in summer can reach over 50°C. Rain is a very, very rare event.

The northern part of the area was proclaimed as a National Park in 1991 after 18 years of negotiation with the local Nama people, who continue to live and graze their livestock in the area. It has an area of 1,624.45 square kilometres.

In June 2007, the "Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape", just to the south of the National Park and an area of equivalent size and beauty, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unlike the National Park, the Richtersveld Community Conservancy [1], which forms the core zone of the World Heritage Site, is not subject to diamond mining and is as a result the more pristine of the two areas.

Contents [hide] 1 Climate 1.1 "Malmokkies" 2 Wildlife 3 Plant life 3.1 Odd vegetation 3.2 Cultural Value 3.3 Travel & Accommodation 4 See also 5 External links

[edit] Climate The climate here is harsh with temperatures of up to 53 °C having been recorded in mid-summer. Nights are cool and bring with them heavy dew. This unique climate is what has fostered such a unique ecosystem.

[edit] "Malmokkies" With water so scarce, life in the Richtersveld depends on moisture from the early morning fog. Locals call it 'Ihuries' or 'Malmokkies' and it makes survival possible for a range of small reptiles, birds and mammals.

[edit] Wildlife The park boasts excellent bird watching opportunities, as well as a diverse range of animals including grey rhebok, duiker, steenbok, klipspringer, kudu, Hartman’s mountain zebra, baboon, vervet monkey, caracal and leopard.

[edit] Plant life Home to an impressive 650 plant species, this park boasts the world’s largest diversity of succulents and represents a prime example of one of the most interesting mega-ecosystems in the world, the Karoo.

[edit] Odd vegetation The area is home to a number of rather unusual plants, many of which are found nowhere else on earth. Chief among these is the "Halfmensboom" (Pachypodium namaquanum Welw.). Literally translated, this means "half-person tree" and the name comes from the tree's resemblance to the human form; its top consists of a grouping of thick, crinkled leaves, which can make it look almost like a human head.

These trees are revered by the indigenous Nama people as the embodiment of their ancestors, half human, half plant, mourning for their ancient Namibian home.

Also found here are gnarled quiver trees, tall aloes and a variety of other succulents.

[edit] Cultural Value The area is inhabited by Nama and other peoples. The local community, which owns the entire area, manages the National Park in conjunction with South African National Parks and is entirely responsible for management of the World Heritage Site. Both areas are used by traditional nomadic herders to practice their ancient lifestyle and culture. It is the last place where the traditional way of life of the KhoiKhoi (of whom the Nama are the surviving clan), who once occupied the entire south-western part of Africa, survives to any great extent.

[edit] Travel & Accommodation Getting around inside the World Heritage Site and National Park is difficult and an all-wheel drive vehicle is required. Tourist accommodation is available in the National Park, at the villages of Eksteenfontein and Lekkersing on the edges of the World Heritage Site and at Rooiberg inside the World Heritage Site.

[show]v • d • eDeserts Africa Bayuda Desert • Chalbi Desert • Danakil Desert • Eastern Desert • Ferio Desert • Kalahari Desert • Libyan Desert • Namib Desert • Nubian Desert • Nyiri Desert • Richtersveld • Sahara • Ténéré • White Desert Antarctica Antarctica Asia Ad-Dahna Desert • Arabian Desert • Aral Karakum • Aralkum • Badain Jaran Desert • Betpak-Dala • Cholistan Desert • Dasht-e Kavir • Dasht-e Lut • Dasht-e Margoh • Dasht-e Naomid • Dzoosotoyn Elisen Desert • Gobi Desert • Hami Desert • Indus Valley Desert • Judean Desert • Karakum Desert • Kharan Desert • Kumtag Desert • Kum-tagh Desert • Kyzyl Kum • Lop Desert • Nefud • Negev • Ordos Desert • Qaidam • Rub' al Khali • Registan Desert • Saryesik-Atyrau Desert • Syrian Desert • Taklamakan Desert • Tengger Desert • Thal Desert • Thar • Tihamah • Ustyurt Plateau • Wahiba Sands Australia Gibson Desert • Great Sandy Desert • Great Victoria Desert • Little Sandy Desert • Nullarbor Plain • Painted Desert • Pedirka Desert • Simpson Desert • Strzelecki Desert • Sturt's Stony Desert • Tanami Desert • Tirari Desert Europe Accona Desert • Bardenas Reales • Błędów Desert • Cabo de Gata • Deliblatska Peščara • Hálendi • Oleshky Sands • Oltenian Sahara • Ryn Desert • Tabernas Desert North America Alvord Desert • Amargosa Desert • Baja California Desert • Black Rock Desert • Carcross "Desert" • Channeled scablands • Chihuahuan Desert • Escalante Desert • Gran Desierto de Altar • Great Basin • Great Salt Lake Desert • Jornada del Muerto • Mojave Desert • Nk'mip "Desert" • Owyhee Desert • Painted Desert • Red Desert • Sonoran Desert South America Atacama Desert • La Guajira Desert • Los Médanos de Coro • Monte Desert • Patagonian Desert • Sechura Desert • Tatacoa Desert Oceania Kaʻū Desert • Rangipo "Desert" See also: List of deserts and List of deserts by area

[edit] See also Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park List of national parks Ai-Ais Hot Springs Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Richtersveld-Nationalpark [edit] External links Richtersveld National Park and the Orange River The Richtersveld Community Conservancy, core of the World Heritage Site A mini travel portal for those considering to visit the Richtersveld. The Richtersveld Municipality website. Coordinates: 28°17′24″S 17°08′11″E﻿ / ﻿28.29°S 17.13639°E﻿ / -28.29; 17.13639 [show]v • d • eWorld Heritage Sites in South Africa Cape Floral Region Protected Areas · Fossil Hominid Sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai and Environs · iSimangaliso Wetland Park · Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape · Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape · Robben Island · uKhahlamba / Drakensberg Park · Vredefort Dome
 * Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier National Park

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