Saldanha Bay
Saldanha Bay (Afrikaans: Saldanhabaai) is a natural harbour on the south-western coast of South Africa. The town that developed on the northern shore of the bay, also called Saldanha, was incorporated with five other towns into the Saldanha Bay Local Municipality in 2000. The current population of the municipality is estimated at 72,000.
| Saldanha Bay | |
|---|---|
| Saldanhabaai (Afrikaans) | |
Present day Saldanha Bay. To the right (south) is the Langebaan lagoon | |
Saldanha Bay Location in South Africa | |
| Coordinates | 33°02′05″S 18°00′35″E |
| Ocean/sea sources | Southern Atlantic Ocean |
| Basin countries | South Africa |
| Max. length | 12 km (7.5 mi) |
| Max. width | 11 km (6.8 mi) |
| Islands | St Croix Islands, Bird Islands |
| Settlements | Saldanha, Langebaan |
The place is mentioned in the first edition of John Locke's Two Treatises of Government as an example of the state of nature.
Saldanha Bay's location makes it a paradise for the watersport enthusiast, and its local economy being strongly dependent on fishing, mussels, seafood processing, the steel industry and the harbour. Furthermore, its sheltered harbour plays an important part in the Sishen-Saldanha iron-ore project (connected by the Sishen-Saldanha Railway Line) at which Saldanha Steel takes center stage.