Mthatha River Umtata River | |
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![]() close to where the Mthatha River meets the Indian Ocean | |
Etymology | Sneeze-wood trees (Ptaeroxylon obliquum) growing on the banks of the river[1] |
Native name | 'mtathe Bawo (Xhosa) |
Location | |
Country | South Africa |
Province | Eastern Cape Province |
Physical characteristics | |
Source | |
• location | Baziya Range, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
• elevation | 1,500 m (4,900 ft) |
Mouth | Indian Ocean |
• location | Coffee Bay, South Africa |
• coordinates | 31°56′S 29°11′E / 31.933°S 29.183°E |
• elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
Length | 250 km (160 mi) |
Basin size | 2,600 km2 (1,000 sq mi) |
Mthatha River or Umtata River (Xhosa: 'mtathe Bawo) is a river in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. The river flows into the Indian Ocean in an estuary located near Coffee Bay. The Mthatha river flows in a southeastern direction and is approximately 250 km long with a catchment area of 2,600 km2. Mthatha Town (Umtata) is named after it.[2][3]
Its main tributaries are the Ngqungqu River and the Cicira River.[4]
The Mthatha River marks the southern limit of the Pondoland region.[5]