Alexandria, Eastern Cape

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}} {{Use South African English|date=January 2015}} {{more citations needed|date=January 2013}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Alexandria | image_skyline = Alexandria Dutch Reformed Church.JPG | image_caption = The [[Dutch Reformed Church, Alexandria|Dutch Reformed Church]], a Provincial Heritage Site,<ref>{{cite web|title=9/2/005/0004- Dutch Reformed Church Voortrekker Street Alexandria |url=http://196.35.231.29/sahra/HeritageSitesDetail.aspx?id=21457 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121128165123/http://196.35.231.29/sahra/HeritageSitesDetail.aspx?id=21457 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-11-28 |publisher=[[South African Heritage Resource Agency]] }}</ref> in Alexandria | pushpin_map = South Africa Eastern Cape#South Africa | coordinates = {{coord|33|39.2|S|26|24.5|E|region:ZA|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = [[South Africa]] | subdivision_type1 = Province | subdivision_name1 = [[Eastern Cape]] | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = [[Sarah Baartman District Municipality|Sarah Baartman]] | subdivision_type3 = Municipality | subdivision_name3 = [[Ndlambe Local Municipality|Ndlambe]] | subdivision_type4 = Main Place | established_title = Established | leader_title = Councillor | area_footnotes = <ref name=census2011>Sum of the Main Places [http://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/265008 Alexandria] and [http://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/265009 KwaNonkqubela] from Census 2011.</ref> | area_total_km2 = 5.7 | population_footnotes = <ref name=census2011 /> | population_total = 10085 | population_as_of = 2011 | population_density_km2 = auto  | demographics_type1 = Racial makeup (2011) | demographics1_footnotes = <ref name=census2011 /> | demographics1_title1 = [[Bantu peoples of South Africa|Black African]] | demographics1_info1 = 77.4% | demographics1_title2 = [[Coloureds|Coloured]] | demographics1_info2 = 16.3% | demographics1_title3 = [[Indian South African|Indian]]/[[Asian South African|Asian]] | demographics1_info3 = 0.3% | demographics1_title4 = [[White South African|White]] | demographics1_info4 = 5.2% | demographics1_title5 = Other | demographics1_info5 = 0.8%  | demographics_type2 = [[First language]]s (2011) | demographics2_footnotes = <ref name=census2011 /> | demographics2_title1 = [[Xhosa language|Xhosa]] | demographics2_info1 = 72.8% | demographics2_title2 = [[Afrikaans]] | demographics2_info2 = 20.3% | demographics2_title3 = [[English language|English]] | demographics2_info3 = 4.2% | demographics2_title4 = | demographics2_info4 = | demographics2_title5 = Other | demographics2_info5 = 2.7%   | timezone1 = [[South African Standard Time|SAST]] | utc_offset1 = +2 | postal_code_type = [[List of postal codes in South Africa|Postal code]] (street) | postal_code = 6185 | postal2_code_type = [[Post-office box|PO box]] | postal2_code = 6185 | area_code_type = [[Telephone numbers in South Africa|Area code]] | area_code = 046 }} '''Alexandria''' is a small farming town in the [[Eastern Cape Province|Eastern Cape]] of [[South Africa]] and is situated 100 km north-east of [[Gqeberha]] on the [[R72 (South Africa)|R72 road]] to [[Bushman's River Mouth]], [[Kenton-on-Sea]] and [[Port Alfred]]. Alexandria is part of the [[Ndlambe Local Municipality]] in the [[Sarah Baartman District Municipality]] of the Eastern Cape.

It might have been established by the [[Dutch Empire|Dutch colonial government]] in the late 18th century, but was named Alexandria in 1856 after Reverend [[Alexander Smith (minister)|Alexander Smith]]. It has a warm temperate climate and is unusual in southern Africa in having no distinct dry or wet season, with rain received throughout the year.

Alexandria is one of the most important [[chicory]] producing areas in South Africa and is also known for pineapple production and dairy farming. The Alexandria area also includes the Alexandria State Forest, known as Langebos to the locals, which is a narrow stretch of pristine indigenous forest bordering the Alexandria [[dune]] field, one of the largest active dune fields in the world. The [[Woody Cape Nature Reserve]], which stretches from the [[Sundays River]] mouth to the [[Bushman's River]] mouth and includes the dune field and the indigenous forest, has been incorporated into the [[Addo Elephant National Park]].

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Alexandria, Eastern Cape}}

[[Category:Populated places in the Ndlambe Local Municipality]]