Virtual Africa

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The Richtersveld is found in the north-western most corner of South Africa, right up against the border with Namibia.It’s a dry and arid semi-desert with some of the most rugged landscapes you’ll find on the continent of Africa.
It’s a place of strange and unexpected beauty with wonderful rock formations, big blue African skies by day and mind boggling star gazing at night.
The Richtersveld is where you go to recharge – to get away from cellphones, dairies and people, a place of near desolation where only the toughest of natural adaptations have survived.

More 360º Images:

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(click on these images to load fully interactive 360º images)

Why is the Richtersveld a World Heritage Site?

It is therefor slightly ironic that the reason why the Richterveld is a World Heritage Site, is not because of its ‘desolation’ but because of its population.

The Nama people have made this part of the world their home about two millennia ago and because no one else has been willing or able to survive in this landscape, their lifestyle has not changed much in that time.

“The extensive communal grazed lands of the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape are a testimony to land management processes which have ensured the protection of the succulent Karoo vegetation and thus demonstrates a harmonious interaction between people and nature.” (UNESCO :http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1265)

In short: long before Al Gore, Green Peace and the concept of sustainable development, the Nama got it right!
They live in harmony with their surrounds even though, when looking at the surrounds, one wouldn’t expect it to be possible.

Some cool FACTS about the Richtersveld:

• the Richtersveld contains the most diverse desert flora on the planet
• one of the strangest plants found only in this area is the “Halfmens”, which translates to “half person” and resembles the shape of a human.
• the Nama revere the “Halfmens”and see it as the embodiment of their ancestors
• temperatures of up to 53º have been recorded in summer time

Why the Richtersveld makes us proud to be Africans:

• not only the land, but the lifestyle of the Nama has been protected under law
• a large part is owned and managed by the local community

Links to sites with Richtersveld information

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites official Richtersveld entry
• South African National Parks
• Wikipedia article

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