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The stretch of river between Vioolsdrift and
the Orange River mouth is without doubt the most impressive and
spectacular area in the Orange River basin. The Orange River forms a thin band of
green vegetation through on of the driest mountain deserts in the world. The
rainfall in this area is in the order of 25 mm per annum while the potential evaporation
exceeds 3 000 mm along most of the river. Precipitation increases slightly to about
50 mm per annum at the river with a corresponding reduction in potential evaporation due
to the cold sea currents moving up the west coast from the Antarctic.
Details of the various areas that are of special importance along this 300
km stretch of the river can be obtained by clicking on the navigation buttons to the left.
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