Mpumalanga
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2008-07-14T11:28:10Z
Samuella99
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{{dablink|"Eastern Transvaal" redirects here. For the rugby team formerly known as "Eastern Transvaal", see [[Falcons (rugby team)]]. For the team formerly called "South Eastern Transvaal" representing Mpumalanga, see [[Pumas (rugby team)]].}}
{{Mpumalanga infobox}}
'''Mpumalanga''', ({{pronEng|umˈpuːməlɑŋɡə}} {{audio|Mpumalanga.ogg|Audio}} – [[Geographical renaming|name changed]] from '''Eastern Transvaal''' on [[24 August]] [[1995]]), is a [[Provinces of South Africa|province of]] [[South Africa]]. The name means east or literally "''the place where the sun rises''" in [[Nguni languages|Swazi, isiXhosa, isiZulu]]. Mpumalanga lies in eastern South Africa, north of [[KwaZulu-Natal]] and bordering [[Swaziland]] and [[Mozambique]]. It constitutes 6.5% of South Africa's land area. In the north it borders on [[Limpopo]], to the west [[Gauteng]], to the southwest the [[Free State province|Free State]] and to the south [[KwaZulu-Natal]]. The capital is [[Nelspruit]]. Prior to [[1994]], Mpumalanga was part of [[Transvaal]] Province.
==Geography==
The [[Drakensberg]] Escarpment divides Mpumalanga into a westerly half consisting mainly of high-altitude [[grassland]] called the [[Highveld]] and an eastern half situated in low altitude subtropical [[Lowveld]]/[[Bushveld]], mostly comprised of [[savanna]] habitat. The southern half of the [[Kruger National Park]] is situated in the latter region. The [[Drakensberg]] exceeds heights of 2000m in most places with this central region of Mpumalanga being very mountainous. These regions have alpine grasslands and small pockets of [[Knysna-Amatole montane forests|Afromontane Forest]]. The [[Lowveld]] is relatively flat with interspersed rocky outcrops. The [[Lebombo Mountains]] form a low range in the far east forming the border with [[Mozambique]].
Some of the oldest rocks on earth are to be found in the [[Barberton]] area and these ancient [[greenstones]] and [[metamorphosed]] [[granites]] form the Crocodile River Mountains in the south-east of the province. The [[Lowveld]] is underlaid by [[African Craton|African Cratonic Basement]] rocks of ages in excess of 2 billion years. The [[Highveld]] is mostly [[Karoo Sequence]] [[sedimentary rocks]] of a younger, [[Carboniferous]] to [[Permian]] age.
*[[Gaza Province|Gaza Province, Mozambique]] - northeast
*[[Maputo Province|Maputo Province, Mozambique]] - east
*[[Lubombo|Lubombo District, Swaziland]] - east, southwest of Maputo Province
*[[Hhohho|Hhohho District, Swaziland]] - east, northwest of Lubombo
*[[Manzini District|Manzini District, Swaziland]] - east, south of Hhohho
*[[Shiselweni|Shiselweni District, Swaziland]] - southeast, south of Manzini
Mpumalanga is the only province of South Africa to border two [[provinces of Mozambique|provinces]] of [[Mozambique]] or to border all four [[districts of Swaziland|districts]] of [[Swaziland]].
==Climate==
The [[Lowveld]] is [[subtropical]], due to its proximity to the warm [[Indian Ocean]] and latitude. The [[Highveld]] is comparatively much cooler, due to its altitude of 2300m to 1700m above sea level. The [[Drakensberg]] [[Escarpment]] receives the most [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]], with all other areas being moderately well-watered by mostly summer [[thunderstorms]]. The [[Highveld]] often experiences severe frost, whilst the [[Lowveld]] is mostly frost-free. Winter rainfall is rare, except for some drizzle on the [[escarpment]]. The differences in climate are demonstrated below by the capital, [[Nelspruit]], which is in the [[Lowveld]], located just an hour from [[Belfast, Mpumalanga|Belfast]] on the [[Highveld]].
