Characteristic

The climatic conditions of the country vary from Mediterranean in the southwestern part to temperate in the central part of the country and subtropical in the northeast. A small area in the northwest has a desert climate. The area is characterized by warm, sunny days and cold nights. Precipitation usually falls in the summer (November to March), while the southwest in Cape Town during the winter (June to August). The air temperature here depends on the height of the terrain, sea level, ocean currents and latitude. The average temperature in some areas exceeds +32ºC in summer, and sometimes reaches +38ºC in the north of the country. The absolute maximum is recorded in the provinces of the North Cape and Mpumalanga and is +48ºC. Negative temperatures occur in the mountains at high altitudes in winter. The absolute minimum was recorded at 250 km. northeast of Cape Town, where the average annual temperature is: - 6.1ºC.

Extreme natural phenomena

Impact on climate

Climatic conditions vary greatly between the western and eastern parts of the country. From the east, the South African coast is washed by the warm current of Cape Agulhas (Indian Ocean), from the west by the cold Benguela Current (Atlantic Ocean). The air temperature in Durban, on the coast of the Indian Ocean, is on average almost 6 °C warmer than the air temperature at the same latitude on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The influence of these two currents can be seen even on the narrow peninsula of the Cape of Good Hope, where water temperatures average 4 °C higher on the east side than on the west.

Precipitation

Rainfall varies greatly from west to east. In the northwest, annual rainfall is often below 200 millimetres. Most of the eastern regions, on the contrary, receive between 500 millimeters and 900 millimeters of precipitation per year, and sometimes the amount of precipitation there exceeds 2000 mm. The central part of the country receives an average of 400 mm of precipitation per year, this figure increases as you approach the coast. An indicator of 400 mm of precipitation per year is considered a conditional line; areas to the east of it are generally suitable for growing crops, and to the west only for grazing and irrigated crops.

Air temperature

The average annual temperature in Cape Town is 17ºC, and in Pretoria 17.5ºC, although these cities are separated from each other by almost ten degrees of latitude. It is often believed that the coldest place in the country is Sutherland in the west of the Roggeveld Range, where temperatures can reach -15 ° in winter, but in fact the lowest temperatures are witnessed in Beffelsfontein (Eastern Cape): -18.6 °. The highest temperatures are found inland: the Kalahari near Upington recorded a temperature of 51.7°C in 1948.

Notes


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See what the "Climate of the Republic of South Africa" ​​is in other dictionaries:

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    South Africa (Republic van Suid Afrika, Republic of South Africa). I. General information South Africa is a state in the extreme south of Africa. It borders in the north with Botswana and Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), in the north with Mozambique and Swaziland, in the north with ... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia- (South Africa) (Afrikaans Republiek van Suid Afrika; English Republic of South Africa) a state in southern Africa. 1.2 million km². population 40.7 million people (1993), including Africans (76%; Zulu, Xhosa, etc.), mestizos (9%), immigrants from Europe (13%), mainly ... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

    - (South Africa) (Afrikaans Republiek van Suid Afrika; English Republic of South Africa), a state in southern Africa. 1.2 million km2. The population is 41.7 million people (1996), including Africans (76%; Zulu, Xhosa, etc.), mestizos (9%), immigrants from Europe (13%), mainly ... encyclopedic Dictionary

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“Those who have visited Africa at least once definitely want to return...” - these words of the famous traveler Bernhard Grzimek surprisingly accurately describe the feelings of visiting South Africa. It is difficult to see all the sights of this country at one time. Boundless savannahs, beaches of two oceans, national parks, nature reserves and silent deserts await guests of this South African state.

The flora and fauna of South Africa is amazing. The rapid development of industry did not prevent the South Africans from preserving the rich nature, for which nature reserves were created, which are part of the world cultural heritage. The most famous is the Kruger National Park, the kingdom of animals. Antelopes, zebras, buffaloes, giraffes, lions, elephants and rhinos live here. The famous park is located at the junction of several climatic zones: tropical and subtropical.

Safari is a journey into the heart of the wild nature, touching the primeval. South Africa perfect for such a close acquaintance. Here you will be offered traditional daytime and exciting night safaris, hot air balloon safaris and one of the most amazing and unusual safari- by private jet Pilatus PC12.

Programs

Three countries in one trip
Traveling with children. Cape Town - Durban - Sun City - Johannesburg

Climate of South Africa

There are several climatic zones and climatic zones in South Africa - from the desert zone to the Mediterranean climate zones and subtropics. The seasons in South Africa are the opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer - from October to March (with temperatures from 15°C at night and 35°C during the day), winter - from June to August (with temperatures from about 0°C at night and up to 20°C during the day). Spring (August - September) and autumn (April - May) are short. In general, the climate is even and mild throughout the year with a low average annual rainfall of 502 mm and plenty of sunny days. The temperature of sea water differs in different areas - from the cool water of the Atlantic (12°С-17°С in the Cape Town area) to 21°С-26°С on the coast of the Indian Ocean.

