Christiana

Name

Christiana is named after Christiana Pretorius, daughter of President MW Pretorius (1819 - 1901). Lake Chrissie (Chrissiesmeer) in the Mpumalanga Province is also named after her.

Attractions

Also see the neighbouring towns

The Vaal River flows from northeast to southwest past Christiana.

Fishing and boating is popular on the Vaal River. Prehistoric engravings can be viewed in some areas.

Diggers Museum

The Diggers Museum exhibits life of diamond diggers. This includes mining equipment, as well as rare photograps.

San Rock Paintings

San Rock Paintings can be viewed at Stowlands, 6Km from town.

Game reserve

There is a 2300Ha game reserve near the town that is home to white rhino, zebra, giraffe and other game.

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History

In the 1860s this area experienced a diamond rush. In order to solve disputes over the land, President MW Pretorius established a town on the northern bank of the Vaal River on the farm Zoutpansdrift (which means "salt pan drift"). The first erven sold in 1870. The town was thus established for administrative control during the diamond rush.

In 1872 diamonds were found in the river gravel at Christiana, and diamond frenzy also reached the town, but this soon scaled down.

Today the town is an agricultural centre, although some minor diggings and small finds still occur.

Marthinus Wessel Pretorius

Marthinus Wessel Pretorius (1819 - 1901) was the first president of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (South African Republic) from 1857 to 1860, and again from 1864 to 1871. He was the son of Andries Pretorius, one of the leaders of the European pioneers (known as the Voortrekkers, which means those who move away first) who left the Cape of Good Hope for the interior of southern Africa.

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Climate and nature

The climate is typical highveld with green and warm summers, and dry and cold winters.

Christiana lies with the WFF AT1009 Highveld grasslands ecoregion.

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Economy

Farming: Maize

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