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| Borderline map of South Africa | Location map of South Africa | Flag of South Africa |
Google Maps and Detailed Facts of South Africa (ZA). This page lets you explore South Africa and its border countries (Country Location: Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa) through detailed Satellite imagery – fast and easy as never before Google Maps.
Find comprehensive information about this country’s diversity below: Google Maps, geography, economy, science, people, culture, environment, government, and history – All in One Wiki page.
There is also a Street View and free Driving Directions at your service. Your Google Satellite Map Sightseeing in South Africa, Africa, starts here at Driving Directions and Maps.com.
South Africa Google Maps & Satellite Maps
The map below shows South Africa with its cities, towns, highways, main roads, streets, and Street Views. To find a location, use the form below, type any city or place, view a simple map, and click the “show map” button.
The Google Maps above shows South Africa with its location: Africa (geographic coordinates: 29 00 S, 24 00 E) and the international borders of South Africa; total: 5,244 km. Border countries (total: 6): Botswana 1,969 km, Lesotho 1,106 km, Mozambique 496 km, Namibia 1,005 km, Swaziland 438 km, Zimbabwe 230 km; furthermore, it’s inland counties boundaries.
Hint: Look at the Street view in South Africa or Africa. All you have to do is drag and pull the little yellow man (named: Pegman) on the Google Maps above the desired location. After that, whenever it is available (more than 50 countries globally), blue stripes will appear to show the photos and details from Google’s regularly updated data image base. In case if you have signed in to your Google account currently, you may have a look at the satellite map of this country/area as well.
The map of South Africa, Africa, is for informational use only. No representation is made or warrantied given any map or its content by Driving Directions and Maps site. The user assumes all risks of using this South Africa Google Maps and facts/wiki.
About South Africa in detail
Where is South Africa?
In case South Africa is looking on the map under the Coordinates 25 42 S28 13 E otherwise in Africa, in Southern Africa, at the southern tip of Africa’s continent.
What is the capital city of South Africa?
The capital city of South Africa is Pretoria.
What is the time in Pretoria?
It is 7 hours ahead of Washington, D.C. during Standard Time; Pretoria’s timezone is UTC+2.
What is the Internet code for South Africa?
The Top Level Domain (TLD) for South Africa is: .za
What is the size of South Africa?
The territory of South Africa is total: 1,219,090 sq km; land: 1,214,470 sq km, water: 4,620 sq km.
If we want to describe the size of the territory of South Africa is slightly less than twice the size of Texas.
If we would like to walk around and discover South Africa, we can cover a total distance: 5,244 km.
What is the water coverage of South Africa?
We have already mentioned what percentage of South Africa is covered by water (see below), including a 2,798 km coastline.
What is the climate like in South Africa?
The climate of South Africa is mostly semiarid: subtropical along the east coast: sunny days, cold nights.
Geographical data of South Africa
The elevation of South Africa; mean elevation: 1,034 m, elevation extremes; lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m, highest point: Njesuthi 3,408 m.
The specific geographical details of South Africa include a vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and a narrow coastal plain.
Suppose we would like to describe the countries location from a different perspective. In that case, it is safe to say, and easy to read from a map, South Africa is South Africa surrounds Lesotho and almost surrounds Swaziland.
Resources and land use of South Africa
The country’s main mined products are gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, rare earth elements, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas. The population partly uses the earlier highlighted land territory and partly left in its natural state: agricultural land: 79.4%; arable land 9.9%; permanent crops 0.3%; permanent pasture 69.2%; forest: 7.6%; other: 13% (2011 estimate).
Population data of South Africa
The number of inhabitants of South Africa is 54,300,704 (July 2016 estimate).
If we examine the proportion of the population distribution, it is safe to say that N/A.
If we look at the proportion of the urbanized and barely populated areas, these are the figures: urban population: 64.8% of the total population (2015).
Most of the population in South Africa is concentrated in Johannesburg (includes Ekurhuleni) 9.399 million; Cape Town (legislative capital) 3.66 million; Durban 2.901 million; PRETORIA (capital) 2.059 million; Port Elizabeth 1.179 million; Vereeniging 1.155 million (2015).
Ethnicity in South Africa
According to ethnicity details, the ethnic groups are black African 80.2%, white 8.4%, colored 8.8%, Indian/Asian 2.5% note: color is a term used in South Africa, including on the national census mixed-race ancestry (2014 estimate).
