View source for South Africa

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{more sources|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Republic of South Africa
| common_name            = South Africa
| native_name            = {{collapsible list
| titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:84%;
| title = 10 other official names<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.constitutionalcourt.org.za/site/theconstitution/thetext.htm |title=The Constitution |publisher=Constitutional Court of South Africa |accessdate=3 September 2009}}</ref>
| {{Infobox
| subbox=yes
| bodystyle=font-size:77%;font-weight:normal;
| rowclass1 = mergedrow
| label1 = [[Zulu language|Zulu]]:
| data1 = {{lang|zu|iRiphabhuliki yaseNingizimu Afrika}}
| rowclass2 = mergedrow
| label2 = [[Xhosa language|Xhosa]]:
| data2 = {{lang|xh|iRiphabliki yomZantsi Afrika}}
| rowclass3 = mergedrow
| label3 = [[Afrikaans]]:
| data3 = {{lang|af|Republiek van Suid-Afrika}}
| rowclass4 = mergedrow
| label4 = [[Northern Sotho language|Northern&nbsp;Sotho]]:
| data4 = {{lang|nso|Repabliki ya Afrika-Borwa}}
| rowclass5 = mergedrow
| label5 = [[Tswana language|Tswana]]:
| data5 = {{lang|tn|Rephaboliki ya Aforika Borwa}}
| rowclass6 = mergedrow
| label6 = [[Sotho language|Sotho]]:
| data6 = {{lang|st|Rephaboliki ya Afrika Borwa}}
| rowclass7 = mergedrow
| label7 = [[Tsonga language|Tsonga]]:
| data7 = {{lang|ts|Riphabliki ra Afrika Dzonga}}
| rowclass8 = mergedrow
| label8 = [[Swazi language|Swazi]]:
| data8 = {{lang|ss|iRiphabhulikhi yeNingizimu Afrika}}
| rowclass9 = mergedrow
| label9 = [[Venda language|Venda]]:
| data9 = {{lang|ve|Riphabuḽiki ya Afurika Tshipembe}}
| rowclass10 = mergedrow
| label10 = [[Southern Ndebele language|Southern&nbsp;Ndebele]]:
| data10 = {{lang|nr|iRiphabliki yeSewula Afrika}}
}}
}}
| image_flag             = Flag of South Africa.svg
| alt_flag               = 
| flag2_border           = 
| image_coat             = Coat of arms of South Africa (heraldic).svg
| coa_size               = 75
| alt_coat               = 
| symbol_type            = Coat of arms
| national_motto         = "ǃke e꞉ ǀxarra ǁke"&nbsp;{{small|([[ǀXam language|ǀXam]])}}<br />{{small|"[[Unity in Diversity]]"}}
| national_anthem        = "[[National anthem of South Africa]]" <div style="padding-top:0.5em;" class="center">[[File:South Africa National Anthem.ogg]]</div>
| image_map              = Location South Africa AU Africa.svg
| map_caption            = {{map caption|countryprefix=|location_color=dark blue|region=the [[African Union]]|region_color=light blue}}
| image_map2             = South Africa - Location Map (2013) - ZAF - UNOCHA.svg
| capital                = {{unbulleted list |[[Cape Town]] {{small|(executive)}} |[[Bloemfontein]] {{small|(judicial)}} |[[Pretoria]] {{small|(legislative)}}}}
| largest_city           = {{nowrap|[[Johannesburg]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.citypopulation.de/World.html |title=Principal Agglomerations of the World |publisher=Citypopulation.de |accessdate=30 October 2011}}</ref><!--end nowrap:-->}}
| official_languages     = '''[[Languages of South Africa|11 languages]]'''
{{plainlist |
* [[Zulu language|Zulu]]
* [[Xhosa language|Xhosa]]
* [[Afrikaans]]
* [[English language|English]]
* [[Northern Sotho language|Northern Sotho]]
* [[Tswana language|Tswana]]
* [[Sotho language|Sotho]]
* [[Tsonga language|Tsonga]]
* [[Swazi language|Swazi]]
* [[Venda language|Venda]]
* [[Southern Ndebele language|Southern Ndebele]]<!-- Official languages ordered by native speakers -->
}}
{{collapsible list
| titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;padding-left:0.5em;font-size:100%;<!--size of [show]/[hide] link-->
| liststyle = text-align:left;white-space:nowrap;
| title=Languages with special status<ref name="constitution.1.6">{{cite book|url=https://www.concourt.org.za/images/phocadownload/the_text/english-2013.pdf|title=The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa|publisher=Constitutional Court of South Africa|year=2013|edition=2013 English version|at=ch.&nbsp;1, s.&nbsp;6|access-date=17 April 2020|archive-date=23 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823174423/https://www.concourt.org.za/images/phocadownload/the_text/english-2013.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>|[[Arabic]]|[[German language|German]]|[[Greek language|Greek]]|[[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]|[[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]|[[Hindi]]|[[Khoi languages]]|[[Nama language|Nama]]|[[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]|[[San languages]]|[[Sanskrit]]|[[South African Sign Language]]|[[Tamil language|Tamil]]|[[Telugu language|Telugu]]|[[Urdu]]
}}
| languages2_type        = 
| languages2             = 
| ethnic_groups          = {{unbulleted list
| {{nowrap|80.2% [[Bantu peoples in South Africa|Black]]}}
| 8.8% [[Cape Coloureds|Coloured]]
| 8.4% [[European South African|White]]
| 2.5% [[Asian South African|Asian]]
}}
