TEMPERATE GRASSLANDS IN THE WORLD

STEPPES

PRAIRIES

PAMPAS

VELD

VELD

Location Climate

Natural vegetation

Wildlife

Occupation

Industry

Transport

The Velds are the temperate grasslands found in South Africa . The country lies at the southern tip of Africa . It is bordered on the North – East by Swaziland and Mozambique , on the North by Botswana and Zimbabwe and in the North – West by Namibia . To the West and South is the Atlantic Ocean and to the east is the Indian Ocean

LOCATION OF VELD

VELD GRASSLAND

Much of the interior of southern Africa consists of a plateau, the higher portions (1500 m - 2100 m) are known as the Highveld.This is above the Lowveld.

The lower regions of the central plateau which is below the

Highveld is known as the  Lowveld.

HIGHVELD

LOWVELD

CLIMATE OF VELD

South Africa lies in the warm temperate zone of the Southern Hemisphere . This region experiences a mild climate . This is due to the altitude of the plateau, the presence of oceans on three sides and the cold Benguela current which flows along the west coast . In the High Veld, the summers are warm and wet and the day temperature reaches upto 22  °C . Most of the rainfall occurs during the summer and it decreases from south to north and also from east to west . The winters are cold and dry and the temperatures vary from 5  °C and 10  °C . July is the coldest month. Rainfall is scanty and droughts can occur during June ,July and August.

CLIMATE – VELD FIRE

Veld fires are common in South

Africa .They frequently cause emergencies, and

often grow to disastrous

proportions. They occur naturally by

lightning

NATURAL VEGITATION OF VELD

There are limited forests in this region due to semi – arid climatic conditions . A major part of the Plateau is covered with grass . Red grass grows in bush Veld. Acacia and mural grows in the high Veld.

The bush lands and the grasslands in the High Veld have one major handicap – the elevation of the grazing lands is between 1000 m and 2000 m, this results in frost for a period of about 100 days in a year.

THE MAIN ANIMALS FOUND IN THE VELD ARE -

WILD LIFE OF VELD

LIONLEAPORD

CHEETAH

KUDU

Occupation of people in veld

The high Veld has both tall and short grasses and bushes. Trees are only found on the higher altitudes and along the banks of rivers. The soil is not fertile. Thus the veld is more suitable for cattle rearing than for the cultivation of plants.

The grasslands have ideal conditions for cattle and sheep rearing. Cattle are reared in the warmer and wetter eastern part. They are reared for milk and meat. Creameries make butter and cheese for domestic needs as well as for export.

OCCUPATION

THE CULTIVATED CROPS ARE MAIZE, WHEAT, BARLEAY,OATS,TOBACCO,SUGARCANE,COTTON AND POTATOES.

FROZEN MEAT AND BEEF ARE MAINLY EXPORTED TON THE COUNTRIES OF SOUTHERN EUROPE.

SHEEP REARING IS THE MAIN OCCUPATION IN THE VELD. SHEEP ARE REARED FOR THE PRODUCTION OF WOOL. THE SHEEP ARE OF FINE QUALITY AND CONSIST MAINLY OF THE MERINO BREED. THE ANGORA GOATS YIELD MOHAIR AND LEATHER.

VELD IS RICH IN MINERALS. SO MINING WAS ALSO AN OCCUPATION OF THE PEOPLE IN VELD.

The Veld is rich in minerals. Gold is found in the Witwatersrand. The mining of gold and diamonds have attracted the Europeans to South Africa. The discovery of iron and steel industry. Johannesburg the gold capital of the world, is an important industrial and commercial centre. Kimberley is famous for diamonds.

INDUSTRIES IN VELD

THE ENDPRANAVRITHI

KTHEJUS

SAI SANKET

DONE BY