17°C
Clear
Humidity: 93%
Wind: 14.48 km/h
26°C
14°C
21°C
17°C
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Welcome to Knysna, the beating heart of the Garden Route. Wherever you have come from in the world, Knysna is sure to steal a piece of your heart. Knysna is not only a small and unique town, but it also offers up-to-date and convenient services. From getting around town to excellent medical assistance, you will feel as though you have come to your second home.
Even though Knysna is the most temperate place in Southern Africa one must always be prepared for a change in weather. It is not uncommon to have four seasons in a day. For your trip to the beach, make sure you have a hat and sun cream, but also a wind breaker and keep an umbrella in the boot of your car just in case of a sudden downpour.
Area | |
---|---|
Total | 1,109 km2 (428 sq mi) |
Population (2011) | |
Total | 68,659 |
Density | 62/km2 (160/sq mi) |
The town is primarily built on the northern shore of a large warm-water estuary, known as the Knysna Lagoon, which is fed by the Knysna River. The estuary opens to the ocean after passing between two large headlands. These are popularly known as "The Heads", and have become infamous due to the loss of boats and fishermen passing through their treacherous and unpredictable waters. The Paquita, a German vessel, sank on the eastern side of the Knysna Heads way back in 1903. Near them are geological formations, known locally as "The Map Stones." To the north of Knysna, Afro-Montane or temperate rainforest covers the hilly terrain for 20 km until changing to fynbos or macchia high in the Outeniqua Mountains.
Knysna has an oceanic climate (Cfb in the Köppen climate classification). Summers are hot and winters mild to chilly. During the summer, the average maximum temperature reaches about 25 °C (77 °F) and rarely goes above 30 °C (86 °F). The average maximum temperature during the winter months ranges in the area of 16 °C (61 °F) to 17 °C (63 °F). Knysna has one of the richest rainfall percentages in South Africa with the wettest time of year being between June and August. Knysna stays green in all seasons, and its temperate climate makes it a tourist destination all year round.[10]
Climate data for Knysna |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Average high °C (°F) | 26 (79) |
26 (79) |
25 (77) |
24 (75) |
23 (73) |
21 (70) |
21 (70) |
21 (70) |
21 (70) |
22 (72) |
23 (73) |
25 (77) |
23.2 (73.8) |
Average low °C (°F) | 15 (59) |
16 (61) |
15 (59) |
12 (54) |
10 (50) |
8 (46) |
7 (45) |
8 (46) |
9 (48) |
11 (52) |
12 (54) |
14 (57) |
11.4 (52.6) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 62.4 (2.457) |
55.2 (2.173) |
81 (3.19) |
60.2 (2.37) |
38.5 (1.516) |
31.7 (1.248) |
35.9 (1.413) |
67.5 (2.657) |
44.2 (1.74) |
86.5 (3.406) |
93.7 (3.689) |
62.5 (2.461) |
719.3 (28.32) |
Average rainy days | 14 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 145 |
Mean daily sunshine hours | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8.6 |
Source #1: World Weather Online | |||||||||||||
Source #2: Holiday Weather.com |
Defining the economy: The economy is about how wealth is created, distributed and consumed. It concerns the ways in which a country produces, distributes and consumes the tangible, material commodities of life. It is also about how the proceeds or income from these activities are distributed amongst those who contribute towards them: businesses, workers, the state and the whole of society. Every person affects the economy in some way and we are all affected by it.
Economics attempts to answer questions such as:
Contact Manager Economic Development:
Ms Ilse van Schalkwyk
Telephone: +27 (0)44 302 1646
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Knysna is the ideal location to establish and expand a business. The Knysna economy is the third largest economy in the Eden District with a total Gross Geographical Product of R 2,3 billion in 2011 according to StatsSA (2013). The leading sectors are Finance and Business Services and Wholesale, Retail, Trade and Accommodation.
The key reasons which for investment in the Knysna economy and its people include the following:
July 2013 – Vitamin K initiative in Business Events Africa
18/03/2013 Knysna New Business Events Destination (Business Events Africa)
Contact Manager Economic Development:
Ms Ilse van Schalkwyk
Telephone: +27 (0)44 302 1646
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Green Economy refers to two inter-linked developmental impacts for the Knysna economy:
Key focus areas have been identified to increase the competitive advantage of Knysna as a local economy which is known for its beautiful natural environment and is linking economic opportunity to this through the following initiatives which is aligned to National Government:
Green buildings and the Green business zones: programme includes greening private and public buildings and transforming the industrial area as a green business zone which is geared for green industries.
- Expanding off-grid options in rural and urban
- Solar Water Heater programme
- Solar geysers for all RDP houses
A number of initiatives within civil society, private and private sectors are already in implementation i.e. Biowise. The investment potential in Knysna is significant to position the Greater Knysna as a investment destination for clean industries and research to transition the local economy towards a sustainable diversified economic base.
Contact Manager Economic Development:
Ms Ilse van Schalkwyk
Telephone: +27 (0)44 302 1646
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The beautiful Knysna Estuary is the most important estuary in South Africa in terms of conservation. Home to 42% of all South Africa’s estuarine species, visitors and nature lovers will take pleasure in this diversity hotspot. The estuary is also home to South Africa’s only endemic seahorse species - and the symbol of the Knysna Basin Project - the Knysna seahorse. As such, the estuary is a protected area and part of the Garden Route National Park.
The Knysna Basin Project is a scientifically focused Not for Profit organization based in Knysna. The overarching aim of the Knysna Basin Project is to ensure the future conservation of the Knysna Estuary and the surrounding catchments. We believe that this aim can only be achieved through ongoing scientific research and the education of those that depend on the estuary and surrounding environment. As an organization, we work closely with management authorities and local groups to ensure the implementation of tangible management and conservation actions.
We welcome visitors to the Knysna estuary and encourage users to play a part in its conservation. Please adhere to all fishing and bait collection regulations within the estuary. A copy of our Fishing and Boating Regulations Flyer is available upon purchase of a fishing permit at the Knysna Post Office. Additional visitor and user information is available at the SANParks Offices at Thesen Island Harbour.
Knysna Basin Project has published a revised and expanded second edition of its field guide – A Field Guide to the Shores of the Knysna Estuary – the common creatures, seaweeds and saltmarsh plants. The Guide aims to help the community learn about and appreciate the Estuary and to raise funds for the Project. The field guide is available for purchase at the Leisure Isle library, and Nadine’s Corner on Leisure Isle.
For more information on the Knysna Basin Project and the research currently being conducted within the estuary, please visit our website at www.knysnabasinproject.co.za and our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/knysnabasinproject.