South Africa occupies the southernmost tip of the African continent, bordered by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. It is known for its remarkable biodiversity, including the iconic Kruger National Park, and for its complex history of apartheid followed by a landmark transition to democracy. The country is one of Africa's most diverse nations, with eleven official languages.
- Capital
- Pretoria
- Continent
- Africa
- Region
- Southern Africa
- Area
- 1,221,037 km²
- Coordinates
- 29° S, 24° E
- Languages
- Afrikaans, English, Southern Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
- Currency
- ZAR R
- Domain
- .za
- Calling code
- +27
On the world map
Bordering countries
Botswana
Eswatini
Lesotho
Mozambique
Namibia
ZimbabweCountry facts
- South Africa has eleven official languages, more than almost any other country in the world.
- The country is home to three of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites related to human origins, including the Cradle of Humankind.
- Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first democratically elected president in 1994 after 27 years in prison.
- South Africa is the only country to have voluntarily dismantled its own nuclear weapons program.
- The national animal is the springbok, a graceful antelope that also serves as the emblem of the national rugby team.
Capital facts
- Pretoria is one of South Africa's three capitals, serving as the executive capital where the presidency is based.
- The city is nicknamed the Jacaranda City because thousands of jacaranda trees line its streets and bloom purple each spring.
- The Union Buildings, designed by Herbert Baker and completed in 1913, serve as the official seat of the South African government.
- Pretoria was founded in 1855 and named after Voortrekker leader Andries Pretorius.
- The city is home to the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, one of the largest zoos on the continent.