Average annual air temperature (°C):


Average annual rainfall (mm):


When is the best time to go

The best time to travel is from October to April.

How to get there

Many international airlines fly to South Africa.

South African Airways operates regular daily flights from Moscow to Johannesburg and Cape Town with Lufthansa (via Frankfurt), British Airways (via London) & Aeroflot (via Zurich, Paris, London, Frankfurt) and back.

The airline operates daily flights from Moscow to South Africa (Johannesburg) via Dubai.

The following airlines also operate regular daily flights to South Africa:

Emirates (via Dubai), Lufthansa, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, British Airways, Air France Iberia, Qatar Airways, Swiss.

South Africa - information about the country

Official name

Republic of South Africa.


The country has three capitals - Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (parliamentary) and Bloemfontein, where the Supreme Court is located.

South Africa is divided into nine provinces: Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal, North Western Province, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, Free State, Houteng, Northern Cape, Limpopo.


Geography

State in southern Africa. In the northeast, it borders with the state of Mozambique, in the north - with Zimbabwe and Botswana, in the northwest - with Namibia. On its territory there are two small enclave states - the mountain kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland. South Africa is located in the very south of the continent, its coast is washed by the Atlantic and Indian oceans. The total area exceeds 1.2 million sq. km.


Population

The total population of South Africa is 43.7 million people. Various nationalities and ethnic groups live on the territory of the country. The black Bantu people make up 77.6% of the total population; mestizos - descendants of Malagasy, Indians and Malays - 8.7%; white population - 10.3%; Indians - 2.5%.


Difference in time

Moscow time minus 2 hours.


South Africa has 11 official languages. The most common is Zulu. English is considered native by less than 9% of the population, but it is widely used in everyday life.


mobile connection

Owners of mobile phones operating in the GSM-900/1800 standard can also use them in South Africa.


The monetary unit is the South African rand (R) equal to 100 cents with the international symbol ZAR. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10 rand and coins in denominations of 5, 2, 1 rand, as well as 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. The rand exchange rate is approximately 6 rand per 1 US dollar.


The visa is issued at the South African Embassy in Moscow.


You can import duty-free into South Africa: 400 cigarettes; 50 cigars; 2 liters of wine; 1 liter of other alcoholic beverages. A strict ban applies to the import of weapons and drugs. You can not import vegetables and fruits. You can bring an unlimited amount of foreign currency into South Africa. However, the import of local currency is limited to 500 rand per person.

Rough diamonds are not allowed to be exported from South Africa, and for precious metal products and diamonds, you must have an appropriate certificate from the store.

tourist areas

In South Africa, there are 9 provinces that differ from each other not only in climate, landscape, but often also in the ethnic composition of the population.

Western Cape- the most famous and developed province of South Africa. Cape Beautiful is home to Cape Town, the Cape Peninsula with the legendary Cape of Good Hope, wine regions and the famous Garden Road. Virgin landscapes of untouched nature, two oceans washing the shores of the province, a mild Mediterranean climate and at the same time excellent infrastructure allow the Western Cape to be the most important tourist region in South Africa.

Eastern Cape- located east of the Western Cape and is distinguished by picturesque mountainous landscapes and a beautiful ocean coast, indented by lagoons and rocky cliffs. Here are located national parks with rich fauna and untouched nature, such as the Eddo National Park, Shamwari Parks, where all the representatives of the "Big Five" live, the Kwandwe Reserve, as well as a number of other natural oases.

V KwaZulu Natal- Durban is located, and the sandy beaches of the warm Indian Ocean are adjacent to the green hills of Zululand and the majestic Dragon Mountains. Here is the kingdom of the Zulus, the relic lake of Santa Lucia, the breathtaking canyon of the Blyde River, the magical caves of Sadwala, as well as the well-preserved museum cities of the gold rush era.

Houteng- the most populous and at the same time the smallest province in South Africa. Johannesburg is located here - a giant metropolis, financial, industrial and transport center. Here is one of the three capitals of the country - Pretoria.

northern cape- the largest in area and, at the same time, the most sparsely populated province of the country. The "diamond capital" of the Kimberley, the Kalahari Desert, the Augrabis Falls, the Orange River are located here, and here you can observe the annual miracle - the flowering of the Namaqualand valley.

Mpumalanga- the province is famous for its picturesque hilly landscapes and the most famous Kruger Park National Reserve.

Northwest- here, in the middle of the traditional bush, is the famous Sun City, offering all kinds of water activities, the largest casinos and entertainment complex in Africa, as well as the Pilangsberg National Park.