| ethnic_groups_year     = 2014<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://beta2.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0302/P03022014.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808032616/http://beta2.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0302/P03022014.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 August 2014|title=Mid-year population estimates 2014|date=31 July 2014|location=South Africa|publisher=Statistics South Africa|access-date=8 August 2014}}</ref>
| religion               = See ''[[Religion in South Africa]]''
| demonym                = [[South Africans|South African]]
| government_type        = [[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Dominant-party system|dominant-party]] [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[republic|constitutional republic]]
| leader_title1          = [[President of South Africa|President]]
| leader_name1           = [[Cyril Ramaphosa]]
| leader_title2          = [[Deputy President of South Africa|Deputy President]]
| leader_name2           = [[David Mabuza]]
| legislature            = [[Parliament of South Africa|Parliament]]
| upper_house            = [[National Council of Provinces|National Council]]
| lower_house            = [[National Assembly of South Africa|National Assembly]]
| sovereignty_type       = Independence
| sovereignty_note       = {{nowrap|from the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]]}}
| established_event1     = [[Union of South Africa|Union]]
| established_date1      = 31 May 1910
| established_event2     = [[Statute of Westminster 1931|Self-governance]]
| established_date2      = 11 December 1931
| established_event3     = [[South African referendum, 1960|Republic]]
| established_date3      = 31 May 1961
| established_event4     = 
| established_date4      = 
| area_km2               = 1,221,037
| area_footnote          = 
| area_rank              = 24th
| area_sq_mi             = 471,443
| percent_water          = 0.380
| population_estimate    = 57,725,600<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0302/P03022018.pdf |title=Mid-year population estimates |date=2018-07-23 |website=www.statssa.gov.za |access-date=2018-07-23}}</ref>
| population_census      = 51,770,560{{rp|18}}
| population_estimate_year = 2018
| population_estimate_rank = 24th
| population_census_year = 2011
| population_density_km2 = 42.4
| population_density_sq_mi = 
| population_density_rank = 169th
| GDP_PPP                = {{nowrap|$813.100 billion<ref name="IMFWEOZA">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2019/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2019&ey=2024&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&pr1.x=68&pr1.y=5&c=199&s=NGDPD%2CPPPGDP%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPPC&grp=0&a= |title=South Africa - Report for Selected Countries and Subjects |publisher=International Monetary Fund |date= April 2019|accessdate=29 June 2019}}</ref><!--end nowrap:-->}}
| GDP_PPP_year           = 2019
| GDP_PPP_rank           = 30th
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = $13,865<ref name="IMFWEOZA"/>
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 89th
| GDP_nominal            = {{nowrap|$371.298 billion<ref name="IMFWEOZA"/>}}
| GDP_nominal_year       = 2019
| GDP_nominal_rank       = 33rd
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = $6,331<ref name="IMFWEOZA"/>
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 86th
| Gini                   = 63.0 <!--number only-->
| Gini_year              = 2014
| Gini_change            = decrease <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini_ref               = <ref name="wb-gini">{{cite web |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=ZA |title=Gini Index |publisher=World Bank |accessdate=25 September 2018}}</ref>
| Gini_rank              = <!-- 2nd --><!-- hid rank as source not clear -->
| HDI                    = 0.699 <!--number only-->
| HDI_year               = 2017<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
| HDI_change             = increase <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI_ref                = <ref name="HDI">{{cite web |url=http://www.hdr.undp.org/en/2018-update |title=2018 Human Development Report |year=2018 |accessdate=14 September 2018 |publisher=United Nations Development Programme |archive-date=14 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914203906/http://hdr.undp.org/en/2018-update |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| HDI_rank               = 113th
| currency               = [[South African rand]]
| currency_code          = ZAR
| time_zone              = [[South African Standard Time|SAST]]
| utc_offset             = +2
| utc_offset_DST         = 
| DST_note               = 
| time_zone_DST          = 
| antipodes              = 
| date_format            = 
| drives_on              = [[Right- and left-hand traffic|left]]
| calling_code           = [[+27]]
| iso3166code            = 
| cctld                  = [[.za]]
}}

