Arid Innovation Region
As defined by the National Department of Rural Development and Land Reform
In the last two decades, the arid Karoo region has become understood as a site of economic and scientific innovation.
The National Department of Rural Development and Land Reform has outlined several innovation sectors in the Karoo: Renewable energy, astronomy, archaeology, mining, palaeontology, and agriculture.
The SALT (South African Large Telescope) project in Sutherland alongside the Square Kilometer Array in Carnarvon, has propelled the status of the Karoo as an astronomy destination.
The Wonderwerk Cave, north of Danielskuil, is a cutting-edge archaeological site, with the first known example of the human use of fire.
In this context, two additional sectors are being developed in the sphere of human and social development. Firstly, there is a growing focus on Karoo-wide tourism routes, based on niche heritage topics; and secondly, the UFS is promoting heritage digitisation through the Forgotten Highway Route initiative.