Robben Island (World Heritage)
The former prison island 12 km from Cape Town was the main prison for political opponents of the regime. It is a national symbol for the apartheid regime and for the successful resistance of the black population. The most famous inmate was Nelson Mandela, who served most of his almost 28-year prison term there.
Robben Island: facts
| Official title: | Robben Island |
| Cultural monument: | Small island northwest of Cape Town, 9 km off the coast of Table Bay, 3 km long, 1.2 km wide, up to 35 m above sea level; since 1658 prison island, mental hospital and military base; from 1961 used as a maximum security prison for political prisoners; from 1964 to 1982 place of imprisonment of the later first Black African President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela; Prison Island abandoned in 1996 |
| Continent: | Africa |
| Country: | South Africa |
| Location: | 9 km before Cape Town |
| Appointment: | 1999 |
| Meaning: | Outstanding symbol for the apartheid regime in South Africa and for the successful resistance of the black population |
Fossil sites in South Africa (World Heritage)
With more than 500 hominid finds, the area around Sterkfontein is one of the most important paleontological sites in the world. It is of great importance in the study of human evolution. The most important finds include a skull of the species Australopithecus africanus (“Mrs. Ples”) and the skeletal remains of “Little Foot”, an approximately 3.3 million year old Australopithecus.
Fossil Sites in South Africa: Facts
| Official title: | Sites of fossil hominids from Sterkfontein, Swartkrans and Kromdraai and their surroundings |
| Cultural monument: | Sites with unique finds, including the Taung skull (discovered in 1924; belongs to the species of Australopithecus africanus); Makapan valley with traces of human development 3.3 million years ago |
| Continent: | Africa |
| Country: | South Africa |
| Location: | Krugersdorp, Transvaal, Northwest Province |
| Appointment: | 1999 |
| Meaning: | Unique sites for evolutionary research |
iSimangaliso Wetland Park (World Heritage)
According to topb2bwebsites, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park on the east coast of South Africa consists of different ecosystems with an extraordinary biodiversity. The sanctuary extends from the Indian Ocean with its coral reefs to Lake St. Lucia and wooded dunes to papyrus and reed swamps. The park is a habitat for buffalo, rhinos, leopards, cheetahs, various antelope species, crocodiles and hippos as well as over 400 species of birds.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park: Facts
| Official title: | iSimangaliso Wetland Park |
| Natural monument: | Wetland (until 2007 Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park) on a total area of 2345 km²; five different ecosystems, Indian Ocean, coral reefs, second highest forested dunes in the world, papyrus and reed swamps, savannah; Diverse fauna: numerous species of fish, 521 species of birds, hippos, turtles, dolphins, pelicans and the largest crocodile population |
| Continent: | Africa |
| Country: | South Africa |
| Location: | St. Lucia, northeast of the Kwa-Zulu-Natal Province |
| Appointment: | 1999 |
| Meaning: | Outstanding wetland with exceptional biodiversity |
Maloti-Drakensberg Park (World Heritage)
The “Dragon Mountains” are the highest mountains in South Africa. They extend over around 1000 km in a north-south direction in the east of South Africa. The highest elevation of the Drakensberg and at the same time completely in South Africa is the Champagne Castle at 3376 m on the border with Lesotho. The landscape is characterized by deep gorges, battlements, ridges, caves and rock overhangs. The so-called amphitheater, an approx. 8 km long and 1000 m high, almost vertical rock face is spectacular. 8000 years ago the San left several thousand rock paintings in rock overhangs and caves, which were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Maloti-Drakensberg Park: Facts
| Official title: | Maloti-Drakensberg Park |
| Cultural and natural monument: | Up to 3500 m high mountain range as the eastern part of the Great Peripheral Step in southern Africa; in caves and abrises (rock overhangs) more than 20,000 rock carvings of the San people; monochrome and polychrome rock paintings, especially with wild animals, hunting and fighting scenes, also scenes probably with mythological content; well-preserved pictures from the last centuries. 2013 expansion to include the 65 km² Sehlabathebe National Park, founded in 1969 in the Maloti Mountains of Lesotho, which is up to 2900 m high and has a multitude of rivers as well as the Tsoelikane waterfall; Important sanctuary for endangered vulture species such as Cape vultures and bearded vultures, rare fish species and 250 endemic plant species. |
| Continent: | Africa |
| Country: | South Africa |
| Location: | Kwa-Zulu-Natal |
| Appointment: | 2000, expansion 2013 |
| Meaning: | outstanding example of rock art south of the Sahara and an important sanctuary for endangered animals |
