Greyton

Greyton
Greyton
Coordinates	34 ° 3 ′  S , 19 ° 37 ′  E Coordinates: 34 ° 3 ′  S , 19 ° 37 ′  E
Basic data
Country	South Africa
province	Western cape
District	Overberg
local community	Theewaterskloof
height	331 m
Residents	2780 (2011)
founding	1854
Website	www.greyton.co.za (English)
View of Greyton

Greyton is a small town in the municipality of Theewaterskloof , Overberg District , Western Cape Province in South Africa . In 2011 it had 2780 inhabitants. It lies at a height of 331 meters above sea level at the foot of the Riviersonderend Mountains on the river of the same name (German: "River without end"). Caledon is 30 kilometers and Cape Town 150 kilometers away.

The city is located in the South Coast Forelands - Ecoregion (with Lowland fynbos and Renosterveld ; WWF ecoregion AT1202), the Caledon in the west to Mossel Bay ranges in the east.

Originally an agricultural settlement, artists and wealthy dropouts from Cape Town have discovered the city for themselves in recent years. Many of the existing historic buildings have been extensively renovated, there are art galleries and a highly regarded music festival that takes place every summer.

history

Before the arrival of the Dutch settlers in 1652, the Overberg region was populated by Khoikhoi tribes known as Hessequa and Attaqua. Greyton was founded in 1854 by Herbert Vigne on the Weltevreden farm , and it received town charter in 1910. It is named after Sir George Edward Gray , the governor of the Cape Province from December 5, 1854 to November 5, 1856.

As in Swellendam , a historic Leiwater drainage system runs through the city. These are open channels through which community-owned water is passed a few days a week.

Sights and events

• Boesmanskloof Trail , a 16-kilometer hiking trail through the mountains to McGregor
• Wineries

Andy Mitchell Wines

Lismore Estate Vineyards

• Music festival

Web links

• Official website (English)
• Tourist information about Greyton (English)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ 2011 census , accessed November 19, 2013