As European settlers moved east, isolated towns and villages sprang up in this vast semi-desert area, like oases of greenery. Graaff-Reinet, an attractive agricultural hub, which mainly produces ostrich feathers and wool, acts as its capital. Temperatures in the region range from 45°C in summer to below 0°C in winter. Although things may seem a bit rugged here, visitors will find the hospitality of the inhabitants and the striking landscapes very rewarding.