* [[Nelspruit]] averages: January maximum: 29°C (min: 19°C), July maximum: 23°C (min: 6°C), annual precipitation: 767mm
* [[Belfast, Mpumalanga|Belfast]] averages: January maximum: 23°C (min: 12°C), June maximum: 15°C (min: 1°C), annual precipitation: 878mm
==Fauna and flora==
The diverse and special flora and fauna of the province enjoys protection in a range of nature reserves, including:
* [[Blyderivierspoort Nature Reserve]]
* [[Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park]], previously known as Gaza-Kruger-Gonarezhou Transfrontier Park. This international game park brings together some of the best and most established wildlife areas in southern Africa. The park is managed as an integrated unit across an unprecedented three international boundaries which includes the [[Kruger National Park]] ([[South Africa]]), [[Limpopo National Park]] ([[Mozambique]]) and [[Gonarezhou National Park]] ([[Zimbabwe]]).
* [[Sabi-Sand Game Reserve]], which is built up of numerous private reserves: [[Idube Safari Lodge]], Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge, Djuma Game Reserve, Exeter Game Lodge, Inyati Private Game Reserve, Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve, Lion Sands Private Game Reserve, Londolozi Game Reserve, [[Mala Mala|Mala Mala Game Reserve]], Savanna Private Game Reserve and Ulusaba Game Lodge.
[[Image:Flag of Mpumalanga Province.svg|180px|thumb|right|Flag of Mpumalanga]]
==Law and government==
{{main|Politics of Mpumalanga}}
The Mpumalanga Province's legislation is an amalgam of national and regional legislation promulgated prior to the establishment of the Province on 27 April 1994, and legislation which it has itself promulgated since it came into existence. Lists of and the original texts of this legislation are available through various South African governmental websites, and amended and updated versions of the legislation is available through commercial vendors on subscription and at a price. See [[Mpumalanga Province#External links|External links]] for more information.
==Subdivisions==
[[Image:ZA Mpumalanga language.gif|thumb|220px|Map showing predominant [[Languages of South Africa|home languages]] in the province.]]
Mpumalanga Province is divided into three municipal districts, which are further subdivided into 17 local municipalities:
*'''[[Gert Sibande District Municipality]] (DC30)'''
**[[Albert Luthuli Local Municipality]] (MP301)
**[[Msukaligwa Local Municipality]] (MP302)
**[[Mkhondo Local Municipality]] (MP303)
**[[Pixley Ka Seme Local Municipality]] (MP304)
**[[Lekwa Local Municipality]] (MP305)
**[[Dipaleseng Local Municipality]] (MP306)
**[[Govan Mbeki Local Municipality]] (MP307)
*'''[[Nkangala District Municipality]] (DC31)'''
**[[Delmas Local Municipality]] (MP311)
**[[Emalahleni Local Municipality]] (MP312)
**[[Steve Tshwete Local Municipality]] (MP313)
**[[Highlands Local Municipality]] (MP314)
**[[Thembisile Local Municipality]] (MP315)
**[[Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality]] (MP316)
*'''[[Ehlanzeni District Municipality]] (DC32)'''
**[[Thaba Chweu Local Municipality]] (MP321)
**[[Mbombela Local Municipality]] (MP322)
**[[Umjindi Local Municipality]] (MP323)
**[[Nkomazi Local Municipality]] (MP324)
**[[Bushbuckridge Local Municipality]] (MP325)
==Economy==
===Agriculture===
The climatic contrasts between the drier Highveld region, with its cold winters, and the hot, humid Lowveld allow for a variety of agricultural activities. More than 68% of Mpumalanga is utilised by agriculture. Crops include [[maize]], [[wheat]],[[sorghum]], [[barley]], [[sunflower|sunflower seed]], [[soybean]]s, groundnuts, [[sugar|sugar cane]], [[vegetables]], [[coffee]], [[tea]], [[cotton]], [[tobacco]], [[citrus]], subtropical and deciduous [[fruit]].
