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South Africa Facts

South Africa is an amazingly diverse country with approximately 60 million inhabitants. Although one finds the wildness of unbeatable game safaris and the vastness of the desert areas, we have first world infrastructure – well maintained roads, luxury train travel and frequent reliable domestic flights. Our ancient rock age history is sharply juxtaposed with 5 star luxury hotels, world standard guest lodges and well run affordable guest houses.

A few interesting titbits of information on the Rainbow nation …

  • We are made up roughly of 78% African, 10% Caucasian, 9% people of mixed race and 2.5% Asian.
  • South Africa has a biodiversity which boasts one of the richest of the 6 floral kingdoms of the world, although by far the smallest. 23 200 species. 8500 indigenous species, 6000 found nowhere else on earth!
  • Vast varieties of birds, both endemic and migratory. 900 bird species (10% of the worlds total on 1% of the worlds land area!)
  • A sixth of the world’s marine species.
  • The largest mammal – elephant
  • The smallest mammal – shrew the size of a fingertip
  • The tallest mammal – giraffe
  • The fastest mammal – cheetah
  • The heaviest reptile – leather backed turtle
  • The largest antelope – eland
  • The largest bird – ostrich
  • The heaviest flighted bird– the Kori Bustard
  • 6000 spider species
  • 175 scorpion species
  • 100 snake varieties
  • The highest mountain in South Africa is Mafadi at 3 446 metres high.
  • Religion – 75% Christian (mostly Zion Christian church), 21% none and 4% Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and African traditional.
  • Sunshine – 7.5 to 9.5 hours a day (London 3.5 and New York 6.9)
  • Government – We have a federal system with a central government and 9 provinces. Our legal system is based on Roman Dutch law. Our 1994 constitution is one that makes us proud as one of the most democratic and progressive in the world, protecting the rights of women, children, freedom of speech and religion and all minorities. We have a Bicameral Parliament re-elected every five years. Parliament and Legislation is in Cape Town, Administration in Pretoria and the Judiciary is based in Bloemfontein. We have a National Assembly of 400 seats, a council of provinces with 90 seats and the government recognises traditional leaders as well.
  • Economy – Half the cars, phones, A T M s and industry of Africa is on 4% of the continent. With a GNP larger than Nigeria, Egypt and Kenya put together.
  • Major Exports – gold, minerals, diamonds, metals, metal products and food.
  • Imports – machinery, transport equipment, manufactured goods, chemicals and oil.
  • Major trading partners – Germany, USA, UK, China and Japan
  • Challenges – Unemployment, poverty, crime and AIDS
South Africa is better than TV.
William Gilbert
9 year old from England

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Vineyard Ventures creates private, personalised, all-inclusive tours of Cape Town and the Western Cape. We are wine specialists, and with almost 40 years experience our contacts in the industry can’t be matched.

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