Cape mountains - a natural miracle of Africa

Africa is the oldest continent on our planet. No wonder it is called the cradle of civilization. The continent's age reaches 270 million years. But, despite this, Africa has managed to maintain harmony and unity with nature to this day.

The oldest mountains on the continent are the Cape Mountains. Africa is even younger than they are. After all, the mountains are 380 million years old! These mountain ranges were formed even before the continent was formed in the form in which it is familiar to us today.

Where are the Cape Mountains?

As already mentioned above, this is the oldest mountain system on the continent and the largest. Find the Cape mountains on the map of labor is not. It is worth paying attention to the southern part of the African continent. These mountain ranges are considered the territory of the Republic of South Africa and are located in the far south of the country.

The Cape mountains occupy a vast territory of the continent: from the mouth of the Olifantes River to the African city of Port Elizabeth, capturing the Ethiopian Highlands.

The Cape mountain system includes such parallel ridges as Langeberg, Matrusberg, Picketberg, Svartberg and others.

Highest point

The highest Cape mountain is the Kompassberg peak. It reaches 2504 meters above sea level. His discovery was made by Colonel Robert Jacob Gordon during his campaign, in which he accompanied the governor to the eastern borders of the Cape Colony. This mountain served as a kind of compass for the German colonel and his team and helped not to get lost during the journey through the intricate mountain system. Hence the name - Compassberg.

The second highest point of the Cape Mountains is the Matrusberg Ridge. Its height reaches 2,299 meters. On the territory of this mountain range there are numerous green meadows and pastures for cattle. There is a moderate Mediterranean climate, which makes it possible to engage in livestock without problems.

The Svartberg mountain range

This mountain range also makes up the Cape Mountains. It runs along the border of the Western Cape in South Africa.

In the people of Svartberg was called "Black Mountain". Since the terrain around the mountains is mostly wild and deserted. However, even here settled small settlements. About 200 people, no more. The narrow valley of "dead hell", as it is called local, is located in the heart of the mountains and serves to grow tobacco, grain, tea and even vegetables with fruits. Communication with the big world is supported on horses or cars. Svartberg is also famous for a pass with a similar name and an impressive desert Gret Kara.

Flora and fauna of mountains

Cape mountains have a very changeable climate. Since they occupy a significant area of the continent, they are distinguished by a rather great peculiarity of natural conditions. Some of the mountains are located off the coast of the ocean, some on desert lands, and some are covered with green meadows. And the climate here is subtropical and tropical with dry summers and cold winters.

In this unique climate, the most diverse and amazing plants grow. More than seven thousand shrubs, heather and other kinds of ancient plants adorn the Cape Mountains. Beautiful flowers of a variety of forms and species, colors and odors, as if specially created to seduce pollinators.

Here there are rare breeds of sugar birds. They fly only in the Cape mountains and nowhere else. The slopes are full of mice, which, attracted by the smell of flowers, also serve as pollinators.

The most beautiful and "smart" flower in the Cape mountains is the orchid of Dizay. She is not only the most beautiful, but also very cunning. While a butterfly or a bee is drinking nectar from its buds, it "glues" its pollen to the insect on the abdomen.

Rare animals that hide in the Cape are mountain gorillas. There were only 700 of them left all over the world. So to meet them is a huge luck.

Problems of mountains

The Cape Mountains are a unique combination of fertile soil, stable climate, rocky rock and isolated location. However, this beautiful place also has its own problems. They begin with the end of spring. During this period cold winds subside, the air in the mountains becomes extremely dry, creating excellent conditions for fires, which occur here quite often.

In summer fires are also not uncommon. They start from rockfalls, from lightning strikes, and from specially caused arsons.

It seems that the only trouble with fires is that this destructive force destroys everything around. However, fires sometimes do not only harm, but also benefit. Thanks to them clearing clearings, destroying old unnecessary and rotten shoots of plants, and the soil is filled with important and necessary for the mountains minerals and nutrients.

In addition, intense heat and hot smoke are beneficial for plants growing in the mountains. For example, contribute to the growth of orchids. During fires, thousands of seeds are carried to the wind, giving birth to new generations of plants.