Breede

Breede generally refers to geographic features and administrative regions in the Western Cape of South Africa centered on the Breede River. The Breede River is one of the Western Cape's major river systems, rising in the Langeberg Mountains and flowing westward to the Indian Ocean, where its estuary forms a broad tidal lagoon near the coastal town of Witsand. The river's watershed supports irrigation for fruit and wine farming in the adjacent Breede Valley.

Administratively, the Breede Valley Local Municipality (within the Cape Winelands District) governs parts of the region and is known for viticulture and agriculture, as well as tourism. The area is characterized by fruit farming, wine production, and related services that attract visitors.

Ecology and tourism: The Breede River Estuary is an important biodiversity site, with fishing, boating, and birdwatching being popular activities. The De Hoop Nature Reserve lies along the coast near the river mouth and protects coastal and wetland habitats, contributing to regional conservation and recreation.

History: The region was traditionally inhabited by Khoisan communities before Dutch settlement in the 17th century, which established wine and fruit agriculture that persists today. The Breede area has since developed as an agricultural and tourism hub within the Western Cape.