Republic of South Africa Travel Information

CLICKABLE MAP OF SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa

The one of it's kind country in the world where highly developed technology and the 21st century lifestyle co-exist with the unchanged Africa, as discovered centuries ago. A visit to South Africa, often described, as "the world in one country" is an unforgettable experience for those who arrive in Johannesburg or Cape Town for the first time. From skiing in the Maluti mountains to subtropical climate of the Natal Coast one can find here everything to make the unforgettable holiday. Exclusive safari lodges in private game reserves adjoining the Kruger Park are world renown. Sabie Sabie has been recently voted the best private safari lodge in the world. Wonderfully designed hotels where the latest building technology combined with African art and interior design create a sense of being totally submersed in the nature. Sculptured deep into the earth, almost invisible in the landscape, inspired by the textures, colours and shapes of the natural world: The Knysna, Drakensberg, Garden Route, Namaqua and many others are known in the world as the unique escape places from the crazy stampede of the contemporary life. Most of the lodges are equipped with latest conference and training facilities to conduct international conferences. One can easily imagine the situation where the important business decisions are made while watching the herd of elephants slowly moving to the water hole next to the terrace where you have just had your breakfast. The lovers of the warm sea will find endless resorts situated North and South of Durban with incredible secluded white sandy beaches, tens of meters wide. Cape Town, considered by many as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, along with Rio and Sydney, is the fronton of Europe in the African context. The vineyards of Paarl and Stellenbosch around Cape Town, where one of the best wine in the world is made, ravish with the magnificent scenery of typical Cape-Dutch buildings and farms, amalgamated into the rows of grape-vine climbing onto the surrounding picturesque mountains. In addition, the legendary Cape of the Good Hope, Table Mountain, botanical garden of Kirstenbosch, exclusive restaurants, elegant hotels and the unique nature of the Capetonians, make this spot in Africa absolutely unique. South Africa is a magnificent kingdom of animals. In the National Parks, which cover the total area of 8 mln hectares we can admire all species of sub-Saharan fauna and flora, inclusive of the "big five": elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo.

Full country name: The Republic of South Africa
Area: 1,221,037 sq km
Population: 48.1 million
Capitals: Pretoria (administrative); Bloemfontein (judicial) and Cape Town (legislative).
People: 77% black, 10% white (60% of whites are of Afrikaner descent, most of the rest are of British descent), 8% mixed race, 2.5% of Indian or Asian descent.
Languages: Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Pedi, English, Tswana, Sotho, Tsonga, Swati, Venda, Ndebele.
Religion: Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and traditional religions.
Government: Republic and independent member of the British Commonwealth

President: Thabo Mbeki
GDP: US$146 billion
GDP per head: US$2133
Annual growth: 4%
Inflation: 3.8%
Major industries: Mining, finance, insurance, food processing
Major trading partners: USA, UK, Germany, Japan, Italy

Republic of South Africa Travel Information

South Africa

RSA

South African Flag

Cape Town drops away as the cable car glides up the face of Table Mountain, rotating slowly through 360 deg.

CLICKABLE MAP OF SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa