Caledon, Western Cape

Caledon
Caledon Location in the Western Cape
Caledon
Coordinates: 34°13′48″S 19°25′42″E
Country	South Africa
Province	Western Cape
District	Overberg
Municipality	Theewaterskloof
Area
• Total	40.96 km2 (15.81 sq mi)
Population (2001)
• Total	4,661
• Density	114/km2 (300/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2001)
• Black African	2.4%
• Coloured	92%
• Indian/Asian	0.1%
• White	5.5%
First languages (2001)
• Afrikaans	92.6%
• English	6.5%
• Other	0.9%
Time zone	SAST (UTC+2)
Postal code	7230
Area code	028

Caledon is a town in the Overberg region in the Western Cape province of South Africa, located about 100 kilometres (62 mi) east of Cape Town. As of 2001 it had a population of 10,650. It is located in, and the seat of, the Theewaterskloof Local Municipality.

Caledon is situated on the N2 national route, 113 kilometres (70 mi) by road from central Cape Town. At Caledon the N2 is met by the R316 from Arniston and Bredasdorp, and the R320 from Hermanus. It is also located on the Overberg branch railway line, 141 kilometres (88 mi) by rail from Cape Town station.

The Caledon district is primarily an agricultural region. Most agricultural activities involve grain production with a certain amount of stock farming. The town is locally well known for the Caledon Spa and Casino and for its rolling hills and yellow canola fields in spring.

The town has a Mediterranean climate of warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Temperatures are modified by its close proximity to the South Atlantic Ocean, just over the Kleinriviers Mountains to the south.

The writer Peter Dreyer was born in Caledon at the Caledon Baths Hotel in 1939.

Rhodesian government minister P. K. van der Byl retired to Caledon and subsequently died there, in Fairfield.

Attractions

The Caledon Casino, Hotel and Spa