The Country

South Africa is the world's strangest and most dramatic landscapes, a unique wealth of animal and plant life, a treasure of gold, diamonds and other minerals, and a kaleidoscope of fascinating cultures. Nature's tools of creation, the wind, sun, ice and rain, have worked a special magic. There are extremes of deserts, savannas, snow-covered mountains, grasslands, high forests and tropical mangrove swamps. Within these climatic zones, Earth's most diverse plant population flourishes. South Africa is also the home of big game, and birds as varied as its vast range.

South Africa's fascinating and diverse people are its greatest asset. It is often called the cradle of civilization, for this is where archaeologists discovered 2.5 million-year-old fossils of our earliest ancestors, as well as 100,000 year-old remains of modern man.

The 1996 census indicated that there were 40.58 million people in South Africa. Of these, 76.7% classified themselves as African; 10.9% as white; 8.9% as colored; and 2.6% as Indian/Asian. In 2000, its population was estimated at 43 million of which 22.7 million were women.

The People

The population consists of the following groups: the Nguni people (including the Zulu, Xhosa and Swazi), who account for two-thirds of the population; the Sotho-Tswana people, who include the Southern, Northern and Western Sotho (Tswana); the Tsonga; the Venda; Afrikaners; English; colored; Indians, and people who have immigrated from the rest of Africa, Europe and Asia.

Official Languages

The Constitution provides for 11 official languages:

Climate

South Africa is famous for its sunshine. Generally speaking, April and May are the most pleasant months. The subtropical location, on either side of 30° south latitude, accounts for the warm temperate conditions so typical of South Africa, making it a popular destination for foreign tourists. The country also falls squarely within the subtropical belt of high pressure, making it dry, with an abundance of sunshine.

The wide expanses of ocean on three sides have a moderating influence on its climate. More apparent, however, are the effects of the warm Agulhas and cold Benguela currents along the east and west coasts. While Durban (east coast) and Port Nolloth (west coast) lie near the same latitude, there is a difference of at least 42.8°F in their mean annual temperatures.

South Africa has an average annual rainfall of 18.26 inches, compared with a world average of 33.85 inches. In total, 65% of the country has an annual rainfall of less than 19.68 inches, usually regarded as the absolute minimum for successful dry land farming.

Almost 80% of South Africa's population adheres to the Christian faith. Other major religious groups are the Hindus, Muslims and Jews. A minority of the population does not belong to any of the major religions, but regard themselves as traditionalists or of no specific religious affiliation.

Religion

Freedom of worship is guaranteed by the Constitution, and official policy is one of noninterference in religious practices.

Temperatures

Despite a latitudinal span of 13 degrees, average annual temperatures are remarkably uniform throughout the country. Owing to the increase in the height of the plateau towards the northeast, there is hardly any increase in temperature from south to north.

The Land

The Republic of South Africa occupies the southernmost part of the African continent. It has common boundaries with the republics of Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, while the Republic of Mozambique and the Kingdom of Swaziland lie to the northeast, it’s southern territory is surrounded by the Atlantic and Indian oceans.