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Swellendam

South Africa
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Swellendam, town, Western Cape province, South Africa. It is situated in the Breede River valley 120 miles (190 km) east of Cape Town. The town lies inland from the Indian Ocean at the base of the Langeberg mountains. Founded (1743) by the Dutch East India Company, it was named for the Cape governor, Hendrik Swellengrebel, and his wife, whose maiden name was Damme. A local revolt against company authority in 1795 led to the establishment of the first of several local Boer republics. The town, stretching for 3 miles (5 km) along a tributary of the Breede River, is surrounded by natural beauty, preserved in the flower and scenic reserves and Bontebok National Park (11 square miles [28 square km]). The town’s old Cape Dutch buildings include the Drostdy (former residence of the governing official), now a museum. Swellendam is the centre of an agricultural area producing cattle, sheep, grain, and fruit. Pop. (2001) town, 23,651; mun., 28,078.