Yzerfontein
Encyclopedia
Yzerfontein is a small harbour town with about 1200 inhabitants on the west coast of South Africa
about 90 km north of Cape Town
. The main sources of income are tourism (especially during the wild flower season from August to October), and fishing.
Yzerfontein is known for its unique 16 Mile Beach, the longest uninterrupted sandy beach on the South African coastline, stretching north of the main beach, to the West Coast National Park
which borders the town. Dassen Island
is about 10 km offshore to the west.
Yzerfontein is the landing point for the ACE
and WACS
submarine communications cable
s.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
about 90 km north of Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
. The main sources of income are tourism (especially during the wild flower season from August to October), and fishing.
Yzerfontein is known for its unique 16 Mile Beach, the longest uninterrupted sandy beach on the South African coastline, stretching north of the main beach, to the West Coast National Park
West Coast National Park
The West Coast National Park lies 120 km north of Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is in size. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the west and the R27 coastal road, and runs from the town of Yzerfontein in the south up to the Langebaan lagoon...
which borders the town. Dassen Island
Dassen Island
Dassen Island is a South African island in the Atlantic Ocean. It is situated about 10km west of Yzerfontein and 55km north of Cape Town. The flat and low-lying island measures about 3.1 km long northwest-southeast, and 1 km wide, with an area of 2.73 km²...
is about 10 km offshore to the west.
Yzerfontein is the landing point for the ACE
ACE (cable system)
The ACE submarine communications cable is a cable system undergoing construction along the west coast of Africa between France and South Africa, planned by the ACE consortium which was initiated on June 5, 2010....
and WACS
WACS (cable system)
WACS is an under-construction submarine communications cable linking South Africa with the United Kingdom along the west coast of Africa which is being constructed by Alcatel-Lucent. The cable is 14,000 km in length, linking from Yzerfontein in the Western Cape of South Africa to London in...
submarine communications cable
Submarine communications cable
A submarine communications cable is a cable laid on the sea bed between land-based stations to carry telecommunication signals across stretches of ocean....
s.