The Richtersveld is one of the most remote and least explored regions of South Africa; it is also one of the richest in terms of both biological and mineral wealth. Tucked away on the Atlantic coast in the far northwest corner of South Africa, the Richtersveld's northern and eastern borders are defined by the 'big bend' of the Orange River, with the desolate Atlantic shores defining its western edge, flanked by the freezing waters of the Benguela Current. The region forms part of Namaqualand, which was home to the Nama people long before Europeans first landed at the Cape.