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 The Hottentots Holland Mountains in Western Cape Province. With an elevation of up to 1,590 m, they form a barrier between the Cape Town area and the southern Overberg coast. The Sir Lowry's Pass is the only crossing. Image: Abu Shawka |
___ South Africa Location map of South Africa The country covers an area of 1,221,000 km², compared it is larger than four times the size of Italy, or slightly less than twice the size of the U.S. state of Texas South Africa has a population of 55.9 million people (official estimate 2016), the country's administrative capital is Pretoria; legislative capital is Cape Town and the judicial capital is Bloemfontein (Mangaung), largest city is Johannesburg. SA has 11 official languages: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Sotho, Swazi, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, and Zulu. Most spoken first languages are Zulu (isiZulu - 23%), Xhosa (isiXhosa - 16.0%), and Afrikaans (13.4%). |
Republic of South Africa |
Country Profile |
Background: Often called 'the rainbow nation', South Africa is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in Africa. It was inhabited by pastoral Khoekhoe (Khoi), the hunter-gatherer San, the Xhosa, and the Zulu nations and various other indigenous tribes, when Dutch settlers arrived in middle of the 17th century, much to the disadvantage of the Khoekhoe along the southern and western coastal strips. What followed was an aggressive colonial expansion for centuries mainly of settlers of Dutch, German and French Huguenot origin. In 1795 the British took over the Cape from the Dutch, seven years later the colony was returned to the Dutch government, only to come under British rule again in 1806, this circumstance and the rise to power of the Zulu king Shaka, forcing many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) to trek north and east to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants until the end of the 20th century. The 1990s brought an end to apartheid with South Africa's transition to democracy and with Nelson Mandela's inauguration as SA's first democratically elected President 1994. related countries: United Kingdom, Netherlands |
Official Name: Republic of South Africa short form: South Africa former: Union of South Africa. South Africa's name in native (official) languages: Afrika Borwa (Pedi, seSotho, Tswana) Afrika Dzonga (Tsonga) Afurika Tshipembe (Venda) Mzantsi Afrika (isiXhosa) Ningizimu Afrika (siSwati, isiZulu) Suid-Afrika (Afrikaans) ISO Country Code: za, zaf Time: Local Time = UTC +2h Actual Time: Mon-Sept-25 11:49 Country Calling Code: +27 Capital City: Pretoria (administrative) Bloemfontein (Mangaung) (judicial center) Mangaung Local Municipality; (the city's name in seSotho is Mangaung). Cape Town (legislative center) Other Cities: Johannesburg, Durban (Thekwini), Nelspruit, Polokwane, Port Elizabeth Government: Type: Republic Independence: 31 May 1910 (from UK); South Africa became a republic in 1961. Constitution: 1996 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Geography: Location: Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the African continent. Area: 1.2 million km² (470,462 sq. mi). Terrain: plateau, savanna, desert, mountains, coastal plains. Climate: moderate, mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; similar to southern California. People: Nationality: South African(s). Population: (2016) 55.9 million; black 78%; white 10%; colored 9%; Asian (Indian) 2.5%; other. Languages: (11 official languages) Sesotho sa Leboa 9.2%, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati (Swazi), Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Afrikaans 14,4%, English 8.6%, isiNdebele, isiXhosa 17.9%, isiZulu 22.9%. Religions: Predominantly Christian; traditional African believes, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish. Natural resources: South Africa is rich of natural resources: Gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas. Agriculture products: Corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; beef, poultry, mutton, wool, dairy products. Industries: Mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textile, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs. Exports - commodities: gold, diamonds, platinum, other metals and minerals, machinery and equipment Exports - partners: China 11.3%, USA 7.3%, Germany 6%, Namibia 5.2%, Botswana 5.2%, Japan 4.7%, UK 4.3%, India 4.2% (2015) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum products, scientific instruments, foodstuffs. Imports - partners: China 17.6%, Germany 11.2%, USA 6.7%, Nigeria 5%, India 4.7%, Saudi Arabia 4.1% (2015) Currency: South African Rand (ZAR) South Africa in numbers Key statistic figures South Africa. |
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Note: External links will open in a new browser window. Official Sites of South AfricaSouth Africa is a constitutional democracy with a three-tier system of government (the legislature, an executive) and an independent judiciary. The President is both head of state and head of government. The lower house of Parliament, the National Assembly, consists of 400 members and is elected every five years. 
