South Africa Dennis Bland

Location South Africa Location: Southern most tip of Africa, bordering Botswana 1,840 km, Lesotho 909 km, Mozambique 491 km, Namibia 967 km, Swaziland 430 km, Zimbabwe 225 km Capital: Pretoria Population: 42,718,530

Geography South Africa The south and south-western parts of the plateau are known as the Great Karoo, which consists of sparsely populated scrubland. To the north of the Karoo is the drier and more arid Kalahari desert. The mid-eastern, and highest part of the plateau is known as the Highveld. This relatively well-watered area is home to a great proportion of the country’s commercial farmlands, and contains its largest conurbation (Gauteng Province). To the north of Highveld, from about the 30° S line of latitude, the plateau slopes downwards into the Bushveld, which ultimately gives way to the Limpopo lowlands or Lowveld.

Nature South Africa Animals: Numerous mammals are found in the bushveld, including lions, leopards, white rhinos, blue wildebeest, kudus, impalas, hyenas, hippopotam i and giraffes. Plants: With more than 20,000 different plants, or about 10% of all the known species of plants on Earth South Africa.

Religion and Languages of South Africa Religions: Christian 68% (includes most whites and Coloreds, about 60% of blacks and about 40% of Indians), Muslim 2%, Hindu 1.5% (60% of Indians), indigenous beliefs and animist 28.5% South Africa has eleven official languages: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Norther n Sotho, Sotho, Swazi, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, and Zulu.

South Africa Touristic Places Wild Coast Rugged and untamed, the Wild Coast offers deserted beaches, dolphins, horseback and hiking trails, cozy hotels, golf, gambling, mystical history, Xhosa heritage and the Hole-in-the-Wall.

Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve: Most famous for God’s Window, the panoramic splendor of the Blyde River Canyon makes it ideal for scenic drives and hiking trails. Soweto: South Africa’s largest and most famous township was a hotbed of anti-apartheid activity.

Robben Island: The island’s most famous prisoner, Nelson Mandela, has turned this institute of brutality into a symbol of the triumph of the human spirit over enormous hardship. Durban beachfront: For those with fun and sun on their minds, SA’s sunshine city has something for the whole family - golden beaches, surfing and a marine park.

Kruger National Park: This world-renowned park of nearly 2 million hectares features 16 ecosystems. Johannesburg: South Africa’s pulsating African heartbeat is felt in the ‘City of Gold’ with its endless opportunities for shopping, entertainment, freedom tours and eating out.

Garden Route: Known as South Africa’s Eden, the famous Garden Route traverses an area rich in natural beauty and charm, attracting adventure- seekers and outdoor enthusiasts. The Winelands: Discover the joys of SA’s award- winning wines and cuisine along any of the beautiful Cape wine routes, taking you through green valleys and historic towns.

Cape Town & Cape Peninsula: Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula up to Cape Point, are famous for scenic beauty; celebrity beaches; Table Mountain; whale-watching; world-class shopping, nightlife, food & wine; and a laid-back atmosphere.

Sources: Popular South African Attractions. (s.f.). Recuperado el 26 de febrero de 2014, de y/top-10-attractions-enus South África. (s.f.). Recuperado el 26 de Febrero de 2014, de South Africa - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. (s.f.). Recuperado el 26 de Febrero de 2014, de etiquette/south-africa-country-profile.html