Limpopo

Location Name

Limpopo

Description

Location: Province in northeastern South Africa, the northernmost province.

Motto: Peace, Unity and Prosperity.

Capital: Polokwane (the only major city).

Municipalities: Limpopo has no metropolitan municipalities. Five district municipalities, which are further subdivided into 22 local municipalities.

Principal languages: Sepedi 56%, Tshivenda 17%, Xitsonga 17%.

Population: 5 941 439.

Surface area: 125 755 km2.

Environment: On the Lowveld plain, contain several mountain ranges, indigenous forests and some farmland. Bordered in the north and west by the Limpopo River (1,750 km/1,090 miles long), the largest river in South Africa and second-largest in Africa.

Economy: Mining. As a developing area, Limpopo exports primary products and imports manufactured goods and services. The climate allows double harvesting seasons; thus the province is South Africa’s largest producer of various crops, including tea and coffee. Some subsistence farming, and a large percentage of migrant labourers.

Notable features/Interesting information: Contains more than 50 provincial reserves. Includes the Mapungubwe National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the largest section of the Kruger National Park.

Previous name: Comprises of three former homelands, Lebowa, Gazankulu, and Venda; and part of the former Transvaal Province. First called Northern Transvaal, then Northern Province; and in 2002 officially renamed after the Limpopo River. Apparently, the name ‘Limpopo’ derives from Rivombo (Livombo/Lebombo), after a Tsonga leader Hosi Rivombo. The river is called Vhembe by the local Venda communities.

Official website: https://www.limpopo.gov.za/.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limpopo

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limpopo_River

https://municipalities.co.za/provinces/view/5/limpopo

https://www.britannica.com/place/Limpopo

https://www.golimpopo.com/

https://www.gov.za/about-sa/south-africas-provinces

Administrative Level

Province

Province

Limpopo