Blaauwberg Conservation Area

Blaauwberg Conservation Area
Map of Western Cape
Location	Cape Town
Coordinates	33°46′05″S 18°27′10″E / 33.76806°S 18.45278°ECoordinates: 33°46′05″S 18°27′10″E / 33.76806°S 18.45278°E
Area	953 ha (2,350 acres) 2,000 ha (4,900 acres) planned
Established	2007

Blaauwberg Conservation Area (BCA) is a nature reserve in Cape Town, located north of the main city centre. With its impressive views over Table Bay, this is the only viewpoint in the world where one can simultaneously look out over two official World Heritage Sites (Table Mountain and Robben Island).^[1]

Proclaimed as a nature reserve in 2007, this area has an important history. Shell middens dating from over 15 000 years ago can be found along the coast. The Battle of Blaauwberg, that saw the Dutch lose control of the Cape to the British, took place here, and wartime infrastructure from WW II also survives on Blaauwberg Hill.

The BCA protects three endangered vegetation types: Cape Flats Sand Fynbos (critically endangered), Cape Flats Dune Strandveld (endangered) and Swartland Shale Renosterveld (critically endangered). This amounts to an incredibly rich biodiversity within a relatively small 953 ha (2,350 acres) area.^[2]

The conservation area is also used for recreational activities such as surfing, hiking, wind surfing, whale watching and picnics.^[3]

See also

• Biodiversity of Cape Town
• List of nature reserves in Cape Town
• Cape Flats Sand Fynbos
• Cape Flats Dune Strandveld
• Swartland Shale Renosterveld

References

1. "City of Cape Town Nature Reserves. Free Booklet" (PDF).
2. "Flora of the Western Cape".
3. "Environmental resources and downloads. City of Cape Town. Environmental Resource Management Dept".