'''South Africa''' (officially called the '''Republic of South Africa''') is a [[country]] in the southern [[region]] of [[Africa]]. About fifty-seven [[million]] people live there. South Africa is next to [[Namibia]], [[Botswana]], [[Zimbabwe]], [[Mozambique]], [[Lesotho]], and [[eSwatini|Eswatini]].

The biggest [[city]] of South Africa is [[Johannesburg]]. The country has three [[Capital (city)|capitals]] for different purposes. They are [[Cape Town]], [[Pretoria]], and [[Bloemfontein]]. This is because the [[government]] is based in Pretoria, the [[parliament]] is in Cape Town and the Supreme Court is in Bloemfontein.<ref>{{cite book|url=|title=Family Flip Quiz Geography|last1=Gifford|first1=Clive|last2=Clayden|first2=Lisa|publisher=Miles Kelly Publishing|year=2002|isbn=1-84236-146-5|location=Bardfield Centre, Great Bardfield, Essex|pages=|authorlink=}}</ref>

There are 11 [[national language]]s. They are [[Afrikaans]], [[English Language|English]], Ndebele, Xhosa, [[Zulu language|Zulu]], Swati, Setswana, Sesotho, Sesotho sa Leboa, Venda and Tsonga. They are also known as National Lexicography Units (NLUs). Because of all the languages, the country has an [[wikt:official|official]] name in each language.

One of South Africa's most well known people is [[Nelson Mandela]]. He was its [[President of South Africa|president]] from 1994 until 1999. He died in 2013 at the age of 95. The current president is [[Cyril Ramaphosa]].

[[Lions]], [[cheetahs]], [[zebras]], [[giraffes]], and many [[species]] of [[antelope]] live in South Africa.

In terms of its resources, South Africa is one of the richest countries in Africa.

==History==
Settlements of [[Bantu peoples of South Africa|Bantu-speaking peoples]] had appeared south of the [[Limpopo River]] by the 4th or 5th century CE. They [[forced migration|displaced]] and  [[wikt:conquered|conquered]] the [[Khoisan]], [[Khoekhoe|Khoikhoi]] and [[San people|San]] people that lived there. The Bantu slowly moved south. The group that was the farthest south was the [[Xhosa people]]. Their [[language]] used some [[trait]]s from the Khoisan people. The Xhosa reached the [[Great Fish River]], in today's Eastern Cape Province. As they [[migration|migrated]], these larger [[Iron Age]] groups displaced or [[cultural assimilation|assimilated]] earlier groups. In [[Mpumalanga]] Province, several stone circles have been found, along with a stone [[arrangement]] that has been named [[Blaauboschkraal stone ruins|Adam's Calendar]]. The ruins are thought to be created by the [[Bokoni|Bakone]], a [[Northern Sotho language|Northern Sotho]] people.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Alfred|first=Luke|title=The Bakoni: From prosperity to extinction in a generation|url=https://www.news24.com/citypress/news/the-bakoni-from-prosperity-to-extinction-in-a-generation-20180703|access-date=13 September 2020|website=Citypress|archive-date=20 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020040304/https://www.news24.com/citypress/news/the-bakoni-from-prosperity-to-extinction-in-a-generation-20180703|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Adam's Calendar in Waterval Boven, Mpumalanga|url=https://www.sa-venues.com/things-to-do/mpumalanga/adams-calendar/|access-date=13 September 2020|website=www.sa-venues.com|archive-date=17 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217065507/https://www.sa-venues.com/things-to-do/mpumalanga/adams-calendar/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The first European people to come to South Africa were Portuguese explorers. In 1487, [[Bartolomeu Dias]] found what he called the "Cape of Storms". The [[king]] of [[Portugal]] changed it to "[[Cape of Good Hope]]". He called it this because the cape gave the Portuguese a new chance to find a sea route to [[India]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Mackenzie|first1=W. Douglas|last2=Stead|first2=Alfred|title=South Africa: Its History, Heroes, and Wars|publisher=The Co-Operative Publishing Company|location=Chicago|year=1899}}</ref>

