The flowers of Namaqualand Namaqualand, an arid strip of land on the west coast of South Africa is home to a unique group of plants, without equal anywhere else on earth. Packed into this area is about 4,000 different species of wildflowers. The area is also host to a variety of wildlife, from mammals, insects and reptiles to amphibians and birdlife. The US based Conservation International identifies biodversity 'hotspots' as those areas where more than 1500 endemic plants occur. The Succulent Karoo biome covers most of Namaqualand and incorporate the Namaqua and Richtersveld National Parks. The Succulent Karoo biome is one of only 25 hotspots world wide. Hotspots cover less than 1.5% of the earths land. Within the Succulent Karoo biome, less than 2% is protected in conservation areas, with the balance heavily overgrazed. The Succulent Karoo is exceptional among the world's arid regions for its spectacularly diverse array of 6,356 plant species, 40% of which are endemic, found nowhere else on Earth. This is about four times the concentration of species found in comparable winter-rainfall deserts elsewhere in the world. The Succulent Karoo is the only entirely arid region to be recognized as a Biodiversity Hotspot. (Hotspots are regions that harbour a great diversity of endemic species and, at the same time, have been significantly impacted and altered by human activities.) Soil types, topography, rainfall, geology, vegitation and animal life all contibute to create four identifiable regions within Namaqualand. The Richtersveld is a mountainous region with the lowest rainfall. Plantlife consist of a staggering 2700 plant species, 560 of which are endemic. Since 80% of the plant species are succulents, this is widely regarded as the area with the world's highest succulent diversity. Used for extensive small stock farming. The Coastal Plain has the highest rainfall. Vegitation includes 432 plant species, 85 of which are Succulent Karoo endemics and 44 of which are Red List species. Plants grow higher and are more schrublike. Small stock farming, fishing and diamond dredging are the main human activities in this region. The Namaqualand Klipkoppe is what can be consifdered as the true Namaqualand. These 'Klipkoppe' or rocky outcrops, are made up of a fragmented chain of mountains measuring approximately 50kms in width. Significant to the topography of the area are the characteristic large flat or round granite outcrops surrounded by sandy alluvial valleys. This area is known for its spectacular displays of spring flowers and high diversity and endemism of bulbous flowers. 1109 species, of which 286 are Succulent Karoo endemics and 107 Red List species are found here. The Knersvlakte is typified by very low rolling hills covered in white quartz pebbles and is extremely rich in plant species. A total of 1,324 species, 266 of which are Succulent Karoo endemics with 128 species being listed on the Red List.