Total area: 1,219,912 sq km (471,008 sq mi)
Population (2009 est.): 49,052,489
Administrative capital (2003 est.): Pretoria, 1,541,300 (metro area)
Legislative capital: Cape Town, 3,140,600 (metro area)
Largest city: Johannesburg, 7,151,400 (metro area)
Languages: IsiZulu 23.8%, IsiXhosa 17.6%, Afrikaans 13.3%, Sepedi 9.4%, English 8.2%, Setswana 8.2%, Sesotho 7.9%, Xitsonga 4.4%, other 7.2% (2001)
Religions: Zion Christian 11%, Pentecostal/Charismatic 8%, Catholic 7%, Methodist 7%, Dutch Reformed 7%, Anglican 4%, other Christian 36%, Islam 2%, none 15% (2001)
Currency: Rand
Time zone: GMT+2 (no daylight saving time)
Electricity: 220/230V AC (mostly plugs have 3 round pins - "South African" plug)
The Republic of South Africa is a country located at the southern tip of Africa. The South African coast stretches 2,798 kilometres (1,739 mi) and borders both the Atlantic and Indian oceans. To the north of South Africa lie Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, to the east are Mozambique and Swaziland, while the Kingdom of Lesotho is an independent enclave surrounded by South African territory.
South Africa is a parliamentary democracy and is in many respects a developed country, although much of its population lives in poverty. All major urban areas have modern, world-class hotels and tourist facilities. Game parks and areas most often visited by tourists have a wide range of facilities. Food and water are generally safe, and a wide variety of consumer goods and pharmaceuticals are readily available. The capital is Pretoria, while the seat of parliament is located in Cape Town. Johannesburg is the financial capital and largest city in South Africa. Durban is home to Africa’s busiest port and is the number one tourist destination for South Africans.