In 1652, [[Jan van Riebeeck]] [[colony|colonized]] the Cape. He started the camp for the [[Dutch East India Company]]. This was so that they could give fresh food to ships on their way to the south of [[Asia]]. There were very few [[wikt:native|native]] people living in the Cape. Because of this, slaves were brought from [[Indonesia]], [[Madagascar]] and [[India]] to work at the colony. In 1795, [[Great Britain]] took the Cape from the [[Dutch East India Company]], to stop [[France]] from taking it. The British gave it back in 1803 but then [[Annexation|annexed]] the Cape in 1807 when the [[Dutch East India Company]] went bankrupt.

Diamonds were found in South Africa in 1867. Gold was found in 1884. This made a great number of people to come to South Africa from Europe. They were hoping to make money.

The [[First Boer War]] happened in 1880-1881. The war was between the British and the [[Boers]] Republics. At that time, the British had the Cape. The Boer Republics were established when Dutch settlers moved north in the [[Great Trek]]. The British lost the war and came back 8 years later in 1899. They won this [[Second Boer War]] in 1902. The British had brought many more soldiers the second time. The Boers had no chance of winning. On 31 May 1910 the Union of South Africa was made from the Cape and Natal colonies. It was also made from [[Free State|Orange Free State]] and the [[Transvaal]]. These were two Boer Republics.

South Africa became much more independent when the [[Statute of Westminster 1931|Statute of Westminster]] was passed in 1931. The [[statute]] said that the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] could not pass laws in the country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/national-party-np|title=National Party (NP) &#124; South African History Online|website=www.sahistory.org.za}}</ref> In 1941, a system of [[racial discrimination]] called [[apartheid]] was started. It gave [[white people]] in South Africa more rights than [[black people]].<ref name="Brittanica Apartheid"/>

In 1961, South Africa became completely independent when the voters passed [[1960 South African republic referendum|a referendum]] to become a [[republic]]. Only [[white people]] were allowed to vote in the referendum.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd|url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/people/hendrik-frensch-verwoerd|publisher=South African History Online|quote=On 5 October 1960 a referendum was held in which White voters were asked: "Do you support a republic for the Union?" – 52 percent voted 'Yes'.|access-date=9 March 2013|archive-date=29 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129002322/http://www.sahistory.org.za/people/hendrik-frensch-verwoerd|url-status=live}}</ref> This republic ended apartheid in 1994.<ref name="Brittanica Apartheid">{{Cite web|title=apartheid {{!}} South Africa, Definition, Facts, Beginning, & End |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/apartheid|access-date=2022-05-15|website=Britannica|language=en}}</ref>

== Geography ==
[[File:South Africa sat.jpg|[[Satellite imagery|Satellite]] picture of South Africa|left|frameless]]
South Africa is found at the southernmost [[wikt:region|region]] of Africa, with a long coastline that reaches more than {{convert|abbr=on|2500|km|mi|0}} and along [[two]] oceans (the South [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] and the [[Indian Ocean|Indian]]). At {{convert|abbr=on|1219912|km2|mi2}},<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2147rank.html?countryName=South%20Africa&countryCode=sf&regionCode=af&rank=32#sf|title=Country Comparison|work=World Factbook|publisher=CIA|access-date=2010-04-09|archive-date=2011-05-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501164719/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2147rank.html?countryName=South%20Africa&countryCode=sf&regionCode=af&rank=32#sf|url-status=dead}}</ref> South Africa is the 25th-largest country in the world and is almost the size of [[Colombia]]. [[Njesuthi]] in the [[Drakensberg]] at {{convert|abbr=on|3408|m|ft}} is the highest part in South Africa.

[[File:Drakensburgmountains.jpg|thumb|The Drakensberg mountains, the highest mountain range in South Africa]]The majority of South Africa is the Central [[Plateau]], bounded by the Great [[Scarp (landform)|Escarpment]]. Its [[scrubland]], the Karoo, is drier towards the northwest along the [[Namib]] desert. The eastern coastline however, is well-watered, which makes a [[climate]] similar to the [[tropics]].

