Maclear, Eastern Cape

Maclear
Maclear
Maclear  Maclear shown within Eastern Cape
Coordinates:
Country	South Africa
Province	Eastern Cape
District	Joe Gqabi
Municipality	Elundini
Established	{{#property:P571}}
Area
• Total	9.2 km2 (3.6 sq mi)
Elevation	1,272 m (4,173 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	10,521
• Density	1,100/km2 (3,000/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
• Black African	93.1%
• Coloured	4.3%
• Indian/Asian	0.2%
• White	2.0%
• Other	0.4%
First languages (2011)
• Xhosa	88.3%
• Afrikaans	5.1%
• English	2.7%
• Sotho	2.1%
• Other	1.8%
Postal code (street)	5480
PO box	5480
Area code	045
Website	http://www.maclear.co.za/

Maclear is a small town situated in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, near the Mooi River (a tributary of the Tsitsa River), 172 km north of East London and 80 km north-east of Elliot. It was founded in 1876 as a military camp, called Nqanqaru Drift and developed rapidly, reaching municipal status in 1916. Was named after Sir Thomas Maclear (1794-1879), a famous astronomer who laid the foundation for a trigonometrical survey of the Cape Colony.

It lies just north-east of Ugie. The land to the east and south was part of the former homeland of Transkei.

Tourism

Maclear is a popular trout-fishing resort set in beautiful surroundings.