South Africa!
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Photographer
Unknown |
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South Africa is one of the most diverse and enchanting countries in the
world. Exotic combinations of landscapes, people, history and culture
offer the traveller a unique and inspiring experience. Here are the quick
facts to get you started.
Location. South
Africa is located on the southern tip of the African continent, bordered
by northern neighbours Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It
encompasses the independent mountain kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland
and is flanked by the Atlantic Ocean on the west and the warm Indian Ocean
on the east - giving the country its spectacular range of biodiversity.
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Photo
by Walter Knirr |
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Size. South
Africa occupies 4% of the continent's total landmass, covering an area
of 1 221 040 square kilometres. The country is five times larger than
Great Britain and three times the size of Texas.
Climate.
South Africa enjoys a temperate and pleasant climate, with lovely warm
sunny days most of the year. The seasons of the southern hemisphere are
opposite to those in the northern hemisphere so our summers runs from
November to February, when most of the country is characterised by hot
weather with afternoon thunderstorms. Winters are generally mild and dry.
South Africa enjoys one of the world's highest average daily hours of
sunshine - 8.5 compared with 3.8 in London, 6.4 in Rome and 6.9 in New
York.
People.
South Africa is home to some 43 million people - a colourful population
as diverse in makeup as the country's geography is varied. Almost 77%
are black (or African), 11% white and 9% "coloured", the local
label for people of mixed African, Asian and white descent. Just over
half the population live in the cities. Three-quarters are Christian and
most of the other major world religions are represented here.
Language.
There are 11 officially recognised languages, most of them indigenous
to South Africa. English is one of these, and everywhere you go, you can
expect to find people who speak and understand it. English is the language
of the cities, of commerce and banking, of government and official documents.
Road signs and official forms are in English. The President makes his
speeches in English and at any hotel, the service staff will speak English.
Provinces & Major Cities.
South Africa is divided into nine provinces, namely Eastern Cape, Free
State, Gauteng, KwaZulu- Natal, Limpopo, Mpumulanga, Northern Cape, North
West and the Western Cape. Major cities include the modern economic hub
of Johannesburg, coastal Cape Town picturesquely perched between mountain
and sea, historic Pretoria and the 'sun and surf central' city of Durban.
Below is a map of the states of
South Africa. This article will cover the country from north to south.
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