Capital of the Northern Cape Province, Kimberley is best known
for its Big Hole, a legacy from the diamond rush in the area in
1871. Kimberley began as a town named New Rush, which formed around
the hill where an 83.50 carat (16.7g) diamond was found. As miners
arrived in their thousands, the hill gradually disappeared and
became known as the Kimberley Mine or 'Big Hole'. The Big Hole
reached a depth of 787ft (240m) and yielded three tons (2,722kg) of
diamonds until its closure in 1914.
The growing metropolis became the first city in the southern
hemisphere to install electric street lighting and was home to the
country's first stock exchange and flying school. Kimberley's
prosperity has continued into the 21st century and although it is
no longer considered a major South African city, it is thriving and
the rich history makes it an interesting travel destination.
Evidence of the city's historical opulence and characteristic
Victorian architecture can be seen in the historical suburb of
Belgravia, and it also offers visitors some museums as well as one
of South Africa's most important art galleries. Kimberley's biggest
attraction is still the Big Hole, however, and visitors can visit
the informative museum, which recounts the tale of the diamond rush
and offers an insight into the lives of those who lived and worked
in the area.
Kimberley's climate is typical of semi-desert areas. Summers
(December to February) are hot, and winters (June to August) are
mild, but with cold nights. January is the hottest month, with
temperatures averaging 91°F to 97°F (33°C to 36°C), while winter
temperatures average 64ºF (18ºC). Annual rainfall is unreliable and
occurs mainly during the hot summer months in the form of
thunderstorms.
Kimberley is not a major tourist destination but visitors in the
region would do well to stop over in this unique city for a day or
two.