Saldanha, Western Cape

Saldanha
Saldanha beach
Saldanha Show map of Western Cape Saldanha Show map of South Africa Saldanha Show map of Africa  Saldanha shown within Western Cape
Coordinates: 32°59′52″S 17°56′44″E / 32.99778°S 17.94556°E / -32.99778; 17.94556Coordinates: 32°59′52″S 17°56′44″E / 32.99778°S 17.94556°E / -32.99778; 17.94556
Country	South Africa
Province	Western Cape
District	West Coast
Municipality	Saldanha Bay
Area
• Total	17.36 km2 (6.70 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Total	28,142
• Density	1,600/km2 (4,200/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
• Black African	29.9%
• Coloured	54.3%
• Indian/Asian	1.4%
• White	13.5%
• Other	0.9%
First languages (2011)
• Afrikaans	70.3%
• Xhosa	19.6%
• English	7.0%
• Other	3.1%
Postal code (street)	7395
PO box	7395
Area code	022

Saldanha, also known as Saldanha Bay, is a town of 21,636 people, located 110 kilometres (70 mi) north of Cape Town on the northern shore of Saldanha Bay, in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Its situation as a natural sheltered harbour has led to development as a port for the export of iron ore from Sishen in the Northern Cape, which is transported on the Sishen–Saldanha railway line. The port is one of the largest exporting ports of ore in the whole of Africa, and it is able to handle ships as large as 200 000 tons deadweight.