Swellendam

Swellendam
From the top, Swellendam with the Clock Peaks (1710m) of the Langeberg in the background. Middle left, Dutch Reformed Church. Middle right, a historic Cape Georgian style home. Bottom left, Old Drostdy historic home and a good example of the Cape Dutch architectural style in the area. Bottom right, the restored historical village area of Swellendam.
Coat of arms of Swellendam
Swellendam is located in Western Cape
Swellendam
Swellendam
Swellendam is located in South Africa
Swellendam
Swellendam
Swellendam is located in Africa
Swellendam
Swellendam
Coordinates: 34°01′23″S 20°26′24″E / 34.02306°S 20.44000°E / -34.02306; 20.44000
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceWestern Cape
DistrictOverberg
MunicipalitySwellendam
Established1745[1]
Named forHendrik Swellengrebel and his wife, Helena Ten Damme
Area
 • Total
19.68 km2 (7.60 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[2]
 • Total
4,676
 • Density240/km2 (620/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
 • White69.31%
 • Coloured22.54%
 • Black African6.67%
 • Indian/Asian0.34%
 • Other1.13%
First languages (2011)
 • Afrikaans82.84%
 • English13.77%
 • Xhosa0.88%
 • Sotho0.31%
 • Other2.2%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)
6740
PO box
6740
Area code028

Swellendam (Afrikaans: ['swæːləndam]) is the third oldest town[3][4] in South Africa (after Cape Town and Stellenbosch), a town with 17,537 inhabitants situated in the Western Cape province. The town has over 50 provincial heritage sites, most of them buildings of Cape Dutch architecture. Swellendam is situated on the N2, approximately 220 km (140 miles) from both Cape Town and George.

  1. ^ Robson, Linda Gillian (2011). "Annexure A" (PDF). The Royal Engineers and settlement planning in the Cape Colony 1806–1872: Approach, methodology and impact (PhD thesis). University of Pretoria. pp. xlv–lii. hdl:2263/26503.
  2. ^ a b c d "Sub-Place Swellendam". Census 2011.
  3. ^ Floyd, TB (1960). "What are the Oldest Towns in South Africa?".
  4. ^ "What are the Oldest Towns in South Africa?". 2003.