About South Africa
As a destination, South Africa is multi-faceted - never just one thing at any one time. From the people, to the landscapes to the abundant wildlife we have so much to inspire and enthral.
Our incredible diversity is a key attraction - from the deserts of the Kgalagadi to the lush green forests of Tsitsikamma to the unspoilt beaches of the Wild Coast to the vibrant nightlife of Joburg - South Africa has it all.
South Africa truly is a ground-breaking destination for explorers and adventurers who want to experience life in all its fullness. We're a destination that allows you to scratch below the surface and experience endless possibilities, and to walk away the richer for having been here. We can't wait to welcome you to our Rainbow Nation
When you first consider a trip to our neck of the woods, you're bound to want some facts about South Africa at your fingertips. Here are some of the basics.
Geography:
Situated at the southern tip of Africa, South Africa has a landmass of 1 233 404 km² edged on 3 sides by a nearly 3000km coastline washed by the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic. It is bordered in the north by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, and also wraps itself around two independent countries, the Lesotho and Swaziland.
There are nine spectacular provinces for you to explore - nine incredibly diverse parts of the country that will open up your sense of possibility in ways you never thought possible.
Infrastructure:
We are extremely proud of our superb infrastructure - excellent roads, modern airports, exciting shopping malls, a great variety of accommodation options and world-class service.
Climate:
South Africa enjoys a sensational (with over 300 days of sunshine per year in some parts).
Capital:
South Africa has 3 capitals: Cape Town (Legislative), Pretoria (Administrative and Bloemfontein (Judicial).
Political system:
A well-known fact about South Africa is that since 1994 we have enjoyed democratic government, the apartheid policies of the past overthrown. Our constitution is regarded as an example to the world, and enshrines a wide scope of human rights protected by an independent judiciary. The country is headed by a State President, Jacob Zuma, of the African National Congress (ANC).
Economy:
A lesser-known fact on South Africa is that it has achieved steady economic growth in gross domestic product (GDP) since the late 90s. The country, regarded as an emerging market, has a well developed financial sector and active stock exchange. Financial policies have focused on building solid macroeconomic structures. The country's central bank is the Reserve Bank.
Tourism:
Since the demise of apartheid, international tourist arrivals have surged, making tourism one of the fastest growing sectors. The tourism industry is well-established with an exciting sector of emerging entrepreneurs. The country is strong on adventure, sport and wildlife travel.
Population:
The South African population of 47m people thereabouts is extremely diverse, as our 11 official languages will attest to. Black groups constitute the largest portion of the population at 80%. Whites, Coloureds & Asians make up the balance.
Languages:
South Africa has 11 official languages. English is widely spoken
Currency exchange guide [2011/07/10]:
· R/US$ 6.73
· R/€ 9.61
· R/Br£ 10.82
NB - the above rates are a rough guide only and should always be confirmed.
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