Spoken languages in South Africa
The spoken languages in South Africa are the following: IsiZulu (official language) 22.7%, IsiXhosa (official language) 16%, Afrikaans (official language) 13.5%, English (official language) 9.6%, Sepedi (official language) 9.1%, Setswana (official language) 8%, Sesotho (official language) 7.6%, Xitsonga (official language) 4.5%, siSwati (official language) 2.5%, Tshivenda (official language) 2.4%, isiNdebele (official language) 2.1%, sign language 0.5%, other 1.6% (2011 estimate).
What are the most important religions in South Africa?
During the general census, researchers examine the churches, according to this: Protestant 36.6% (Zionist Christian 11.1%, Pentecostal/Charismatic 8.2%, Methodist 6.8%, Dutch Reformed 6.7%, Anglican 3.8%), Catholic 7.1%, Muslim 1.5%, other Christian 36%, other 2.3%, unspecified 1.4%, none 15.1% (2001 census).
Further population data of South Africa
The proportion of gender and age tells a lot about the society as follows 0-14 years: 28.34% (male 7,718,511 / female 7,667,830) 15-24 years: 18.07% (male 4,865,807 / female 4,943,707) 25-54 years: 41.44% (male 11,372,944 / female 11,130,874) 55-64 years: 6.59% (male 1,662,874 / female 1,915,908) 65 years and over: 5.57% (male 1,269,551 / female 1,752,698) (2016 estimate). It also a significant factor in a society the population growth rate, which in the case of South Africa is 0.99% (2016 estimate).
The population growth rate is based on two elements, the birth and the death rate. In South Africa the birth rate is 20.5 births / 1,000 population (2016 estimate), the death rate 9.6 deaths / 1,000 population (2016 estimate).
In this day and age in developed societies, the first child borns later compared to the previous centuries and decades, so childbearing is extended. In South Africa, the average age of mothers at the first childbirth is N/A.
Although the children’s birth is postponed in the best-case scenario, the parents can still see their kids grow as life expectancy also extended. In the case of South Africa, these figures are. With the introduction of modern medicine, vaccinations, and the proper hygienic conditions, the infant mortality rate is in a steep decline. The infant mortality statistics in South Africa are the following: N/A. Relevant data is the budget of healthcare, which is in the case of this country is 8.8% of GDP (2014).
Economic data of South Africa
Suppose we would like to describe a country, we also have to mention its economy; South Africa is a middle-income emerging market with an abundant supply of natural resources; well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors; and a stock exchange that is Africa’s most extensive and among the top 20 in the world. Economic growth has decelerated in recent years, slowing to just 1.5% in 2014. Unemployment, poverty, and inequality – among the highest in the world – remain a challenge. South Africa’s economic policy has focused on controlling inflation; however, the country faces structural constraints that also limit economic growth, such as skills shortages, declining global competitiveness, and frequent work stoppages due to strike a.
GDP is a prominent figure, as all the relevant calculations and statistics are based on it. GDP in South Africa is $280.4 billion (2015 estimate).
Another important indicator is the rate of GDP growth, which in South Africa is 0.1% (2016 estimate), 1.3% (2015 estimate) 1.6% (2014 estimate).
These statistics affect the world economy; remember, in 2015, the Chinese real GDP growth rate was worse than expected; The world markets fall, and the Chinese stock exchange was temporarily suspended.
A further major factor of a country’s economy, the GDP per capita. In South Africa this is $13,200 (2016 estimate) $13,400 (2015 estimate) $13,400 (2014 estimate).
In the economy, the Trinity is in common places, such as agriculture, industry, and services.
What are the agricultural products South Africa produces?
The main agricultural products of South Africa are corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; beef, poultry, mutton, wool, dairy products.
The essential segments are mining automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs, and commercial ship repair. The crucial and regularly mentioned GDP is based on mining (the world’s largest platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, and fertilizer foodstuffs, commercial ship repair.
Drinking water source in South Africa
It is essential to mention that – thanks to the development of the infrastructure -, the rate of potable water improved: urban: 99.6% of the population, rural: 81.4% of the population, 93.2% of the population. Unimproved: urban: 0.4% of the population, rural: 18.6% of the population, total: 6.8% of the population (2015 estimate).
The average number of childbirth in South Africa
In South Africa, the average delivery number is 2.31 children born / woman (2016 estimate).
