Worcester is the capital of the Breede River Valley, a fertile inland area referred to locally as over the mountains This valley stretches from Gouda in the west and McGregor in the south, to Montagu in the east and the Karoo in the north The Breede River Valley is the largest fruit and wine producing area in the Western Cape and is the leading race-horse breeding area in the country This semi-arid area, which forms part of the Little Karoo, is known for its magnificent scenery and indigenous Fynbos and proteas Worcester was founded in 1822 after the amalgamation of two farms, Roodewal and Langerug The town was named after the brother of Lord Charles Somerset, the Marquis of Worcester The economy of Worcester functions.