The Mont-Aux-Sources is part of a basalt plateau which lies at an average elevation of about 3,050 meters (10 000 ft). Among the many escarpments that surround the plateau is a sheer wall of 330 vertical meters, known as the Amphitheatre and the Sentinel.[1] The highest point is a peak 3 km from the Drakensberg escarpment, attaining an altitude of 3,282 metres (10,768 ft).
Hydrographyedit
Since important rivers have their sources in the range, the mountainous area was named mont aux Sources (‘fountains mountain’) by French missionaries who visited the region in 1836.
Several rivers originate in the Mont-Aux-Sources, foremost of which is the Tugela, which flows eastwards into the Indian Ocean on the KwaZulu-Natal coast. Some 7 km from the Mont-Aux-Sources, the Tugela plunges 947 m in a series of falls in the Royal Natal National Park. This is the second-highest series of falls in the world.[2]
The Caledon River, one of the main tributaries of the Orange River, has its sources in this massif and flows along the border with Lesotho. Also the Seati (Khubedu), one of the headwater streams of the Orange River, has its origin near Mont-aux-Sources further to the north.[3]
Another important river is the Elands, named the Namahadi in its uppermost section in the area of the Fika-Patso Dam. The Elands flows roughly northwards into the Wilge River, one of the major tributaries of the Vaal.[4] The Vaal River flows westwards eventually into the Orange River, which in turn flows into the Atlantic Ocean on the West coast of Southern Africa.
mont, sources, mont, sources, mountain, southern, africa, forming, highest, portions, drakensberg, range, mostly, within, lesotho, with, parts, kwazulu, natal, free, state, provinces, south, africa, taken, from, crows, nest, peak, showing, source, tugela, righ. Mont aux Sources is a mountain in Southern Africa forming one of the highest portions of the Drakensberg Range It is mostly within Lesotho with parts in the KwaZulu Natal and Free State provinces of South Africa Mont Aux SourcesMont Aux Sources taken from Crows Nest peak showing the source of the Tugela at rightHighest pointElevation3 282 m 10 768 ft ListingList of mountains in South AfricaCoordinates28 46 21 07 S 28 52 21 72 E 28 7725194 S 28 8727000 E 28 7725194 28 8727000GeographyMont Aux SourcesLocation of Mafadi in South Africa on border with Lesotho LocationSouth Africa and LesothoParent rangeDrakensberg The peak is accessible from the Sentinel Car Park near Witsieshoek via chain ladders Contents 1 Description 2 Hydrography 3 See also 4 ReferencesDescription editThe Mont Aux Sources is part of a basalt plateau which lies at an average elevation of about 3 050 meters 10 000 ft Among the many escarpments that surround the plateau is a sheer wall of 330 vertical meters known as the Amphitheatre and the Sentinel 1 The highest point is a peak 3 km from the Drakensberg escarpment attaining an altitude of 3 282 metres 10 768 ft Hydrography editSince important rivers have their sources in the range the mountainous area was named mont aux Sources fountains mountain by French missionaries who visited the region in 1836 Several rivers originate in the Mont Aux Sources foremost of which is the Tugela which flows eastwards into the Indian Ocean on the KwaZulu Natal coast Some 7 km from the Mont Aux Sources the Tugela plunges 947 m in a series of falls in the Royal Natal National Park This is the second highest series of falls in the world 2 The Caledon River one of the main tributaries of the Orange River has its sources in this massif and flows along the border with Lesotho Also the Seati Khubedu one of the headwater streams of the Orange River has its origin near Mont aux Sources further to the north 3 Another important river is the Elands named the Namahadi in its uppermost section in the area of the Fika Patso Dam The Elands flows roughly northwards into the Wilge River one of the major tributaries of the Vaal 4 The Vaal River flows westwards eventually into the Orange River which in turn flows into the Atlantic Ocean on the West coast of Southern Africa See also editDrakensberg List of mountains in South Africa List of mountain ranges of South Africa Royal Natal National ParkReferences edit Mont Aux Sources Britannica Retrieved 19 May 2013 Royal Natal National Park Drakensberg KwaZulu Natal South Africa Retrieved 19 May 2013 Orange River Britannica Retrieved 19 May 2013 Upper Vaal WMA 8 Retrieved 19 May 2013 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mont Aux Sources amp oldid 1084882749, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
