Hundreds of thousands of people became caught up in 19thcentury gold fever
The California Gold Rush of the mid-19th century transformed the west coast of America, as hundreds of thousands of people flocked to that territory hoping to strike it rich. And California wasn’t alone. New Zealand, South Africa, Chile and Australia are just a handful of countries that also welcomed countless wouldbe prospectors during this period. In this month’s cover feature, we explore the experiences of the men and women who succumbed to gold fever – from the often lonely and miserable experiences of life in a gold mining town, to the impact of the trade on indigenous communities. Find out more from page 26.