Kimberley, Mining town in Northern Cape, South Africa
The city centers around the Big Hole, a former diamond mine extending 1.5 kilometers in circumference, located in a semi-arid region near the Orange River.
The discovery of diamonds in 1871 transformed the area into a mining settlement, leading to its incorporation as Kimberley in 1873 and official city status by 1912.
The Kimberley Mine Museum presents exhibits of diamond mining equipment, Victorian structures, and photographs documenting the lives of miners from different communities.
The Sol Plaatje International Airport connects the city with major South African destinations, while national highways provide road access from Johannesburg and Cape Town.
In 1882, Kimberley became the first city in the Southern Hemisphere to install electric street lights, marking its rapid development during the diamond mining period.
Location: Sol Plaatje Local Municipality
Inception: 1873
Elevation above the sea: 1,184 m
Shares border with: Warrenton
Website: https://solplaatje.org.za
GPS coordinates: -28.73833,24.76389
Latest update: May 26, 2025 19:15
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