Yzerfontein

Yzerfontein
Yzerfontein seen from the town harbour
Yzerfontein Show map of Western Cape Yzerfontein Show map of South Africa Yzerfontein Show map of Africa  Yzerfontein shown within Western Cape
Coordinates: 33°19′59″S 18°09′43″E / 33.333°S 18.162°E / -33.333; 18.162Coordinates: 33°19′59″S 18°09′43″E / 33.333°S 18.162°E / -33.333; 18.162
Country	South Africa
Province	Western Cape
District	West Coast
Municipality	Swartland
Established	1937
Area
• Total	6.68 km2 (2.58 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Total	1,140
• Density	170/km2 (440/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
• Black African	8.9%
• Coloured	5.6%
• Indian/Asian	0.5%
• White	81.4%
• Other	3.5%
First languages (2011)
• Afrikaans	71.5%
• English	25.3%
• Xhosa	1.2%
• Other	1.9%
PO box	7351
Area code	022

Yzerfontein is a small harbour town with about 1200 inhabitants on the west coast of South Africa about 90 km north of Cape Town. The name in Dutch or Afrikaans means "Iron Fountain". The main sources of income are tourism (especially during the wildflower season from August to October), mining and fishing.

Yzerfontein is known for its Sixteen Mile Beach, the longest uninterrupted sandy beach on the South African coastline, stretching north from the main beach of the town, to the West Coast National Park, which borders the town. Dassen Island, another nature reserve, is about 10 km offshore.

Yzerfontein is the landing point for the ACE and WACS submarine communications cables.

Outside of the town is the Darling Wind Farm. This is producing power and there are plans for expansion.

The Yzerfontein salt pan is a 116 hectares (287 acres) coastal salt pan, just northeast of the town. It was formerly mined for salt, and is currently mined for gypsum.