BEAUFORT WEST, a town in South Africa, 339m. by rail from Cape Town, 2,792ft. above sea-level, at the foot of the Nieuwveld mountains. Its white population in 1931 was 3,337. It is the largest town in the western part of the Great Karroo. Owing to its dry climate it is recommended as an invalid resort. It has a good water supply from springs and from a reservoir, which has a capacity of 700,000,00o gallons. The town is sur rounded by orchards and fields, and many of the streets are bor dered with quince hedges. It was founded in 1819 and used to do a considerable trade with Bechuana and Griqua in ivory, skins and cattle.
The magisterial division of Beaufort West has an area of sq. miles. The rainfall is about ten inches. Agriculture is impos sible without irrigation; and the production and sale of wool are the chief occupations of the inhabitants of both town and district.