It is named after the district of Albany and falls within the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany Hotspot.
It is notable for its biodiversity and unique, endemic flora and fauna.
Albany thicket is an ecoregion and biodiversity hotspot of dense woodland, containing many endemic species.
[2] Ecologically it forms part of the greater Cape Floristic Region.
The coastal belt has a temperate climate, with winter rainfall of 500 to 700 mm (20 to 28 in) per annum or more.