Veldts of South Africa.


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Veldts of South Africa.

The Veldts: The temperature grasslands of South Africa are called the Veldts. Veldts are rolling plateaus with varying heights ranging from 600 m to 1100 m. it is bound by the Drakensburg Mountains on the east. To its west lies the Kalahari Desert. On the northeastern part. “High Veldts” are located that attain a height of more than 1600m, in some places. The tributaries of rivers Orange and Limpopo drain the region.

Climate: The Veldts have a mild climate due to the influence of the Indian Ocean. Winters are cold and dry. Temperatures vary between 5°C and 10°C and July is the coldest month. Summers are short and warm. Johannesburg records about 20°C temperature in the summer. The Veldts receive rainfall mainly in the summer months from November to February. This is mainly because of the warm ocean currents that wash the shores of the Veldts. If the rainfall is scanty in the winter months from June till August, drought may occur.  

Flora and fauna: The vegetation cover is sparse. Grasses dominate the landscape. Red grass grows in bush Velds. The animals of the Velds are primarily lions, leopards, cheetah and kudu.

 

  • There is little fertile land because grasses don't grow everywhere and the land is barren due to exposure to the sun. So no agriculture happens in most of the region and the main work is cattle rearing and mining.
  • In some fertile areas, crops such as maize, wheat, barley, oats, and potatoes, and cash crops such as tobacco, sugarcane, and cotton are grown.
  • Sheep rearing is the most important occupation. Sheep are mainly reared for wool, especially for the wool of the merino sheep which is very warm, and there is a well-developed wool industry in South Africa.
  • Dairy farming is the next important occupation, and cattle are reared in the wetter parts of the velds where butter, cheese, etc. are produced for local and international markets.
  • The area has rich deposits of minerals such as iron, coal, diamonds, gold, etc., and Johannesberg is known as the 'Gold Capital of the World'.
  • Kimberly is famous for its diamond mines, and its mineral-rich areas have an excellent system of transportation. The mining of gold and diamonds in South Africa led to the development of trade ties with Britain, but it then became a very poor British colony.
  • Sample Questions
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    Question : 1

    What do the Velds have a mild climate?

    Right Option : B
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    Explanation
    Question : 2

    The vegetation cover is ______ in the Velds .

    Right Option : C
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    Explanation
    Question : 3

    Which of the following crops are found in Velds?

    Right Option : A
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    Explanation
     
     
     
     


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