Kimberley

a city of southern Africa. It is situated near the western boundary of the Orange River colony, 650 miles by rail north of Cape Town. Present population, about 30,000. It owes its reputation to the vicinity of several diamond mines, the most important known. The diamond excitement began here in 1870. Diamonds to the value of not less than $325,000,000 have been obtained here. Kimberley has taken its share in the struggle between the British and the Boers. In 1899 it was besieged by the Boers for four months, but was relieved finally by a force under General French.

See Diamond; Boers