Graaf-Reinet

Graaf-Reinet, a town of Cape Colony, nearly girdled by the Sunday River, 185 miles N. of Port Elizabeth by rail. Founded in 1784, it still preserves the quaint and simple characteristics of the old Dutch town; and with its vineyards, orchards, and gardens, in contrast to the burning karroo plains that encircle it, it has been well called 'the gem of the desert.' The streets are wide, with rows of oak, orange, and other trees, and broad channels of running water; the houses white, with overhanging thatches and broad 'stoeps.' Behind it the Sneeuwberg Mountains rise to a height of 1000 to 1500 feet. Pop. 6000.—The division of the same name has an area of 3792 sq. m., and a population of about 17,000.