Knysna | ||
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Local municipality | ||
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Location of Knysna within the Western Cape |
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Coordinates: 34°00′S 23°00′E / 34.000°S 23.000°ECoordinates: 34°00′S 23°00′E / 34.000°S 23.000°E | ||
Country | South Africa | |
Province | Western Cape | |
District | Eden | |
Seat | Knysna | |
Wards | 10 | |
Government | ||
• Type | Municipal council | |
• Mayor | Eleanore Bouw-Spies (DA) | |
Area | ||
• Total | 1,109 km2 (428 sq mi) | |
Population (2011) | ||
• Total | 68,659 | |
• Density | 62/km2 (160/sq mi) | |
Racial makeup (2011) | ||
• Black African | 36.1% | |
• Coloured | 40.9% | |
• Indian/Asian | 0.4% | |
• White | 21.0% | |
First languages (2011) | ||
• Afrikaans | 51.2% | |
• Xhosa | 28.4% | |
• English | 15.4% | |
• Other | 5% | |
Time zone | SAST (UTC+2) | |
Municipal code | WC048 |
Knysna Local Municipality is a municipality part of Eden District Municipality located in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. As of 2011[update] the population is 68,659. Its municipal code is WC048.
The municipality covers an area of 1,109 square kilometres (428 sq mi) between the Indian Ocean and the Outeniqua Mountains around the town of Knysna. It abuts on the George Municipality to the north and west, and on the Bitou Municipality to the east.
According to the 2011 census the municipality has a population of 68,659 people in 21,893 households. Of this population, 40.9% describe themselves as "Coloured", 36.1% as "Black African", and 21.0% as "White". The first language of 51.2% of the population is Afrikaans, while 28.4% speak Xhosa and 15.4% speak English.
Most of the residents of the municipality live in the town of Knysna, which as of 2011 has a population of 51,078. Knysna is situated on the shores of the Knysna Lagoon; other coastal settlements are Sedgefield (pop. 8,361) and Buffelsbaai (pop. 71). Away from the coast are agricultural settlements at Rheenendal (pop. 3,936) and Karatara (pop. 880).