To the north of Johannesburg, the [[wikt:altitude|altitude]] drops beyond the escarpment of the Highveld. It then turns into the lower lying Bushveld, an area of mixed dry forest and a lot of [[animal|wildlife]]. East of the Highveld, beyond the eastern escarpment, the Lowveld reaches towards the Indian Ocean. It has mostly high [[temperature]]s, and is also the location of subtropical agriculture.

=== Climate ===
South Africa has a mostly [[temperate climate]]. It is surrounded by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans on three sides, and is located in the climatically milder [[southern hemisphere]]. Average [[wikt:elevation|elevation]] is higher towards the north (towards the [[equator]]) and further inland. Because of this [[wikt:vary|varied]] [[topography]] and oceanic influence, different parts of South Africa have different climates.

There is a [[desert]] in the southern Namib in the farthest northwest and [[subtropical]] climate in the east along the [[Mozambique]] border and the Indian Ocean. From the east, the land quickly rises over mountains towards the back [[plateau]] known as the Highveld. Even though South Africa is thought as semi-arid, there is a difference in climate as well as topography.

The southwest has a climate similar to that of the [[Mediterranean]] with mild, moderately wet winters and hot, dry summers. This area also makes much of the wine in South Africa. This [[wikt:region|region]] is also mostly known for its [[wind]], which blows almost all year. The wind can sometimes be severe when passing around the [[Cape of Good Hope]] mostly gets bad for sailors, making many shipwrecks. Further east on the south coast, rainfall falls more evenly throughout the year, making a green landscape. This area is popularly known as the [[Garden Route]].

The [[Orange Free State]] is mostly flat, because it lies in the center of the high plateau. North of the Vaal River, the Highveld becomes better watered and does not get subtropical heat. Johannesburg, in the center of the Highveld, is at 1,740 [[meter|m]] (5,709 [[foot (unit of length)|ft]]) and gets a yearly rainfall of 740 [[millimeter|mm]] (29.9 [[inch|in]]). Winters in this region are cold, although [[snow]] is rare.

=== Plants and wildlife ===
[[File:Fynbos.jpg|thumb|left|Fynbos, an [[ecozone]] unique to South Africa, near [[Cape Town]]]]
South Africa is ranked sixth out of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries,<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Biodiversity of the world by countries|url=http://www.institutoaqualung.com.br/info_biodiversidade23.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040806050616/http://www.institutoaqualung.com.br/info_biodiversidade23.html|archive-date=August 6, 2004|access-date=|website=|language=Portuguese}}</ref> with more than 20,000 different kinds of plants, or about 10% of all the known species of plants on Earth, making it very rich in plant [[biodiversity]].

The most common [[biome]] in South Africa is the grassland, mostly on the Highveld. This is where [[Poaceae|grasses]], low shrubs, and acacia trees, mostly camel-thorn and whitethorn are more common than other plants. Plants become less common towards the northwest. This is because of low [[rain]]fall. There are many species of water-storing plants like aloes and euphorbias in the very hot and dry Namaqualand area. The grass and thorn [[savanna]] turns slowly into a bush savanna towards the north-east of the country, with more thick growth. There are many numbers of [[baobab]] trees in this area, near the northern end of Kruger National Park.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20010410032655/http://www.southafrica-travel.net/pages/e_plants.htm Plants and Vegetation in South Africa], South Africa Online Travel Guide.</ref>

== Economy ==
South Africa's economy is divided. It is divided between [[First World]] and [[Third World]] standards. The developed part of the economy is similar to that of most nations with wealth (for example, [[Britain]] or [[Australia]]). The rest of the economy is closer to that of poor nations, such as the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. The main companies in South Africa are mining (mostly for gold and diamonds), [[car]] making, and [[Service Sector|service industries]], such as insurance.