Limpopo(formerly Northern Province) - rich in historical sites, wildlife sanctuaries, hunting grounds, cultural heritage, health resorts and the wide African plains.

Car rent

In South Africa, any driver who is at least 23 years old and has a valid international driving license with a photo can rent a car.

Restaurants

In South Africa, there are a huge number of excellent restaurants offering a variety of cuisines. Chinese, Japanese, French, Italian, Portuguese, Mexican, Indian, Arabic, Jewish cuisines are present along with traditional South African cuisine. After dinner at a restaurant, vacationers can go to one of the many nightclubs and dance there until the music stops.

For kids

Elephant Park (Knysna Elephant Park) - located 20 km from Knysna, the Garden Road route. In natural conditions, but under the supervision of people, several young elephants live. You can chat with elephants, stroke them, it is interesting for both children and adults. And you can order an individual walk with elephants and a mahout through the forest.

Sun City - located 2.5 hours from Johannesburg. For children - a water park with water slides, a beach and artificial waves, themed events are held, for example, Treasure Hunt. Hundreds of children's slot machines, many walking paths and nearby the Pilansberg Nature Reserve.

Reserve "Monkeyland" (Plettenberg).

Located next to Plettenberg. A unique opportunity to see various species of monkeys and forest birds in the natural conditions of the subtropical forest. Professional guides will take you through the park and tell you about the inhabitants living in it.

Victoria and Alfred Waterfront (Cape Town) - located in the port of Cape Town and is an entertainment center with an Oceanarium; cinema center (IMAX); museums; a hall of multi-colored pebbles - "scratch-patch". Here you can make sea cruises, watch live fur seals on the pier.

The cities are home to shops and malls offering everything from brand name goods to handicrafts.

Souvenir shops offer a huge variety of ethnic souvenirs.

There are also convenience stores at gas stations. In supermarkets you can only buy wine, beer and spirits are not sold in them.

National holidays

Entertainment

The country has a large number of entertainment facilities - clubs, theaters, casinos; sports infrastructure.

Safety

In all major cities and most reserves, tap water is purified and completely drinkable. The risk of malignant malaria exists in certain areas of the country on the border with Mozambique (the Kruger Park area (Mpumalanga, Northern Province) and northeast KwaZulu Natal). For prevention, it is recommended to take special medications (Laream).

The widest part of Africa is located in the center of the hot zone of illumination. The whole continent is caressed by the sun all year round, receives a huge amount of energy from our luminary. The climate of Africa is determined by geographical location, air circulation, the influence of the oceans, and the nature of the underlying surface. According to the combination of these main factors, climatic zones (basic and transitional) are distinguished on the mainland: subtropical, tropical, subequatorial and equatorial. In this order, they are replaced in the northern hemisphere from north to south.

General characteristics of the African climate

The equator crosses the continent roughly in the center. The northern - larger part of the mainland - extends to the Mediterranean Sea in the north and the Arabian Peninsula of Eurasia in the northeast. South of the equator lies a narrow part of Africa, resembling a triangle in shape. The area from the equator to the Northern Tropic receives about 200 kcal/cm2 per year. The average figure for the total solar radiation on the mainland is 160 kcal/cm2 per year.

The climate of Africa is diverse, heat and moisture are distributed unevenly, especially in desert regions. The maximum amount of precipitation is received by the southwestern foot of the Cameroon volcano - up to 10,000 mm / year. Africa surpasses other continents in terms of temperature, being the hottest of them. The greatest amount of solar heat falls on the land mass located between the Northern and Southern tropics.

We will describe the climate of Africa according to the position of the territories of the continent relative to the equator. This is the main climate-forming factor, which determines the heating of the earth's surface, and from it - the air. An important role belongs to other conditions: atmospheric circulation, the nature of the relief, the features of the underlying surface, the position relative to other continents, oceans. The main and transitional types of climate in Africa:

  • Equatorial.
  • Subequatorial (wet in the south, arid in the north).
  • Tropical desert.
  • Subtropical Mediterranean.

Equatorial climate of Africa

In the center of the mainland, near the 0° parallel, a hot and humid climate is formed. The equatorial belt covers the territory from 6 ° N. sh. up to 5°S sh. in the Congo basin in the east, on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, it reaches 8 ° N. sh. The conditions of this region are determined by equatorial air masses - hot and humid; it rains throughout the year. The air in January and July heats up to an average of +25 ° C, 2000-3000 mm of precipitation falls annually. The moisture coefficient reaches 1.5-2 (excess).

evergreen forests

The equatorial climate of Africa creates favorable conditions for warm and moisture-loving plants. The equatorial region of Africa is covered with dense evergreen forests - hylaea. It is difficult for animals and people to be under the canopy of the forest, where it is gloomy and stuffy, the air is saturated with the smells of decaying litter and the scent of orchids.

