City (pop., 1996: urban area, 170,432), South Africa.
Founded in 1871 shortly after the discovery of diamonds in the area, it was the capital of Griqualand West (1873–80) before it became part of Cape Colony. It was besieged by the Boers for four months (1899–1900) during the South African War . It is still a diamond-mining centre; its outskirts are marked by immense pits and heaps of earth, the aftermath of mining operations. The De Beers and Kimberley mines are nearby.