The
Orange River (
Afrikaans/
Dutch:
Oranjerivier),
Gariep River,
Groote River or
Senqu River is the longest river in
South Africa. It rises in the
Drakensberg mountains in
Lesotho, flowing westwards through South Africa to the
Atlantic Ocean. The river forms part of the international borders between South Africa and
Namibia and between South Africa and
Lesotho, as well as several provincial borders within South Africa. Except for
Upington, it does not pass through any major cities. The Orange River plays an important role in the South African economy by providing water for irrigation, as well as hydroelectric power. The river was named by
Robert Jacob Gordon after the Dutch Royal House.