South Africa, Nation at the southern extremity of Africa.
Description
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.
History
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.
Culture
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.
Practical
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.
Did you know?
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.
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South Africa offers very different landscapes, from the windy Cape to the blue mountains of the Drakensberg. You can spend a morning on the Table Mountain, an evening watching whales in Hermanus, and in between, explore red trails, deep canyons, lagoons, and vineyards. The nature parks host large...
Vredefort crater
319 km
Table Mountain
847.4 km
Robben Island
839.2 km
Cradle of Humankind
412.6 km
Soccer City Stadium
412 km
Cape Town Stadium
843.4 km
Fynbos
865.1 km
Square Kilometre Array
405.7 km
Voortrekker Monument
462.3 km
Blombos Cave
718.3 km
Castle of Good Hope
843.8 km
Kyalami
436.9 km
Union Buildings
467.7 km
The Leonardo
427.5 km
Gold Reef City
414 km
Carlton Centre
418.8 km
Boulders Beach
862.2 km
Bo-Kaap
844.5 km
Tugela Falls
380.8 km
Blyde River Canyon
747.2 km
Rising Star Cave
424.7 km
Lion's Head
847.2 km
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
848 km
National Library of South Africa
844.4 km
Cape Floristic Kingdom
865.1 km
Val de Vie Estate
797.8 km
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
568.3 km
Sterkfontein
413.1 km
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