Map
Source: CIA World Factbook
Summary Data
| summary data |
|
| Total Area (km2) |
1,219,912 |
| Land (km2) |
1,219,912 |
| Water (km2) |
0 |
| Population |
43,786,115 |
| Population Density (/km2) |
36 |
| Capital |
Pretoria |
| Religion (%) |
Zion Christian 11.1%
Pentecostal 8.2%
Catholic 7.1%
Methodist 6.8%
Dutch Reformed 6.7%
Anglican 3.8%
Muslim 1.5%
Other Christian 38%
Other 2.3%
Unspecified 1.4%
None 15.1% |
| Time |
GMT +2 |
| Climate |
Mostly semiarid; subtropical along the
east coast; sunny days, cool nights. |
Source: CIA World Factbook
Geography
South Africa makes up the southern tip of Africa, with the
Indian Ocean to its east and the Atlantic to its west. The country
borders Botswana, Mozambique, Nambia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe, and
completely encloses Lesotho. It is the world's 25th largest
country, and has a long coastline of over 2,500 kilometres. South
Africa has three geographical zones; plateau, mountains and a
relatively narrow coastal belt. The high plateau has sharp
escarpments, and most of it lacks water. The mountains run along
the coast from the Cape of Good Hope to the Limpopo Valley in the
northeast.
Although the country's climate is classified as semi-arid, it
varies hugely in climate as well as topography; from extreme desert
of the southern Namib in the northwest of the country, to the lush
subtropical climate in the west. There is also a
Mediterranean-like climate in the southwest. South Africa also has
one possession, the small sub-Antarctic archipelago of the Prince
Edward Islands, comprised of Marion Island and Prince Edward
Island.
Government
South Africa is a republic government, run by President Thabo
Mbeki who is both chief of state and head of government. South
Africa celebrates independence on three different days, with
Freedom Day being the national holiday on the 27th April. The South
African legal system is based on Roman-Dutch law and English common
law, inherited from the days of the country's previous
colonizers.
Language
IsiZulu 23.8%, IsiXhosa 17.6%, Afrikaans 13.3%, Sepedi 9.4%,
English 8.2%, Setswana 8.2%, Sesotho 7.9%, Xitsonga 4.4%, other
7.2% (2001 census)
Electricity
220/240 volts AC; 250 volts AC (Pretoria), 50Hz. Three-pin round
plugs are in use.
Passports/Visa
A passport valid for at least 30 days after the intended date of
departure is required by nationals from the US, UK, Australia,
Canada and the EU.
At least one blank page must remain in the passport for the
entry stamp, and if a visa is required then two blank pages must
remain, one for the visa and one for the entry stamp. People trying
to enter the country without the correct number of pages will be
turned away.
Visas
Visas are not required by nationals of Britain, Australia,
Canada and the US for stays of up to 90 days for business and
tourist purposes. This also applies to other EU nationals except
for nationals of Cyprus, Poland and the Slovak Republic who may
stay for up to 30 days, and nationals of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia,
Lithuania, Romania and Slovenia, who do require a visa (unless they
are transit passengers continuing their journey on the same or
first connecting aircraft).
Nationals of countries not mentioned above are advised to
contact the South African Embassy to obtain information about visa
requirements.
Proof of financial means may be required for a visa, while
unaccompanied children under 18 years old must carry written
consent from their parents.
Passport/Visa Information
South African High Commission in the UK:
South Africa House,
Trafalgar Square,
London WC2N 5DP, UK
Tel: (020) 7451 7299.
Website: www.southafricahouse.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700.
Airports and Airlines
Johannesburg/ Tambo International (JNB)
- Location: Johannesburg
- Time: GMT + 2
- Contact: +27 (0) 11 921 6262
- Transfer between the terminals: There are 6
terminals, arranged into international, domestic and transit.
- Transfer to the city: The Airport Shuttle
offers a good service to and from the airport (for a price), there
are airport accredited taxis and hotel shuttle services.
- Car rental: Car rental facilities are based
outside the airport in a separate building, opposite the domestic
terminal.
- Facilities: Banking, luggage storage,
conference facilities, disabled friendly, shopping, restaurants,
prayer rooms, medical and internet facilities.
- Parking: A variety of parking options are
available, including long term.
- Website:
http://www.airports.co.za/home.asp?pid=228&selAirport=jhb
Standard of Living
There is a huge disparity between the cost and standard of
living in the wealthier regions compared to the poverty-stricken
regions. Whilst the former could be classed as of Developed
World standard, the latter is most definitely still deemed
Developing. In the city areas popular with expatriates the cost of
living is not dissimilar to the main cities of the US, the UK,
Australia and parts of Europe. Food and wine tend to be cheaper
than in Western countries but 'luxury' items can be expensive. The
healthcare infrastructure can be varied in terms of quality; in
some areas it is very good, but all too often healthcare
institutions are overcrowded. South Africa enjoys a healthy
lifestyle with much outdoor living, but there are serious medical
issues to be aware of. However, all too often these issues are more
relevant to the non-white population and expatriates usually remain
unaffected.
Principal commercial centres and towns
Pretoria is the administrative capital of South Africa although
Johannesburg is the largest city.
| population by city/town 2007 |
|
| Johannesburg |
3,888,180 |
| Durban |
3,468,086 |
| Cape Town |
3,497,097 |
| Pretoria |
2,345,908 |
| Port Elizabeth |
737,600 |
| East London |
250,000 |
| Pietermaritzburg |
521,805 |
Source: Wikipedia
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