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Orange River Facts:  The World is full of amusing geographical locations, and sometimes some are known with one of the most unique names, which keeps us guessing their significance. One such example is the Orange River. Is it known as orange for the colour? To your surprise, its name has nothing to do with colour. Instead, the river got its name from the Dutch royal family, known as the House of Orange.

The name Orange River was given by a Dutch explorer, Robert Jacob Gordon, in 1779, when he was on a trip to the interior of South Africa. He chose the name in honour of the then-ruling prince, who used to live in the House of Orange -William V of Orange. The name of the Orange River reflects its colonial history and European heritage.

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At one time, the river was also known as the ‘ǂNūǃarib,’ which signified its black colour by the native people of the Khoikhoi. The Orange River was also popular as ‘Kai !Arib,’ which simply means the ‘Great River.’ Additionally, the Afrikaans names like Gariep and Groote River, which also mean Great River, are derived from these earlier names of the Orange River.

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The Orange River is not just famous for its name; the river is also known for its economic and ecological importance across South Africa. It is a major source of irrigation and hydroelectric power for most of the South African Republic. This lesser-known fact about the Orange River’s name showcases how long cultural and historical influences go.

 

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