Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape

World Heritage

South Africa

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Mapungubwe is located on the northern border of South Africa, linking Zimbabwe and Botswana. It is an open grassland at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shache rivers. Mapungubwe developed into the largest kingdom in the subcontinent until it was abandoned in the 14th century. What survives are the remains of a palace almost untouched and an entire settlement attached to it, as well as the remains of two early capital cities, all of which present an unparalleled picture of the development of social and political structures over more than 400 years.