write a short note on the people of prairies and also on the people of veld
Answers
The temperate grasslands of South Africa are called the velds. Just like you know that the temperate grasslands of Canada and USA are the Prairies, Velds belong to South Africa. Velds are rolling plateaus with varying heights ranging from 600 m to 1100 m. The Drakensberg mountains bound them on the east.Climate
The Velds have a mild climate due to the influence of the Indian Oceans. Winters are cold and dry. Temperature varies between 5°C and 10°C and July is the coldest month. The annual rainfall received here mainly in the summer months from November to February.
Flora and Fauna
Vegetation cover is relatively very sparse. Red grass grows in bush velds. Acacia and Maroola are found in the high rise areas. You can find animals like cows, buffalos etc. in the Velds.
People in the Velds
Velds are known for cattle rearing and mining. These activities are very famous in this region. Maize, barley, potatoes, and oats are the main crops. You can find a lot of mineral ores in this region. It has a rich reserve of minerals. The area has many iron and steel industries in places where coal and iron are present. Johannesburg is known as the gold capital of the world.
The Prairies
Prairies are the temperate grasslands of North America. The word ‘Prairie’ originated from the Latin word ‘priata’ which means meadow. They have the following features:
It is a region of flat, gently sloping or hilly land.
For the most part, prairies are treeless but, near the low lying plains, flanking river valleys, woodlands can be found.
Tall trees, up to two meters high, dominate the landscape.
It is actually ‘a sea of grasses’. The prairies cover parts of the United States of America and parts of Canada. The Rocky Mountains bound them in the West. The Great Lakes cover them in the east. The tributaries of Mississippi drain the prairies in the USA. On the other hand, the tributaries of the Saskatchewan Rivers drain the prairies of Canada.
Climate of The Prairies
The Prairies are located in the heart of a continent. Therefore, the climate is of continental type with extreme temperatures. The summers are warm, with temperatures of around 20oC and winters are very cold with temperatures of around -20oC.
You can get this temperature in Winnipeg, Canada. In winters, a thick blanket of snow covers this region. It rains moderately in this region and is ideal for the growth of grass. Due to the absence of the north-south barrier, a local wind ‘Chinook’ blows here.
Flora and Fauna
Flora
Prairies are practically treeless. Based on availability of water, the plants found in the area, differ.
Trees such as willows, alders, and poplars grow in areas where you get water.
Where rainfall is above 50 cm, farming is practiced as the soil is fertile. The main crop here is maize. The other crops that are grown in this area include potatoes, soybean, alfa-alfa, and cotton.
Areas, where rainfall is very little or unreliable, short and sparse grasses, are found. These areas are suitable for cattle rearing. Large cattle farms are called ranches. These are looked after by sturdy men called cowboys.
Fauna
The American Buffalo or the bison is the main animal in the Prairies. However, it has nearly got extinct due to indiscriminate hunting. Other animals found in this region are rabbits, Prairie dogs, coyotes, and gophers.
What are the Velds?
The temperate grasslands of South Africa are called the velds. Just like you know that the temperate grasslands of Canada and USA are the Prairies, Velds belong to South Africa. Velds are rolling plateaus with varying heights ranging from 600 m to 1100 m. The Drakensberg mountains bound them on the east.
Browse more Topics under Life In The Temperate Grasslands
The Prairies – Temperate Region
Climate
The Velds have a mild climate due to the influence of the Indian Oceans. Winters are cold and dry. Temperature varies between 5°C and 10°C and July is the coldest month. The annual rainfall received here mainly in the summer months from November to February.
The Velds
Flora and Fauna
Vegetation cover is relatively very sparse. Red grass grows in bush velds. Acacia and Maroola are found in the high rise areas. You can find animals like cows, buffalos etc. in the Velds.
People in the Velds
Velds are known for cattle rearing and mining. These activities are very famous in this region. Maize, barley, potatoes, and oats are the main crops. You can find a lot of mineral ores in this region. It has a rich reserve of minerals. The area has many iron and steel industries in places where coal and iron are present. Johannesburg is known as the gold capital of the world.
Question For You
Q1. What are velds?
Ans: The temperate grasslands of South Africa are called velds. They are rolling plateaus with varying heights ranging from 600 m to 1100m.
Q2. Write a note on the flora of the velds.
Ans: The vegetation cover is sparse, with red grasses growing in the bush velds and acacia and maroola growing in the high velds.
Q3. Why do the velds receive rainfall in the summer months?
Ans: Because of the warm ocean currents that wash the shores of the velds.
Q4. Why is the soil in the velds not very fertile?
Ans: Because of the presence of discontinuous grasses exposing barren surface.
Q5. Discuss the life in the Velds.
Ans: Velds are known for cattle rearing and mining. These activities are very famous in this region. Maize, barley, potatoes, and oats are the main crops. You can find a lot of mineral ores in this region. It has a rich reserve of minerals. The area has many iron and steel industries in places where coal and iron are present. Johannesburg is known as the gold capital of the world.
Q6. Write a note about the Veld’s climate.
Ans: The Velds have a mild climate due to the influence of the Indian Oceans. Winters are cold and dry. Temperature varies between 5°C and 10°C and July is the coldest month. The velds receive rainfall mainly in the summer months from November to February.