Population, median age, migration, and citizenship in South Africa
The population’s average age is 26.8 years; male: 26.5 years, female: 27 years (2016 estimate). The age of adulthood varies in every country of the world. In South Africa. It is 18 years of age, universal.
When we are experiencing an unprecedented scale of migration and globalization, it is an important factor in the number of new immigrants. In South Africa is -0.9 migrant(s) / 1,000 population (2016 estimate). It is important to know how to apply for citizenship: citizenship by birth: no. Citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of South Africa. Dual citizenship recognized: yes, but requires prior permission of the government residency requirement for naturalization: 1 year.
Is South Africa a safe destination? Healthcare services and infectious diseases in South Africa
Many of the travelers are looking into the healthcare services and infectious diseases of their destinations. In South Africa, the hospital beds’ density is N/A.
According to the WHO rating regarding contagious diseases in South Africa, the degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2016).
However, HIV is not curable but maintainable. Let’s do not forget when the disease surfaced; it was a world-threatening condition. Unfortunately, in some countries, it is still very high the number of infected patients and fatalities due to the disease.
In South Africa, the number of HIV/AIDS deaths: N/A.
Regarding tourism obesity, not an important issue, but we have to mention health statistics, as it is the plague of the 20th and the 21st century. The rate of obese adults in South Africa is 25.6% (2014).
What are the natural hazards in South Africa? Is there any?
The most known natural risk in South Africa are prolonged droughts volcanism: the volcano forming Marion Island in the Prince Edward Islands, which last erupted in 2004, is South Africa’s only active volcano.
More interesting facts about South Africa
A few words about the past, as every country and society, is connected to its history; Dutch traders landed at the southern tip of modern-day South Africa in 1652 and established a stopover point on the spice route between the Netherlands and the Far East, founding the city of Cape Town. After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (Afrikaners, called “Boers” (farmers) by the British) trekked north to found their republics in lands taken from the indigenous black inhabitants. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Afrikaners resisted British encroachments but were defeated in the Second South African War (1899-1902); however, the British and the Afrikaners ruled together beginning in 1910 Union of South Africa, which became a republic in 1961 after a whites-only referendum. In 1948, the Afrikaner-dominated National Party was voted into power and instituted a policy of apartheid – the separate development of the races – which favored the white minority at the expense of the black majority.
The African National Congress (ANC) led the opposition to apartheid and many top ANC leaders, such as Nelson MANDELA, spent decades in South Africa’s prisons. Internal protests and insurgency and boycotts by some Western nations and institutions led to the regime’s eventual willingness to negotiate a peaceful transition to majority rule. The first multi-racial elections in 1994 following the end of apartheid ushered in majority rule under an ANC-led government. South Africa has since struggled to address apartheid-era imbalances in decent housing, education, and health care. ANC infighting came to a head in 2008 when Parliament recalled President Thabo MBEKI, and Deputy President Kgalema MOTLANTHE succeeded him as interim president. Jacob ZUMA became president after the ANC won general elections in 2009; he was re-elected in 2014.
In every nation’s memory, some cornerstones placed the country on the timeline of history. The date of declaration of independence of South Africa: 31 May 1910 (Union of South Africa formed from four British colonies: Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange Free State); 31 May 1961 (republic declared); 27 April 1994 (majority rule).
The flag and other symbols of South Africa
The colors, symbols, and animals on the flag usually have a historical background or an important milestone or memory of the nation.
This case is not an exception either; two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green bar that splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which narrow yellow bands separate the components; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by thin white stripes; the flag colors do not have any official symbolism, but the Y stands for the “convergence of diverse elements within South African society, taking the road ahead in unity”; black, yellow, and green are found on the flag of the African National Congress, while red, white, and blue are the colors in the flags of the Netherlands and the UK, whose settlers ruled South Africa during the colonial era. Note: the South African flag is one of only two national flags to display six colors as part of its preliminary design; the other is South Sudan‘s.
Apart from the flag, the symbol of national unity is the national anthem. The anthem’s primary purpose is to share the nation’s core values, endeavors, and patriotic feelings.
National symbols of South Africa: springbok (antelope), king protea flower; national colors: red, green, blue, yellow, black, white.
Constitution of South Africa
The existence of the nation is based on the constitution. Some constitutions knew worldwide, like the U.S. Constitution that was accepted on the 17th of September 1787, in Philadelphia, the United States of America’s Constitution.
