South Africa

South Africa sits at the southern tip of Africa, stretching from the Indian to the Atlantic Ocean across coastal areas, mountain ranges, bushveld, and desert landscapes. The territory covers roughly 1.22 million square kilometers with climate zones ranging from subtropical regions in the east to drier areas inland.

After decades of legally enforced racial separation, the first democratic elections took place in 1994, allowing all citizens to vote. This ballot led to a new constitution and marked the transition to a parliamentary republic under the leadership of Nelson Mandela.

The national flag displays six colors in a Y-shaped pattern symbolizing the coming together of different communities, visible across the country since 1994. Cities and towns carry names from several African languages as well as Dutch and British heritage, visible on street signs and public spaces.

Pretoria hosts the government offices, Cape Town houses the parliament, and Bloemfontein serves as the site of the supreme court, meaning central institutions are spread across multiple cities. Travelers should note that distances between major places can be substantial and seasons in the southern hemisphere are reversed from those in the north.

Near Cape Town grows an exceptionally dense plant area with about 9000 species in a small space, recognized as its own floral kingdom. This concentration surpasses other regions worldwide and becomes visible in the diversity along coastal slopes and valleys.

Inception: May 31, 1910

Capital city: Pretoria

Elevation above the sea: 1,037 m

Part of: Southern Africa

Shares border with: Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Mozambique

Address: South Africa

Website: https://gov.za

GPS coordinates: -28.81662,24.99164

Latest update: December 4, 2025 17:20