Beaufort West (Afrikaans: Beaufort-Wes) is a town in the Western Cape province in South Africa. It is the largest town in the arid Great Karoo region, and is known as the "Capital of the Karoo". It forms part of the Beaufort West Local Municipality, with 25 000 inhabitants in 2001.
It is the centre of an agricultural district based mainly on sheep farming, and is a significant town on the N1 national road.
Next door to Beaufort West is the Karoo National Park. Important fossils have been found in the area, initially by David Baird, son of the local magistrate in 1827.
As part of a drive to create employment opportunities, a hydroponics project was started and now supplies premium herbs and vegetables nationally.
The old Town Hall and the Dutch Reformed Church have been declared national monuments.
Read more about Beaufort West: History, Famous Residents
Famous quotes containing the word west:
“In their sympathies, children feel nearer animals than adults. They frolic with animals, caress them, share with them feelings neither has words for. Have they ever stroked any adult with the love they bestow on a cat? Hugged any grownup with the ecstasy they feel when clasping a puppy?”
—Jessamyn West (1907–1984)