Molteno Pass
| Molteno Pass | |
|---|---|
| Moltenopas | |
 | |
| Elevation | 1,209 m (3,967 ft) |
| Location | Western Cape, South Africa |
| Range | Nuweveld Mountains |
| Coordinates | 32°13′6″S 22°33′7″E / 32.21833°S 22.55194°ECoordinates: 32°13′6″S 22°33′7″E / 32.21833°S 22.55194°E |
  Molteno Pass Location of the Molteno Pass | |
Molteno Pass is a mountain pass in the Western Cape province of South Africa.
It is considered to be South Africa's first mountain pass. It was built to cross the great Nuweveld Mountain Range, thus connecting the central Karoo and its oldest town Beaufort West, to the vast expanse of the Northern Cape.[1]
It was completed in May 1881, and named after the first Prime Minister of the Cape, Sir JC Molteno, a businessman who had owned extensive lands in the area, was instrumental its development, and had represented Beaufort West in parliament.[2]
The pass forms part of the R381, between Beaufort West in the Western Cape and Loxton in the Northern Cape. On its route it passes the Karoo National Park and Victoria West.
References
- ↑ http://www.sa-venues.com/attractionswc/molteno-pass.htm
- ↑ Standard Encyclopaedia of South Africa. 1970. Pretoria: Nasou Ltd. Vol 7, p 497