South Africa
As the name suggests, South Africa lies in the southernmost region of the African continent. It is bordered by Namibia to the northwest, Botswana and Zimbabwe to the north, and Mozambique and Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) to the northeast. The nation has coastlines along both the Atlantic and Indian oceans.
Geographically, South Africa is a diverse country with a varied landscape. Spanning an area of 1.22 million km², it is the 24th biggest country worldwide. In fact, Lesotho is also completely enclaved by South Africa. The largest city in the country is Johannesburg covering a distance of 1,645 km².
Interestingly, South Africa is the only country that has 3 capital cities: Pretoria, Cape Town, and Bloemfontein. Each capital city is both strategically placed throughout the country and has its own branch of government.
Pretoria is the administrative or executive capital located in the northern part of the country in Gauteng Province. Cape Town is the legislative capital located on the southwestern coast of the country. And finally, Bloemfontein is the judicial capital located at the center of the country in the Free State province.
Heaven on Earth
South Africa has a seductive and alluring appeal that makes it a fabulous tourist destination. It is filled with adventure, offering such an extensive variety of activities for tourists throughout the year.
South Africa is famous for its breathtaking landscapes, first-world infrastructure, diverse wildlife, stunning beaches, famous natural reserves, sophisticated cities, unique cultural heritage, and golden savannas, forests, rivers, and deserts. It holds world records for the longest continuous wine route, the largest hot air balloon gathering, and the largest ostrich farm.
In a nutshell, South Africa is not only a home to many Guinness World Records, which are a testament to the country’s rich and fascinating culture but it is also an exciting tourist destination. A trip to this country is incredibly affordable, it would be a shame if you missed out.
Good to know
Country
South Africa
Visa requirements
E-visa is not required for Europeans. Everyone else needs a Visa
Languages spoken
English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhola, Ndebele, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga
Curency used
South African Rand
Area (km2)
1.22 million km²
Municipalities
South Africa has a constitutional democracy with a parliamentary system of government. The country is a republic with a three-tier system of government: national, provincial, and local. It is divided into nine provinces, each of which has its own provincial government.
The provinces are further divided into municipalities, which are responsible for providing basic services such as water, sanitation, and electricity. The national government is headed by the President, who is the head of state and government. The National Assembly, which is the lower house of Parliament, elects the president.