Soutpansberg

Soutpansberg
The western extremity of the Soutpansberg
– as seen from Vivo, 10 km from the salt pan
Highest point
PeakLajuma
Elevation1,747 m (5,732 ft)
ListingMountain ranges of South Africa
Coordinates23°0′0″S 29°52′0″E / 23.00000°S 29.86667°E / -23.00000; 29.86667
Dimensions
Length170 km (110 mi) E/W
Width50 km (31 mi) N/S
Naming
Native nameTha vhani ya muno (Venda)
Geography
Soutpansberg is located in South Africa
Soutpansberg
Soutpansberg
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceLimpopo
Geology
OrogenyKaapvaal craton
Rock ageNeoarchean to early Paleoproterozoic
Rock type(s)Bushveld igneous complex, sandstone

The Soutpansberg (formerly Zoutpansberg), meaning "Salt Pan Mountain" in Afrikaans, is a range of mountains in far northern South Africa. It is located in Vhembe District, Limpopo. It is named for the salt pan (Venda: Thavha ya muno, or "place of salt")[1] located at its western end. The mountain range reaches the opposite extremity[2] in the Matikwa Nature Reserve, some 107 kilometres (66 mi) due east. The range as a whole had no Venda name, as it was instead known by its sub-ranges which include Dzanani, Songozwi and others.[3]

The Soutpansberg forms part of the 'Vhembe Biosphere Reserve', which was designated as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 2009.[4] The latter reserve also includes the Blouberg Range, Kruger National Park and the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape.[5]

  1. ^ Located at 22°58′S 29°20′E / 22.967°S 29.333°E / -22.967; 29.333 (Salt Pan, Soutpansberg)
  2. ^ Located at 22°58′S 30°20′E / 22.967°S 30.333°E / -22.967; 30.333 (Matikwa Nature Reserve, Soutpansberg)
  3. ^ Sacred Traditions and Biodiversity Conservation in the Forest Montane Region of Venda, South Africa. Clark University. 2008. p. 41. ISBN 9780549518686.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. ^ "Vhembe Region named UNESCO's Biosphere Reserve". Archived from the original on 2017-06-20. Retrieved 2012-04-05.
  5. ^ UNESCO - Biosphere Reserve Information. Accessed 31 July 2023.

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