Belfast, Mpumalanga

Belfast
Belfast Location in Mpumalanga
Belfast
Coordinates: 25°41′S 30°1′E
Country	South Africa
Province	Mpumalanga
District	Nkangala
Municipality	Emakhazeni
Area
• Total	67.63 km2 (26.11 sq mi)
Population (2001)
• Total	2,425
• Density	36/km2 (90/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2001)
• Black African	39.7%
• Coloured	3.5%
• Indian/Asian	1.1%
• White	55.7%
First languages (2001)
• Afrikaans	57.0%
• Zulu	13.5%
• Swazi	7.6%
• Southern Ndebele	5.3%
• Other	16.6%
Time zone	SAST (UTC+2)
Postal code	1100

Belfast, now also known as eMakhazeni, is a small town in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa (not to be confused with Belfast in Limpopo, South Africa.

The town is renowned for its excellent trout fishing conditions. Sheep and dairy farming take place here as well as maize, potatoes and timber are produced. Coal and a black granite are mined around Belfast. Around 6 million tulip bulbs are produced here annually for export; the flowers are discarded. Belfast is 2,025m above sea level and one of the coldest and highest towns in South Africa.

It was named after Richard O'Neill from Belfast, modern Northern Ireland who owned the farm on which the town was built.

History

Anglo-Boer War

During the Anglo-Boer War several battles and skirmishes took place in and around the town. The Battle of Leliefontein took place 30 km south of here at the Komati river, an engagement for which several Victoria Crosses were awarded to Canadian soldiers. The British built a concentration camp here during the Boer War to house Boer women and children. Several Victoria Crosses were awarded for action at Monument Hill which is on the edge of the town.

Name change

In October 2009 the town of Belfast was officially renamed to eMakhazeni when Arts and Culture Minister, Lulu Xingwana, approved the name change of over 42 locations across northern South Africa, with major other towns affected including Nelspruit (now Mbombela) and Waterval Boven (now Emgwenya).

Geography

Climate

Belfast has a subtropical highland climate (Cwb, according to the Köppen climate classification), with mild summers and chilly, dry winters. The average annual precipitation is 674 mm (27 in), with most rainfall occurring mainly during summer.

Belfast
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     128   23 12     95   22 12     75   21 11     38   19 8     7   17 4     0   15 1     0   15 1     3   18 3     21   20 7     65   21 9     119   22 10     123   22 12 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation totals in mm Source: SA Explorer
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     5   73 54     3.7   72 54     3   70 52     1.5   66 46     0.3   63 39     0   59 34     0   59 34     0.1   64 37     0.8   68 45     2.6   70 48     4.7   72 50     4.8   72 54 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation totals in inches

See also

• Battle of Leliefontein
• Battle of Bergendal

External links

• Belfast, Mpumalanga
• Belfast Information