Harts River

Harts River
Hartsrivier
Harts River on a map of 1887
Harts River is located in South Africa
Harts River
Location of the Harts River mouth
EtymologyTranslated into Afrikaans from its Khoekhoe name ǂGaoblgarib, meaning 'heart river'; possibly named after a chief or a tribal group[1]
Native nameǂGaoblgarib (Khoekhoe)
Location
CountrySouth Africa
RegionNorth West Province, Northern Cape
Physical characteristics
SourceWitwatersrand
 • locationNear Lichtenburg
 • elevation1,520 m (4,990 ft)
MouthVaal River
 • location
Delportshoop
 • coordinates
28°24′4″S 24°16′38″E / 28.40111°S 24.27722°E / -28.40111; 24.27722
 • elevation
1,017 m (3,337 ft)
Length320 km (200 mi)

The Harts River (Afrikaans: Hartsrivier) is a northern tributary of the Vaal River, which in turn is the largest tributary of the Orange River (also known as the Gariep River, the largest river in South Africa). Its source is in the North West Province, but the greater part of its basin is located in the Northern Cape Province, which it enters a few kilometers downstream from the Taung Dam.[2]

The Harts forms a natural boundary for the Ghaap Plateau, located between the Harts River and the Kuruman Hills.