Unemployment is very high. Income inequality is about the same as [[Brazil]]. During 1995–2003, the number of older jobs went down. [[Informal economy|Informal jobs]] went up. Overall unemployment got worse.<ref name="sach3">{{cite web|url=http://imf.org/external/pubs/nft/2006/soafrica/eng/pasoafr/sach3.pdf|title=Post-Apartheid South Africa: the First Ten Years - Unemployment and the Labor Market|publisher=IMF}}</ref> The [[wikt:average|average]] South African household income went down a lot between 1995 and 2000. As for racial inequality, [[Statistics South Africa]] said that in 1995 the average white household earned four times as much as the average [[African Americans|black]] household. In 2000 the average white family was earning six times more than the average black household.<ref>[https://srdstatuscheckonline.com/ SRD Status Check Online – Sassa Status Check] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101011431/https://srdstatuscheckonline.com/ |date=2023-11-01 }} South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)</ref> The action policies have seen a rise in black economic wealth. There is a developing black middle class.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Black middle class boosts car sales in South Africa: Mail & Guardian Online|url=http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=261345&area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__business/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060206183624/http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=261345&area=%2Fbreaking_news%2Fbreaking_news__business%2F|archive-date=February 6, 2006|access-date=|website=}}</ref><ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/jan/22/southafrica.features Race against time]. The Observer. 22 January 2006.</ref> Other problems are crime, corruption, and HIV/AIDS. South Africa suffers from mostly heavy overall [[wikt:regulation|regulation]] compared to developed countries.<ref name="assessment2008">{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Economic Assessment of South Africa 2008|url=http://www.oecd.org/document/11/0,3343,en_2649_33733_40977483_1_1_1_1,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080827131409/http://www.oecd.org/document/11/0,3343,en_2649_33733_40977483_1_1_1_1,00.html|archive-date=August 27, 2008|access-date=|website=|publisher=OECD}}</ref> {{broken wikt link|Restrictive|Restrictive}} labor rules have added to the unemployment weakness.<ref name="sach3"/>

== Population ==
South Africa is a nation of about 50&nbsp;[[million]] people of diverse [[wikt:origin|origin]]s, cultures, [[language]]s, and religions. The last census was held in 2001 and the next will be in 2011. Statistics South Africa had five racial categories by which people could classify themselves, the last of which, "unspecified/other" drew "not needed" responses, and these results were not counted.<ref name="Census2001">[https://web.archive.org/web/20040831200743/http://www.statssa.gov.za/census01/html/default.asp Census 2001], Statistics South Africa.</ref> The 2009 middle-year [[estimate]]d figures for the other categories were Black African at 79.3%, White at 9.1%, [[Coloured]] at 9.0%, and [[Asian]] at 2.6%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0302/P03022009.pdf|title=Midyear population estimates: 2009|publisher=Statistics South Africa|accessdate=23 February 2010}}</ref>

Even though the population of South Africa has grown in the past decade<ref name="Census2001"/><ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=statssa.gov.za|url=http://www.statssa.gov.za/Publications/CS2007Basic/CS2007Basic.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221195700/http://www.statssa.gov.za/Publications/CS2007Basic/CS2007Basic.pdf|archive-date=February 21, 2011|access-date=|website=}}</ref> (mostly because of immigration), the country had an yearly population growth rate of −0.501% in 2008 (CIA est.), counting immigration. The CIA thinks that in 2009 South Africa's population started to grow again, at a rate of 0.281%. South Africa is home to an [[estimate]]d 5&nbsp;million [[illegal immigrant]]s, counting about 3&nbsp;million Zimbabweans.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Anti-immigrant violence spreads in South Africa, with attacks reported in Cape Town|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/05/23/africa/23saf.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607094351/http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/05/23/africa/23saf.php|archive-date=June 7, 2008|access-date=|website=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1277808,00.html|title=Escape From Mugabe: Zimbabwe's Exodus}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=More illegals set to flood SA|url=http://www.fin24.com/articles/default/display_article.aspx?ArticleId=1518-25_2035097|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214052122/http://www.fin24.com/articles/default/display_article.aspx?ArticleId=1518-25_2035097|archive-date=February 14, 2009|access-date=|website=}}</ref> A [[series]] of anti-immigrant riots happened in South Africa beginning on 11 May 2008.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7396868.stm|title=South African mob kills migrants|publisher=BBC|accessdate=19 May 2008 | date=12 May 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Barry Bearak|first=|date=23 May 2008|title=Immigrants Fleeing Fury of South African Mobs|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/23/world/africa/23safrica.html?_r=1&ref=africa&oref=slogin|accessdate=5 August 2008}}</ref>

==Provinces==
[[File:Map of South Africa with English labels.svg|thumb|right|350px|Provinces of South Africa]]

