File:Orange River, Northern Cape, South Africa (MODIS 2021-08-04).jpg

English: On August 3, 2021, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board NASA’s Terra satellite acquired a true-color image of the green banks of the Orange River as it twists and tumbles across the spectacular ochres, reds, and tans of southwestern Africa.

The Orange River is the longest river in South Africa, stretching more than 2,200 kilometers (1,367 miles) from the headwaters in the Drakensberg Mountains in Lesotho to its outflow in the Atlantic Ocean. The flowing waters of the Orange River are a political divide, separating South Africa from Namibia along the western reaches of the river. The river also creates a geographical divide, with the rusty red sands of the Namib Desert almost reaching the northern banks while to the south the landscape becomes a rugged, semi-arid, rock-scape of the North Cape region of South Africa.

Each winter, from August to October, rains begin to fall on the otherwise dry North Cape. The refreshing precipitation brings a flush of color to the landscape, including a gorgeous bloom of wildflowers. The Namaqualand wildflower bloom includes daisies of various shades, lilies, aloes, perennial herbs and other rare flowers, all painting the arid land orange and green. Peak bloom is usually the second week of August and draws locals and foreign tourists alike to witness its spectacular beauty.