It is not related to the declaration of independence that was stolen by Nicolas Cage in the movie National Treasure 🙂
What is the legal system of South Africa?
Most of the time, the legal system of a country is the focus of lawyers. It is a common fact that there are two main approaches in the world, “the law in books” and “the law in action.”
In the Anglo-Saxon world, the practice is the “law in action, while in the rest of the world, the law is based on Roman law, the “law in books.”
The legal system of South Africa is a mixed legal system of Roman-Dutch civil law, English common law, and customary law.
It was Aristotle who founded the Theory of 3 separations of powers. In his view, these are the council of public affairs, the magistrates, and the justice system. The age of enlightenment was the time when terminologies have defined the way we still use them. In most democratic countries, the three authorities separated from each other. In dictatorships, the rules usually interweaved in one hand.
About the legislative branch of South Africa, we can highlight the following structures bicameral Parliament consists of the National Council of Provinces (90 seats; 10-member delegations appointed by each of the nine provincial legislatures to serve 5-year terms; note – this council has special powers to protect regional interests, including safeguarding cultural and linguistic traditions among ethnic minorities) and the National Assembly (400 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms).
About the unemployment rate, labor force, and poverty line in South Africa
One of the major problems of the 21st-century economy is unemployment. Governments are struggling to maintain a low level of the unemployment rate. Still, as a result of automation, the cheap 3rd world labor, and the outsourcing of workflow, these attempts fail. In South Africa, the labor force is 21.7 million (2016 estimate). Please bear in mind that the population in South Africa is total: 32 deaths / 1,000 live births; male: 35.5 deaths / 1,000 live births, female: 28.4 deaths / 1,000 live births (2016 estimate) – as we already mentioned above.
The rate of unemployment in South Africa is 26.8% (2016 estimate).
Widely known that the gap between the rich and poor is widening on an enormous scale.
According to the 2017 shocking Oxfam report, the most affluent eight people’s fortune is equal to the wealth of the poorest half of the world’s population.
In South Africa, the households’ income and consumption compared to the entire population: lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 51.7% (2009 estimate).
Another widely used indicator is the so-called GINI index, which measures the inequalities of statistical dispersion, but is mainly used for measuring the sharing of income and fortune.
The GINI index was named after its founder Corrado Gini, an Italian economist. Gini index has grades between 0-1, but often it is used on a percentage basis. It is 0 if the examined criteria territorial distribution is equal. It is one of the criteria concentrated on the territory. In South Africa, the GINI index is .62,5 (2013 estimate).
The states usually set up a poverty line, which is more or less, is a subjective measure. It varies by country; its base is often the minimum pension, the incomes of the most deficient 20 percent, the X percent of income per capita Etc.
In South Africa, the poverty line people are the lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 51.7% (2009 estimate).
About the budget and central governments debt of South Africa
The available budget mainly defines the state’s economy. The budget of South Africa is; revenues: $76.62 billion, expenditures: $86.45 billion (2016 estimate). Taxes and other revenues are 27.3% of GDP (2016 estimate).
The budget deficit (Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)) is N/A.
The fiscal year in South Africa is 1 April – 31 March.
In the country’s economy, we have to consider the public debt. Public debt is the consolidated sum of the state’s local, federal, and central government debt.
Inflation rate and prime lending rate in South Africa
A few further interesting and relevant economic data are the following; Inflation rate: 6.5% (2016 estimate), 4.5% (2015 estimate), and the rate of the Commercial bank prime lending rate: 10.6% (31 December 2016 estimate).
Export/import partners and data of South Africa
South Africa, with the export of products, industrial tools, and other services, generates revenue. The export value in South Africa is $83.16 billion (2016 estimate), $81.63 billion (2015 estimate). The total revenue of these activities: gold, diamonds, platinum, other metals and minerals, machinery and equipment.
The most important export partners of South Africa are the China 11.3%, US 7.3%, Germany 6%, Namibia 5.2%, Botswana 5.2%, Japan 4.7%, UK 4.3%, India 4.2% (2015).
The most important imported products are machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum products, scientific instruments, foodstuffs, and the countries from where the import is coming: China 17.6%, Germany 11.2%, US 6.7%, Nigeria 5%, India 4.7%, Saudi Arabia 4.1% (2015).
Renewable energies used in South Africa
To suppress the pollution of the environment, renewable energies have to replace the fossil energy. The more the proportion of renewable energies in a country means more effort against pollution. South Africa, the indicator of how much of the country’s produced energy is coming from the hydroelectric source, is 4.5% of total installed capacity (2013 estimate).
