Albany, South Africa

Grahamstown was traditionally the administrative capital, cultural centre and largest town of the Albany district.

The area was previously known as the 'Zuurveld' by migrating Boer farmers in the late 18th century, and it lay near the boundary between the Cape Colony and the traditional Xhosa lands to the east.

The coastal belt is a temperate, winter rainfall area, with rains of 500 to 700 mm per annum and above.

Further to the interior, the terrain is mostly dry Karoo and grasslands composed of large commercial farms and vast expanses.

Grahamstown is still a major cultural centre, being home to both Rhodes University as well as the National Arts Festival.