Transkei

Transkei (trănskī') [key], former black “homeland” and nominal republic, E South Africa. Transkei was bounded by the Great Kei River on the south, by the Indian Ocean on the east, by Natal on the north, and by Lesotho on the northwest. The capital and main city was Umtata.

Part of the Drakensberg Range was in W Transkei. Much of the former territory of the homeland is hilly or mountainous, and there is little good farmland. Most of the area's inhabitants speak a Xhosa language. Roughly two thirds of the Transkei's income was provided by the South African government, and all trade was conducted through South Africa.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

• • Cite
  • Print