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Drakensberg (Maluti) uKhahlamba Mountain Range Name origin: Dragon's mountain Countries South Africa, Lesotho Landmark Tugela Falls Rivers Tugela River, Orange River, Vaal River, Caledon River Highest point Thabana Ntlenyana Lowest point - elevation 1,294 m (4,245 ft) Length 1,000 km (621 mi), SW to NE Geology Basalt, Sandstone The Drakensberg (Afrikaans: "Dragon's Mountain") is the highest mountain range in Southern Africa, rising to 3,482 metres (11,420 ft) in height. In Zulu, it is referred to as uKhahlamba ("barrier of spears"), and in Sesotho as Maluti (also spelled Maloti). Its geological history lends it a distinctive character amongst the mountain ranges of the world. Geologically, the range resembles the Simien Mountains of Ethiopia. Contents [hide] 1 Location 2 Geological origins 3 Geomorphology 3.1 Appearance 3.2 Composition 4 Highest peaks 5 Ecology 5.1 Flora 5.2 Fauna 6 Caves and cave paintings 7 Conservation 8 Notes 9 References 10 External links // Location The range is located in the eastern part of South Africa, running for some 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) from south-west to north-east. The mountains drain on the western slopes by the Orange and Vaal rivers, and on the east and south by a number of smaller rivers, the Tugela being the largest. The range separates KwaZulu-Natal Province from Free State Province, looming over the nearby coast of Natal. A Guide to the Drakensberg describes Geological origins During the Pre-Cambrian era, volcanic eruptions in the area resulted in lava covering large sections of the Southern African sub-continent. In the Mesozoic era, wind and water deposited thick layers of shale, mudstone and sandstone, now known as the Karoo Supergroup, over the ancient primary rock. When Gondwanaland began to break up 200 million years ago, the resultant forces caused the extrusion of magma, known as Drakensberg lava, through fissures and cracks in the earth's suface.[1] In the Drakensberg region it capped the sedimentary rock formations with layers of solid basalt up to 1400 m thick. Weathering reduced the range's size, and caused the plateau to receed. In modern times, continued erosion has exposed some of the underlying sediment.[1] Geomorphology Appearance The mountains are capped by a layer of basalt approximately 1,400 m thick, with sandstone lower down, resulting in a combination of steep-sided blocks and pinnacles. Composition The majority of the range is basalt, as a result of continental upheval | ||||
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