Geography, History & Economy
Drakenstein Local Municipality is part of Cape Winelands District Municipality.
MDB code: WC023
Description: The Drakenstein Local Municipality is a Category B municipality forming part of the Cape Winelands District in the Western Cape Province. It is bordered on the west by the City of Cape Town Metro and West Coast District. The municipality is one of five in the district.
It stretches from just south of the N1 freeway, including Simondium in the south, up to and including Saron in the north. The Klein Drakenstein, Limiet and Saron Mountain Ranges form its eastern edge, and the agricultural areas immediately to the west of the R45 form its western border.
Paarl and Wellington are the main urban centres in the municipality, located in close proximity to the N1 in the south, with smaller rural settlements at Saron and Gouda in the north and Hermon in the mid-west.
Area: 1 538km²
Cities/Towns: Gouda, Paarl, Saron, Wellington
Main Economic Sectors: Finance, insurance, real estate and business services (21.29%), wholesale and retail trade, catering and accommodation (18.12%), manufacturing (15.36%), general government (10.75%), transport, storage and communication (8.74%)