[[Forestry]] is extensive around [[Sabie]] in the far north of the province. Located near the forests, [[Ngodwana]] is the site of one of South Africa's largest [[paper mill]]s (Sappi).<ref>[http://www.mpuleg.gov.za/about/historymain.html Mpumalanga in brief: The economy of the province] (URL accessed April 30, 2006) </ref>
Natural grazing covers approximately 14% of Mpumalanga. The main products are [[beef]], [[mutton]], [[wool]], [[poultry]] and [[dairy]].
===Mining===
Extensive mining is done and the minerals found include: [[Gold]], [[Platinum]] group metals, [[Silica]], [[Chromite]], Vanadiferous [[Magnetite]], Argentiferous [[Zinc]], [[Antimony]], [[Cobalt]], [[Copper]], [[Iron]], [[Manganese]], [[Tin]], [[Coal]], [[Andalusite]], Chrysotile [[Asbestos]], [[Kieselguhr]], [[Limestone]], [[Magnesite]], [[Talc]] and [[Shale]].
Gold was first discovered in Mpumalanga province in 1883 by Auguste Roberts in the mountains surrounding what is now Barberton. Gold is still mined in the Barberton area today. <ref>[http://www.exploresouthafrica.net/mpumalanga/attractions/lowveldtowns.htm "Barberton"], Mpumalanga South Africa, ExploreSouthAfrica.net. (URL accessed April 30, 2006)</ref>
Mpumalanga accounts for 83% of South Africa's coal production. 90% of South Africa's coal consumption is used for electricity generation and the synthetic fuel industry. Coal [[power station]]s are in proximity to the coal deposits. The mining company [[Sasol]], a coal liquification plant in [[Secunda]] is the site of one of the country's two [[petroleum]]-from-coal extraction plants, which is operated by the mining company [[Sasol]]. <ref>[http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/safrica.html#coal "Coal"], ''South Africa Country Analysis Brief'', Energy Information Administration. (URL accessed April 30, 2006)</ref>
===Tourism===
Mpumalanga is also a popular tourism destination. [[Kruger National Park]], established in 1898 for the protection of Lowveld wildlife, covering 20,000 square kilometres (7,800 square miles), is a popular destination.<ref>[http://www.sa-venues.com/attractionsmpl/mpumalanga_kruger.htm "Kruger National Park"], South Africa Explored.</ref> The ancient [[Sudwala Caves]] are also a major tourist attraction.<ref>[http://home.intekom.com/ecotravel/Guides/Reserves/KNP/Kruger_National_Park_Sudwala_Caves.htm Sudwala Caves - Mpumalanga - South Africa], EcoTravel.</ref>
The various towns in the region have much to offer, like the African Silk farm near Graskop, The coffee farm nearby. Many activities including The big jump, mountain and quad biking, horse trails, river rafting and big game viewing are endemic to the region. This is Big 5 territory. The towns in the Lowveld, comprise of Barberton, Nelspruit, White River, Sabie, Graskop. Hazyview, Malelane and Nkomazi. <ref>[http://mpumalanganet.co.za Mpumalanga news]</ref>
==Major cities and towns==
See [[List of cities and towns in Mpumalanga]]
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
* [http://www.mpumalanga.gov.za/ Mpumalanga Provincial Government homepage]
* [http://www.mpumalanga.com/ Mpumalanga Tourism Authority]
* [http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/za-mp.html Flags of the World: Mpumalanga provincial flag and heraldry]
* [http://www.legalb.co.za/SAPROV/MP/MP-List-Date-1994on-TAGGED.htm List and text of Mpumalanga legislation from 1994 onwards]
* [http://www.mpumalanganet.co.za/ Mpumalanga News website]
* [http://www.dcsr.co.za/ Mpumalanga Provincial Government Departmet of Sports Culture and Recreation homepage]
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