South Africa: World Encyclopedia For Students & Children

Country: South Africa  – Republic of South Africa
System of government: Republic
Capital: Pretoria. the seat of the government; Cape Town, the seat of the legislature; Bloemfontein (judicial)
Location: In southern Africa, stretching between the Atlantic and the Indian oceans; sharing borders with Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and engulfing Lesotho. South Africa formally possesses two sub-antarctic islands, Prince Edward and Marion, and Walvis Bay, an enclave within Namibia administered with the latter by the republic
Area: 1,221,037 sq km
Population: (2026 est.) 63,419,000
National composition: Xhosa, Sotho, Zulu, Asians, s.c. Coloureds (people of mixed descent); the Europeans are mostly of Dutch descent (Afrikaners) or British descent
Religions: Animist, Christian, Hinduist
Official languages: Afrikaans, English
Currency: rand-100 cents
Administrative divisions: 4 historical provinces and 8 bantustans (‘homelands’ to the native Africans)
Other major cities: Johannesburg (conurbation pop. 1,600,000), Durban (pop.800,000)
Highest elevation: Cathkin Peak (3,181 m) in the Drakensberg
Chief rivers: Orange (Oranje), Vaal, Limpopo (at the border with Botswana and Zimbabwe), Tugela (with
a large hydroelectric scheme and spectacular falls, the highest in Africa)
Climate: Subtropical maritime along the coast, dry, semi-desert and desert type in the interior

Motto: “!ke e: /xarra //ke”
Literally translates to “diverse people unite” and is broadly interpreted as “unity in diversity“.
Anthem: National anthem of South Africa combines the Xhosa hymn “Nkosi Sikelel‘ iAfrika” and the Afrikaans song “Die Stem van Suid-Afrika”

South Africa Location Map:

The country is a high plateau descending into the Kalahari basin in the north. The Drakensberg Range stretches along the south-east. The plateau descends into the Great Karroo in the south-west. The desert and semi-desert areas are characterized by shrubs and succulents. Maritime areas and river valleys have a pleasant climate, fertile soils and sufficient rainfall. There are several national parks including the famous Kruger and Kalahari Gemsbok,

which are set apart for the protection of the indigenous wildlife, for example the zebra, antelope, giraffe, ostrich, baboon and rhinoceros.

South Africa is an advanced industrial country with enormous mineral deposits. Its economic potential is the greatest in Africa.

The country is one of the world’s leading producers of gold, diamonds, uranium, platinum, manganese, antimony and other metals. Coal is mined in large quantities.

The country’s modern industries include metallurgy, engineering, chemicals, textiles and car manufacturing.

Areas with sufficient rainfall provide excellent conditions for farming. The chief crops are maize, wheat,  groundnuts, sunflower and other oil seeds, citrus fruit, sugar cane, cotton, tobacco, orchard fruits and vegetables. Large herds of cattle and sheep are kept and many natives raise goats. Fishing and whaling contribute substantially to the economy.

The transport system is well developed and efficiently managed. Some railways are electrified, all main roads are bituminized and there is a dense system of internal air routes. The country has several large, modern international airports. Coastal and international shipping is very important, the largest port facilities being located in Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and East London.

Related Photos:

National Anthem: