MP0007

Did You Know?

Huisrivierpas is a mountain pass in the Western Cape province of South Africa, connecting the towns of Calitzdorp and Ladysmith. The pass is approximately 13.4 kilometers long and was constructed in 1897. It was built to provide a more direct route between the Little Karoo and the interior, facilitating transport and trade in the region. The pass traverses the Huisrivier (House River) valley, which is part of the Swartberg mountain range. The construction of such passes in the late 19th century was often carried out using manual labor, including convict labor, and was crucial for the economic development of the area, particularly for the ostrich feather and wool industries that thrived in the Little Karoo at the time.

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