Ceres (C15)

Name: Ceres
Principal town of magisterial district and division of Ceres, 79 miles (127km) by road north-east of Cape Town, 33° 22' 19° 18' E.; altitude 1,481 ft (451.4metres); inches (1,041 mm). It lies on a branch railway from Wolseley (10 miles, 16 km) to Prince Alfred! (6 miles, 9.6 km). Population (1960): Coloured 3,501; Bantu 401.
Ceres was established in 1854 on a part of the belonging to Jan Frederik Munnik, the Senator G. G. Munnik, and was named _ Roman goddess of agriculture, on account of the fertility of the soil. It became a municipality in Situated in the Warm Bokkeveld on the River with its well-wooded banks and surrounded by the Witsenberg, Skurweberg and Hex Ranges and the Gydo Mountain, it is one of the most attractive towns in South Africa. It can be reached only through the Michell's, Theronsberg and Gydo Passes. The mountains are frequently snow-capped in winter, and hence Ceres is sometimes referred as 'the Switzerland of South Africa'. It is a popular holiday resort, with a camping site and rondavels at the pleasant open-air swimming-bath. In winter the snow-covered slopes of the Matroosberg (7, 381 ft, 2,250 metres) attract skiing enthusiasts from far and near. The town is the centre of an important of agricultural and fruit-growing district. It has factories for dried fruit, canned fruit and fruit juices, and a large co-operative cold storage. Water for domestic use is brought from the Witsenberg. Electricity is s by hydro-electric generators, supplemented t power during the summer months.
http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/places/places.htm

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Date: 13 October 2008

The traditional southern entrance to the Karoo was from Ceres through Karoo Poort.

Historic fact:

Ceres Road was located at the entrance to Mitchell's Pass, and adjoined the village of Wolseley. Both were established after the railway line from Cape Town and Tulbagh Road reached Ceres Road on 3 November 1875.


Other interesting info:

Where to stay:

Ceres is situated 150 km north east of Cape Town, snugly wedged at the foot of the Skurweberg Mountains. The valley can be reached through Michell's Pass (from Cape Town), Theronsberg Pass (from Touwsriver via "Warm Bokkeveld") and Gydo Pass (from Citrusdal via "Koue Bokkeveld").

More: http://www.ceres.org.za/location.html