A colony in South Africa, originally founded by the Dutch, in 1652. Since
1806 controlled by Great Britain. Climate generally dry and salubrious. At
Cape of Good Hope, mean annual temperature is placed at about 62deg.
Average rainfall per year, 24 inches. Total area of Cape Colony, 229,815
square miles. Estimated population, 1,027,168. Capital, Cape Town; pop.,
33,239.
The government is administered by a Governor, an Executive and a
Legislative Council and House of Assembly. Colonists are employed in
agricultural and pastoral pursuits. Ostrich breeding is successfully
carried on. Sheep farms often comprise from 8,000 to 15,000 acres and
upward. Total cultivated area in 1875, 580,000 acres. Vines occupied 18,000
acres, yielding 4,484,665 gallons of wine. The colony had, in 1875,
1,111,713 head of cattle, 10,976,663 sheep, and 3,065,202 goats. The
principal exports from the colony in 1883 were: wool, valued at $8,015,700;
ostrich feathers, $4,656,900; grease wool, $1,948,025; hides and skins,
$2,180,250; copper ore, $2,270,565; Angora hair, $1,359,020; diamonds,
$13,712,350. Total exports in 1883 valued at $22,044,490; total imports,
$32,351,955.
Vast majority of the population members of Dutch Reformed church, the
Episcopalian ranking next in number. Cape Colony has 1 university and 5
colleges; education not compulsory; 71 per cent. of children who have
attained school age are in school.
Army in 1883 consisted of 1,614 officers and men. By a law of 1878, every
able-bodied colonist between 18 and 50 years is liable to military service
beyond, as well as within, colonial limits. In 1884 the total length of
government railway was 1,213 miles; telegraph, 4,031 miles.