South Africa is divided into 9 provinces. The provinces are in turn divided into 52 districts: 8 metropolitan and 44 district municipalities. The district municipalities are further divided into 226 local municipalities.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: right;"
|-
! Province
! Provincial capital
! Largest city
! Area (km²)<ref>{{cite book |title=Stats in Brief, 2010 |url=http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/StatsInBrief/StatsInBrief2010.pdf |publisher=Statistics South Africa |location=Pretoria |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-621-39563-1 |page=3}}</ref>
! Population (2011 est.)<ref>{{cite report |title=Mid-year population estimates, 2011 |url=http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0302/P03022011.pdf |year=2011 |publisher=Statistics South Africa}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"| [[Eastern Cape]] ||align="left"|[[Bhisho]] ||align="left"|[[Port Elizabeth]] || 168,966 || 6,829,958
|-
|align="left"|[[Free State (South African province)|Free State]] ||align="left"|[[Bloemfontein]] ||align="left"|Bloemfontein || 129,825 || 2,759,644
|-
|align="left"|[[Gauteng]] ||align="left"|[[Johannesburg]] ||align="left"|Johannesburg || 18,178 || 11,328,203
|-
|align="left"|[[KwaZulu-Natal]] ||align="left"|[[Pietermaritzburg]] ||align="left"|[[Durban]] || 94,361 || 10,819,130
|-
|align="left"|[[Limpopo]] ||align="left"|[[Polokwane]] ||align="left"|Polokwane || 125,754 || 5,554,657
|-
|align="left"|[[Mpumalanga]] ||align="left"|[[Nelspruit]] ||align="left"|Nelspruit || 76,495 || 3,657,181
|-
|align="left"|[[North West (South African province)|North West]] ||align="left"|[[Mafikeng]] ||align="left"|[[Rustenburg]] || 104,882 || 3,253,390
|-
|align="left"|[[Northern Cape]] ||align="left"|[[Kimberley, South Africa|Kimberley]] ||align="left"|Kimberley || 372,889 || 1,096,731
|-
|align="left"|[[Western Cape]] ||align="left"|[[Cape Town]] ||align="left"|Cape Town || 129,462 || 5,287,863
|}
==Major Cities==
1. [[Johannesburg]]

2. [[Cape Town]]

3. [[Durban]]

4. [[Pretoria]]

== Society and culture ==
[[File:CuisineSouthAfrica.jpg|250px|thumb|Traditional South African cuisine]]
[[File:SouthAfricaDecoratedHouses.jpg|250px|thumb|Decorated houses, Drakensberg Mountains]]
It may be suggested that there is no single South African culture because of its [[ethnic]] [[wikt:diversity|diversity]]. Today, the diversity in foods from many cultures is enjoyed by all and marketed to tourists who wish to taste South African food. Food is not the only thing, music and dance is there too.

South African food is mostly meat-based and has [[wikt:spawn|spawned]] the South African social gathering known as a ''[[braai]]'', or [[barbecue]]. South Africa has also developed into a big wine maker. It has some of the best [[vineyard]]s lying in [[valley]]s around Stellenbosch, Franschoek, Paarl and Barrydale.

South Africa is the only country of Africa with a significant ethnic European population and influence
Most South African blacks still have poor lives. It is among these people, however, that cultural traditions live most strongly. This is because blacks have become [[city|urbanised]] and [[Western civilization|Westernised]], much parts of traditional culture have fallen. Urban blacks normally speak English or Afrikaans in addition to their native [[tongue]]. There are smaller but still important groups of speakers of [[Khoisan (language)|Khoisan]] languages who are not in the 11 official [[language]]s, but are one of the eight other officially recognized languages.

Members of middle class, who are mostly white but whose ranks are growing numbers of black, colored and Indian people,<ref>{{cite news|last=|first=|date=22 May 2007|title=Black middle class explodes|work=|publisher=FIN24|url=http://www.fin24.co.za/articles/default/display_article.aspx?Nav=ns&ArticleID=1518-25_2117122|url-status=dead|access-date=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822120841/http://www.fin24.co.za/articles/default/display_article.aspx?Nav=ns&ArticleID=1518-25_2117122|archive-date=August 22, 2007}}</ref> have lifestyles similar in many ways to that of people found in [[Western Europe]], [[North America]] and [[Australasia]]. Members of the middle class often study and work from foreign countries for greater exposure to the markets of the [[world]].

