Kimberley is the Capital city of the Northern Cape in South Africa and has a population of 167,000 people. Something interesting, on September 2, 1822 Kimberley was the first town in the Southern Hemisphere to install electric street lights. The town is very well known for its diamond mining and siege during world war two. To most tourists Kimberly may also be known as "the city that sparkles". One will not become board easily with the many great tourist attractions, museums and game farms to be seen.
Miners piled up in the thousands, as the once hill started to disappear and soon became known as the "Big Hole". 50 000 miners dug the hole with picks and shovels, yielding 2,722 kg of diamonds. The hole is 463 meters wide. Many men met their deaths in mining accidents, along with no fresh vegetables a shortage of water, unbearable heat and an unclean working environment this also played a serious part in the loss of men.
De Beers, a very well known company today was established in 1888 by the leaders deciding to join together to separate the diggings into one big mine. By August 1914 22 million tons of earth had been removed and once the hole was considered the largest hand-dug excavation on earth, work eased up for the men. The big hole use to be 240 meters deep and is now only 215 meters in depth due to bad weather it has filled with stones and rain.
A memorial of all diggers past and present have been created in honor of them called the "Diggers Memorial" It is a fountain and statue designed in the shape of a diamond sieve and is help up by five life size diggers. In the Ernest Oppenheimer Gardens is where the memorial is located, however these gardens are also a memorial for the late Sir Oppenheimer who was a mining industrialist and the first mayor of Kimberley.
When taking a visit to the Big Hole you can expect to view a fascinating 15 minute film introduction, photographs, archive material and original artifacts that will illustrate to you the story of diamonds. As well at the real diamond display you can see the largest uncut octahedron in the world that is stored in a vault. And the new platform that has been built will give visitors the true feel of how wide and deep this man-made whole really is. You will need hours to spare because there is so much to see and learn about.
Miners piled up in the thousands, as the once hill started to disappear and soon became known as the "Big Hole". 50 000 miners dug the hole with picks and shovels, yielding 2,722 kg of diamonds. The hole is 463 meters wide. Many men met their deaths in mining accidents, along with no fresh vegetables a shortage of water, unbearable heat and an unclean working environment this also played a serious part in the loss of men.
De Beers, a very well known company today was established in 1888 by the leaders deciding to join together to separate the diggings into one big mine. By August 1914 22 million tons of earth had been removed and once the hole was considered the largest hand-dug excavation on earth, work eased up for the men. The big hole use to be 240 meters deep and is now only 215 meters in depth due to bad weather it has filled with stones and rain.
A memorial of all diggers past and present have been created in honor of them called the "Diggers Memorial" It is a fountain and statue designed in the shape of a diamond sieve and is help up by five life size diggers. In the Ernest Oppenheimer Gardens is where the memorial is located, however these gardens are also a memorial for the late Sir Oppenheimer who was a mining industrialist and the first mayor of Kimberley.
When taking a visit to the Big Hole you can expect to view a fascinating 15 minute film introduction, photographs, archive material and original artifacts that will illustrate to you the story of diamonds. As well at the real diamond display you can see the largest uncut octahedron in the world that is stored in a vault. And the new platform that has been built will give visitors the true feel of how wide and deep this man-made whole really is. You will need hours to spare because there is so much to see and learn about.
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Kimberley is known as the city that sparkles. Kimberley boasts so many great tourist attractions and Kimberley activities that the entire family can partake in. There is also loads of Kimberley accommodation that is comfortable, easy on the pocket and suited to all your requirements.. This article, Kimberley, home to many tourist attractions, museums and game farms. is available for free reprint.
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