town, Eastern Cape province, South Africa. It lies along the Sundays River, in the arid upland plateau area called the Great Karoo. Founded in 1786 by one of the last governors of the Dutch East India Company, the town is well planned with many restored homes and public buildings constructed in the old Cape Dutch style of architecture. Graaff-Reinet is now a marketing centre for the surrounding sheep-raising area, and irrigated grapes and citrus fruits are also grown. Pop. (2001) 24,229.