Maclear, Eastern Cape

Maclear

Maclear
Maclear

 Maclear shown within Eastern Cape

Coordinates: 31°05′S 28°22′E / 31.083°S 28.367°E / -31.083; 28.367Coordinates: 31°05′S 28°22′E / 31.083°S 28.367°E / -31.083; 28.367
Country South Africa
Province Eastern Cape
District Joe Gqabi
Municipality Elundini
Established 1876
Area[1]
  Total 9.2 km2 (3.6 sq mi)
Elevation 1,272 m (4,173 ft)
Population (2011)[1]
  Total 10,521
  Density 1,100/km2 (3,000/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[1]
  Black African 93.1%
  Coloured 4.3%
  Indian/Asian 0.2%
  White 2.0%
  Other 0.4%
First languages (2011)[1]
  Xhosa 88.3%
  Afrikaans 5.1%
  English 2.7%
  Sotho 2.1%
  Other 1.8%
Postal code (street) 5480
PO box 5480
Area code 045
Website http://www.maclear.co.za/

Maclear is a small town situated in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, near the Mooi River (a tributary of the Tsitsa River), 172 km north of East London and 80 km north-east of Elliot. It was founded in 1876 as a military camp, called Nqanqaru Drift and developed rapidly, reaching municipal status in 1916. Was named after Sir Thomas Maclear (1794-1879), a famous astronomer who laid the foundation for a trigonometrical survey of the Cape Colony.

It lies just north-east of Ugie. The land to the east and south was part of the former homeland of Transkei.

Tourism

Maclear is a popular trout-fishing resort set in beautiful surroundings.[2]

Geographic Location

[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Sum of the Main Places Sonwabile and Maclear from Census 2011.
  2. "Dictionary of Southern African Place Names (Public Domain)". Human Science Research Council. p. 289.
  3. saexplorer - travel distances from Maclear
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