M.Sc. / The objectives of this thesis were to map, categorise and document the peat resources of Maputaland in terms of: • extent and distribution of peat occurrences • description of peat types • a proximate analysis of the energy content • chronology: C 14 ages and accumulation rates • utilisation of the peat resource. The study area is situated in Maputaland, on the northern KwaZulu-Natal coastline and is confined by the South African-Mozambique boundary in the north, the Indian Ocean in the east, the Mfolozi River in the south and the Lebombo Mountains in the west. Peatlands were identified and delineated on 1 :50 000 maps and aerial photographs. Peat cores were taken to describe peat profiles and cross-sections. The physical characteristics of the peat were described in the field according to colour, moisture content, fibre length and fibre content and compared with the Von Post humification scale. Selected samples were C14 dated and the C14 ages used to determine peat accumulation rates and to characterise the peatlands together with calorific value (MJ/kg) (air-dried samples) and proximate analysis. Two hundred and sixty-six peatlands were investigated during this study. Peat thicknesses varies from 0.5 to 10m and wetlands vary in size from a few hectares up to 8 800 ha. The peat resource is inferred to be 158-million m3 moist peat and it comprises 60% of South Africa's peat. Peatlands occur in areas where the rainfall exceeds 600 mm/year and at elevations between sea level and 50 m above mean sea level.