Approximately 9,800 Roma gypsies live in South Africa.
=== Religion ===
[[File:Graaff-Reinet GR3.jpg|thumb|left|Church in Graaff Reinet]]
According to the 2001 national [[census]], Christians accounted for 79.7[[Percent|%]] of the [[population]]. This has Zion Christian (11.1%), [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]] (Charismatic) (8.2%), [[Roman Catholic]] (7.1%), [[Methodist]] (6.8%), Dutch Reformed (6.7%), [[Anglican]] (3.8%); members of other Christian churches accounted for another 36% of the population. [[Muslims]] accounted for 1.5% of the population, [[Hinduism]] about 1.3%, and [[Judaism]] 0.2%. 15.1% had no religious affiliation, 2.3% were other and 1.4% were unspecified.<ref name="state.gov">{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=South Africa - Section I. Religious Demography|url=http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2005/51496.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051110005227/http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2005/51496.htm|archive-date=November 10, 2005|accessdate=15 July 2006|website=|publisher=U.S. Department of State}}</ref><ref>For a discussion of Church membership statistics in South Africa please refer to Forster, D. "God's mission in our context, healing and transforming responses" in Forster, D and Bentley, W. ''Methodism in Southern Africa: A celebration of Wesleyan Mission''. Kempton Park. AcadSA publishers (2008:97-98)</ref>

=== Sports ===
{{further|South Africa at the Olympics}}
South Africa's most liked [[sport]]s are [[soccer]], [[rugby union]] and [[cricket]]. Other sports that are popular are [[swimming]], athletics, [[golf]], [[boxing]], [[tennis]] and netball. Soccer is the most liked among youth. There are other sports like [[basketball]], [[surfing]] and [[skateboard]]ing that are becoming more liked.

[[File:GraemeSmith.jpg|thumb|Graeme Smith, [[South Africa national cricket team]]'s former captain]]
Famous boxers from South Africa are Baby Jake Jacob Matlala, Vuyani Bungu, Welcome Ncita, Dingaan Thobela, Gerrie Coetzee and Brian Mitchell. There are football players who have played for major [[wikt:foreign|foreign]] clubs. Some of them are Lucas Radebe and Philemon Masinga (both were of [[Leeds United A.F.C.|Leeds United]]), Quinton Fortune (Atletico Madrid and [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]), Benni McCarthy (Ajax Amsterdam, [[F.C. Porto]] and [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]), Aaron Mokoena (Ajax Amsterdam, Blackburn Rovers and [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]]), Delron Buckley ([[Borussia Dortmund]]) and Steven Pienaar (Ajax Amsterdam and [[Everton F.C.|Everton]]). South Africa made [[Formula One]] motor racing's 1979 world champion [[Jody Scheckter]]. Famous current cricket players are Herschelle Gibbs, Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, JP Duminy and more. Most of them also participate in the [[Indian Premier League]].

South Africa has also made many world class rugby players. Some of them are Francois Pienaar, Joost van der Westhuizen, Danie Craven, Frik du Preez, Naas Botha, and Bryan Habana. South Africa hosted and won the 1995 Rugby World Cup at their first try. They won the 2007 Rugby World Cup in [[France]]. South Africa was only allowed to [[wikt:participate|participate]] from 1995 since the end of [[Apartheid]]. It followed the 1995 Rugby World Cup by hosting the 1996 African Cup of Nations. It had the [[nation]]al team, 'Bafana Bafana,' going on to win the [[tournament]]. It also hosted the 2003 Cricket World Cup. and the 2007 World Twenty20 Championship. Both of them were a great success.

In 2010, South Africa became the first African [[nation]] to host the [[2010 World Cup|FIFA World Cup]]. The [[South Africa national football team|national team]] has competed in three World Cups. It bid for the right to stage the [[2004 Olympic Games]], but finished third to [[Athens]]. South Africa is also well known for their [[South Africa national cricket team|cricket team]]. They are right now the world's number one in test match cricket.

=== Education ===
The main schools span the first seven years of schooling. In the age of [[Apartheid]], schools for blacks were subject to judgment through {{broken wikt link|inadequate|inadequate}} funding and so forth. Instruction can take place in [[Afrikaans]] as well. Public payment on education was at 5.4% of the 2002-05 GDP.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/data_sheets/cty_ds_ZAF.html |title=Human Development Report 2009 - South Africa |access-date=2010-04-10 |archive-date=2010-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415010104/http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/data_sheets/cty_ds_ZAF.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Related pages ==
* [[List of rivers of South Africa]]
* [[South African Grand Prix]]
* [[Port Elizabeth]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Other websites ==
{{Sister project links|South Africa|voy=South Africa}}
* [http://www.gov.za Official government site]

{{Africa}}
{{Commonwealth nations}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:English-speaking countries]]
[[Category:South Africa| ]]
[[Category:States and territories established in the 20th century]]
[[Category:1910 establishments]]
[[Category:1910s establishments in Africa]]
[[Category:Commonwealth member states]]