Namaqualand Towns: SPRINGBOK HOW TO GET THERE (GPS: 29 40S 17 53E) On the N7 about 570km north of Cape Town and 110km south of the Namibian border. HISTORY Copper was discovered on the farm Melkboschkuil in 1850 and the first commercial mine in South Africa was established. The mine was worked out by 1888. In 1862 the town was founded. It became a municipality in 1933. Main commercial centre of Namaqualand. ORIGINS OF THE NAME Originally named Springbokfontein. Shortened to Springbok in 1911. POPULATION 15,000 PLACES OF INTEREST Van der Stel Coppermine (1685) Boer war memorial and war graves Namaqualand Museum WHAT TO DO AND SEE Goegap Nature Reserve Wildflowers in season ACCOMMODATION See "Where to Stay" TOURISM OFFICE NEIGHBOURING TOWNS Steinkopf 42km Okiep 8km Nababeeb 21km Aggeneys 115km Kleinsee 93km Kamieskroon 74km