- published: 16 Jan 2013
- views: 8759
The Karoo (/kəˈruː/ kə-ROO; from a Khoikhoi word, possibly garo "desert") is a semi-desert natural region of South Africa. There is no exact definition of what constitutes the Karoo, and therefore its extent is also not precisely defined. The Karoo is partly defined by its topography, geology, and climate — above all, its low rainfall, arid air, cloudless skies, and extremes of heat and cold. The Karoo also hosted a well-preserved ecosystem hundreds of million years ago which is now represented by many fossils.
The Karoo formed an almost impenetrable barrier to the interior from Cape Town, and the early adventurers, explorers, hunters and travelers on the way to the Highveld unanimously denounced it as a frightening place of great heat, great frosts, great floods and great droughts. Today it is still a place of great heat and frosts, and an annual rainfall of between 50–250 mm, though on some of the mountains it can be 250–500 mm higher than on the plains. However, underground water is found throughout the Karoo, which can be tapped by boreholes, making permanent settlements and sheep farming possible.
Stand up and be counted, for you are not alone
The white man came and left you without a home
Moneto is calling, he hears the rage in your heart
And fire in your eyes sets you apart
High on a misty mountain, looking down at us
We're fighting and dying for our foolish lust
Tecumsen you were hiding your soul in the past
But the sorrow in your heart fooled everyone of us
CHORUS: Wherever you are, wherever you go
If you call, I will follow
Wherever you are, whatever you do
If you fall, I'm right beside you
And though they're gone forever, the memories remain
Beyond the great wide open
Lies an endless plain
Ancient bones have turned to dust, those who dies in vain
The mighty rivers and mountains
Still bear witness to the past
CHORUS