To indicate how much another renewable energy produced is 0.7% of total installed capacity (2013 estimate).
Telecommunication data of South Africa, calling code
To maintain the economy, the development of a reliable and modern telecommunications infrastructure is crucial. We can say the following about South Africa; the system is the best-developed and most modern in Africa. Domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity are roughly 165 telephones per 100 persons; consists of carrier-equipped open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay links, fiber-optic cable, radiotelephone communication stations, and wireless. International: country code – 27; the SAT-3/WASC and SAFE fiber-optic submarine cable systems connect South Africa to Europe and Asia; the EASSy fiber-optic cable system connects with Europe and North America; satellite earth stations – 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 (2015).
Transport infrastructure in South Africa
In the 21st century, we often say that the world has become small and there are no distances anymore. With widespread air travel when (sometimes) there are no visa restrictions, it is easy to reach other countries, but if the distance is not too long, we can also use railway or water transportation.
The number of airports in South Africa: 566 (2013), and the number of heliports: 1 (2013).
The total length of the roadways in South Africa: 747,014 km, paved: 158,952 km, unpaved: 588,062 km (2014).
The total length of the waterways in South Africa: N/A.
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Facts & data about South Africa
Name of the country: conventional long way: the Republic of South Africa, traditional short form: South Africa, former: Union of South Africa abbreviation: RSA, etymology: self-descriptive name from the country’s location on the continent; “Africa” is derived from the Roman designation of the area corresponding to present-day Tunisia “Africa terra,” which meant “Land of the Afri” (the tribe resident in that area), but which eventually came to represent the entire continent.
| Abbreviation: South Africa | Geographic coordinates: 29 00 S, 24 00 E |
Country Location: Africa |
| Capital of South Africa: Pretoria | GPS of the Capital: 25 42 S28 13 E |
Position: Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa |
| Land area: total: 1,219,090 sq km; land: 1,214,470 sq km, water: 4,620 sq km | Terrain: vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain |
Area comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas |
| Population: 54,300,704 (July 2016 estimate) | Population grow rate: 0.99% (2016 estimate) | Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s) / female, 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s) / female, 15-24 years: 0.98 male(s) / female, 25-54 years: 1.02 male(s) / female, 55-64 years: 0.87 male(s) / female, 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s) / female, total population: 0.98 male(s) / female (2016 estimate) |
| Exports: $83.16 billion (2016 estimate), $81.63 billion (2015 estimate) | Imports: $85.03 billion (2016 estimate), $84.33 billion (2015 estimate) | Import partners: China 17.6%, Germany 11.2%, US 6.7%, Nigeria 5%, India 4.7%, Saudi Arabia 4.1% (2015) |
| Urbanization: urban population: 64.8% of the total population (2015) | Major urban area(s): Johannesburg (includes Ekurhuleni) 9.399 million; Cape Town (legislative capital) 3.66 million; Durban 2.901 million; PRETORIA (capital) 2.059 million; Port Elizabeth 1.179 million; Vereeniging 1.155 million (2015) | Median age: total: 26.8 years; male: 26.5 years, female: 27 years (2016 estimate) |
| Internet users: total: 27.868 million. Percent of the population: 51.9% (July 2015 estimate) | Telephones (fixed-lines): total subscriptions: 4,131,055. Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (July 2015 estimate) | Telephones (mobile, cellular): total: 85.197 million. Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 159 (July 2015 estimate) |
| Unemployment rate: 26.8% (2016 estimate) | Nationality: South African(s) adjective: South African | National holidays: Freedom Day, 27 April (1994) |
| Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.1 years. Male: 61.6 years, female: 64.6 years (2016 estimate) | Total fertility rate: 2.31 children born / woman (2016 estimate) | Birthrate: 20.5 births / 1,000 population (2016 estimate) |
| Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write. Total population: 94.3%; male: 95.5%, female: 93.1% (2015 estimate) | Legal system: mixed legal system of Roman-Dutch civil law, English common law, and customary law | Suffrage: 18 years of age, universal |
| Industries: mining (world’s largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs, commercial ship repair | Industrial production growth rate: -1% (2016 estimate) | GDP real growth rate: 0.1% (2016 estimate) 1.3% (2015 estimate) 1.6% (2014 estimate) |
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