Factsheet

1. Geography

• Location: Southern tip of the African continent
• Borders: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, and Lesotho (enclaved within South Africa)
• Area: Approximately 1,221,037 square kilometers
• Coastline: Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Indian Ocean to the east

2. Capital Cities

• Executive Capital: Pretoria
• Legislative Capital: Cape Town
• Judicial Capital: Bloemfontein

3. Population

• Population: Approximately 60 million (as of 2023)
• Ethnic Groups: Diverse population including Black South Africans, Coloureds, Whites, and Indians/Asians
• Languages: 11 official languages including Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, and English

4. Government

• Type: Constitutional democracy
• President: Head of state and government
• Parliament: Bicameral (National Assembly and National Council of Provinces)

5. Economy

• Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)
• Major Industries: Mining (gold, diamonds, platinum), agriculture, manufacturing, services, tourism
• GDP: Approximately $350 billion (2023 estimate)
• Key Exports: Precious metals, minerals, machinery, and agricultural products

6. Education

• Education System: Three-tier system (primary, secondary, tertiary)
• Notable Universities: University of Cape Town, University of the Witwatersrand, Stellenbosch University, University of Pretoria

7. Culture

• Cultural Diversity: Known as the "Rainbow Nation" for its multicultural diversity
• Key Cultural Symbols: Springbok (national animal), Protea (national flower)
• Music and Arts: Rich traditions in music, dance, and visual arts; influence of indigenous, colonial, and contemporary cultures

8. Tourism

• Major Attractions: Kruger National Park, Table Mountain, Cape Winelands, Robben Island, Garden Route
• World Heritage Sites: Robben Island, Cradle of Humankind, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park

9. Climate

• Varied Climate: Ranges from Mediterranean in the southwest to subtropical along the eastern coast and arid in the interior
• Seasons: Summer (November to February), Autumn (March to May), Winter (June to August), Spring (September to October)

10. History

• Colonial History: Dutch settlement in 1652, followed by British colonization
• Apartheid Era: Institutionalized racial segregation from 1948 to 1994
• Democratic Transition: 1994 marked the end of apartheid and the election of Nelson Mandela as the first Black president

11. National Holidays

• Freedom Day: April 27 (marks the first democratic elections in 1994)
• Heritage Day: September 24 (celebrates the nation's diverse cultural heritage)
• Youth Day: June 16 (commemorates the 1976 Soweto Uprising)
• Human Rights Day: March 21 (honors those who fought for democracy and human rights)

12. National Symbols

• Flag: The national flag consists of six colors (black, yellow, green, white, red, and blue)
• Anthem: "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" and "Die Stem van Suid-Afrika"
• Motto: "ǃke e: ǀxarra ǁke" (meaning "Diverse people unite" in the Khoisan language)

This fact sheet provides a comprehensive overview of South Africa, highlighting its geography, government, economy, culture, and significant aspects of its society.