South African GovernmentOfficial entry point to the Government of South Africa. The Parliament of South Africa Official site of South Africa's Parliament. SouthAfrica.info Official Gateway to South Africa. South Africa Government Online Official South African government gateway. Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Republic of South Africa Responsible for all aspects of South Africa's foreign policy. Diplomatic Missions Embassy of the Republic of South Africa Berlin, Germany Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations South Africa's Representation to the United Nations. South African Embassy, Washington DC The embassy site provides also information about South Africa. Web sites of SA Missions Web sites of South Africa's embassies, consulates and high commissions abroad. Foreign Representation in South Africa Foreign Diplomatic Missions in South Africa. Statistics Stats SA Statistics South Africa. Weather South African Weather Service More governmental institutions National Departments of South AfricaList of links to South Africa's National departments and governmental institutions. Maps Map of South AfricaDetailed Map of South Africa. Map of South Africa ProvincesSouth Africa's Provinces Map.  Google
Earth South AfricaSearchable satellite view of South Africa. Capitals South Africa: Google
Earth PretoriaSearchable satellite view of Pretoria. Google
Earth BloemfonteinSearchable satellite view of Bloemfontein. Google
Earth Cape TownSearchable satellite view of Cape Town. Political Map
of AfricaThe 54 countries of Africa. Map
of AfricaA Relief Map of Africa.  Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga cuts through the Drakensberg Mountains. Image: Dr. Thomas Wagner |
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South Africa NewsGovernment Communication and Information System Government-related news, features & information. Business Day Business news. Cape Argus Cape Town's daily. Cape Times Daily, published since 1876, Cape Town. City Press The peoples paper, daily news. Daily Mail & Guardian National and international news. Independent Online South African and world news. News24 South African and international news. Pretoria News Independent daily newspaper, first published in 1898, Pretoria. Sunday Times South African weekly newspaper. The Star Published in Johannesburg. TV/Radio SABCnews.com Online news from South Africa's national broadcaster. |
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Arts & Cultureartslink.co.za More Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment news. Artthrob Online magazine on contemporary culture and art in South Africa. Museums Online South Africa A guide to South Africa's museums. Pretoria Art Museum Museum for contemporary art South African Arts, Culture and Heritage A guide to music, fine arts, theatre, literature architecture and more. |
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Business & EconomySouth Africa is a middle-income country with a rich supply of natural resources, with well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy and transport sectors. But unemployment, poverty and inequality - among the highest in the world - are still a challenge. South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Privately owned central bank of South Africa, the issuing bank was established in 1921, it is the oldest central bank in Africa. Johannesburg Stock Exchange JSE JSE Limited based in Sandton, Gauteng, is Africa's oldest and largest stock exchange. South Africa's Chambers of Commerce and Industry South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) SACCI is the head organization for almost 50 constituent chambers in South Africa, SACCI is headquartered in Johannesburg. Cape Chamber of Commerce & Industry Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the oldest member-based business organization in Africa, established in 1804. Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry Johannesburg based business network. South Africa's Major CompaniesBanks and mobile telecommunication companies are among the top brands in South Africa.Banks Standard Bank Standard Bank Group with its headquarters in Johannesburg is one of South Africa's largest financial services groups with activties in 20 African countries and other key markets around the world. First National Bank (FNB) First National Bank, a division of First Rand Limited, one of the largest financial institutions in South Africa, operating in nine key African countries. Barclays Africa Group Trading as ABSA Group is a South African subsidiary of Barclays Bank Plc. Nedbank One of South Africa's "big four" banks, originally founded in 1888 in Amsterdam, Netherlands as 'Nederlandsche Bank voor Zuid-Afrika'. Energy Sasol South African Coal Oil and Gas Corporation is an energy and chemical company based in Johannesburg, it is the world’s first – and largest – oil-from-coal refinery. Retail Woolworths (SA) One of the largest South African chain of retail stores. Telecommunication MTN MTN Group, headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa is a multinational mobile telecommunications company with operations in many African, European and Asian countries. Vodacom Vodacom Group Limited is an African mobile communications company. Cell C Cell C Ltd is a South African mobile company headquartered in Randburg (Johannesburg). Transportation Airline South African Airways (SAA) The national carrier. Railroad Blue Train South African luxury train. Rovos Rail Another luxurious train. South African Railways South African Railways Info page. |
 Rainbow over Natal Watsonia © South African Tourism |
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Travel and Tour Consumer Information
Destination South Africa - Travel and Tour GuidesDiscover South Africa The South Africa Tourism Board official guide to tourism South Africa. Cape Country Info Southern African Travel Portal. The Garden Route Western Cape overberginfo.com Comprehensive information about the Overberg region on the Southernmost tip of Africa. Southern Africa Places A tourism guide to Africa's South. Tonight Event and entertainment guide. tourism.co.za The digital guide to South Africa. City Guides Bloemfontein (Mangaung) (judicial center) Mangaung Local Municipality; (the city's name in seSotho is Mangaung). Cape Town Official website of the Cioty of Cape Town. Durban (Thekwini) eThekwini Municipality, the official web site of Durban. Johannesburg The official City of Jo'burg website. South
Africa's ProvincesA guide to South Africa's Provinces. |
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EducationUniversity of Fort HareThe oldest historically black university in Southern and Eastern Africa, founded in 1916. University of Natal University of Pretoria University of South Africa University of the Witwatersrand More South African Universities will be found in the Guide
to South Africa's Provinces |
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Environment & NatureKruger National ParkA comprehensive guide to one of the most famous game and nature reserve of Africa. South African National Parks Official website of the South African National Parks (SANParks). WildNet Africa A wildlife and travel portal. |
 African Elephants © Rovos Rail |
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HistoryPeople who shaped South Africa's History: Jan van Riebeeck, Paul Kruger, Daniel François Malan, Oliver Tambo, Hendrik Verwoerd, Steve Biko, P. W. Botha, F. W. de Klerk, Joe Slovo, Chris Hani, Winnie Mandela, Eugene Terreblanche, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu. Read more in History of South Africa from the European Arrival until the Republic of South Africa |
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SearchAnanziThe South African Search Engine and Directory. Sources and additional Information on South Africa
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Other Countries of Southern Africa: Botswana | Lesotho | Namibia | Swaziland Maps of other Countries of Southern Africa: Botswana Map | Namibia Map | Swaziland Map Searchable Maps of other Countries of Southern Africa: Botswana Interactive Map | Lesotho Interactive Map | Namibia Interactive Map | Swaziland Interactive Map Other major Cities in Southern Africa: Gaborone | Lobamba | Maseru | Mbabane | Windhoek |
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