The impassable sparsely populated natural zone has been intensively developed in recent years. Wood is cut down to obtain valuable timber for export. Mahogany, abachi (African maple) and other species are mined.

Subequatorial climate zone

It occupies vast expanses of the mainland from 20 ° S. sh. up to 17° s. sh. More than 1/3 of Africa is located in areas of subequatorial climate. In the eastern part, the transitional belt is not interrupted by the equatorial one; in the southern hemisphere, it does not reach the Atlantic Ocean.

Characteristics of the African climate in the subequatorial region of the continent:

  1. Temperature conditions and humidity are determined by the alternating influence of tropical and equatorial air masses. As a result, seasons are formed - wet and dry.
  2. Hot and humid air of the equatorial latitudes dominates in summer, dry tropical air mass comes in winter, it becomes a little cooler.
  3. The rainless season lasts from 2 to 10 months. The average annual air temperature is over +20 °С, about 1000 mm/year of precipitation will fall (in the southern part of the belt).
  4. The duration of the humid period and the average annual precipitation decrease towards the margins of the subequatorial belt.
  5. In the northern regions, less rain falls, and the hot breath of the desert is felt. The hottest period of the year falls at the beginning of the rainy season, when the average monthly temperature exceeds +30 °C.
  6. The cool months of the humid period are characterized by temperatures around +20 °C and above.

Savannah

In addition to the geographical position and atmospheric circulation, the features of the climate of Africa are determined by the characteristic feature of the relief of the mainland. The margins of the continent are uplifted; compared to the interior regions, they are located higher above sea level.

Mountain ranges and massifs in the north, east and southeast limit the influence of the Indian and Atlantic oceans on the climate of the savannah zone, which stretches within the subequatorial belt. Features of flora and fauna in this part of the continent are determined by the alternation of the wet and dry seasons, the lack of moisture for the formation of full-fledged forests, full-flowing riverbeds.

tropical belt

Features of the climate of Africa in the region of the Northern and Southern tropics - the dominance of hot and dry air masses. Areas with an arid tropical climate and a significant daily temperature range extend in the north and south of the mainland up to the 30th parallel. A significant area of ​​the continent is influenced by an arid tropical climate. In this zone, the highest average monthly rates are noted: +35 ... 40 ° С.

The North African massif receives a lot of solar radiation and very little moisture. Daytime temperatures rarely drop below 20°C. Snow lies on the mountain peaks in the tropics, and desert and semi-desert territories lie at the foot. The most extensive lifeless areas: in the north - the Sahara, in the south - the Namib.

Deserts and semi-deserts

There are areas in the Sahara where temperature minimums and maximums (-3 and +58 °С) were recorded. The daytime temperature on hot sand and stones reaches +60 ... 70 °С, at night it can drop to +10 °С. Daily temperature fluctuations reach 50 °С.

Precipitation in the deserts of Africa falls from 0 to 100 mm / year, which is extremely small. Rains sometimes do not reach the surface of the earth - they dry up in the air. Humidification is poor, Kuvl. = 0.1-0.3. The life of the desert population is concentrated in oases - places where groundwater comes out. Agriculture, cattle breeding, tourist services are developed.

Subtropics of Africa

The extreme south and a narrow strip of the northern coast are occupied by areas of subtropical climate. This is a transitional zone, the features of which are determined by the properties of air masses in temperate and tropical latitudes. The subtropical climate is characterized by dry and rainy seasons, a significant influx of moisture, which contributes to the development of agriculture. The maximum number of rains in the northwestern and southwestern regions of the African continent occurs in the winter months, in the southeast the rainy season is summer.

The subtropics of Africa and other areas of the mainland attract numerous tourists. World-famous resorts are located on the coast of the Mediterranean and Red Seas, the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. The main direction of tourism development and types of recreation in North Africa is beach, sightseeing. In the savannas - safari, jeep. Less visited areas are impenetrable rainforests and uninhabited desert areas.

What is the climate in Africa now and in the past? The answer to this question lies in the beds of dry rivers (wadis), the ruins of once prosperous cities, covered by the sands of the Sahara. African climate is becoming arid, deserts are advancing in the north and south. A striking contrast to this phenomenon are floods, when rivers overflow their banks and flood coastal areas. Scientists suggest that catastrophic natural processes may be associated with intensive felling of tree plantations, the widespread construction of cities, roads, the development of agriculture and cattle breeding.

Answer from Helga[guru]
The climate is tropical and subtropical.
Average January temperatures 18-27°C, July 7-10°C;
The seasons in South Africa are the opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer is from October to March and the temperature fluctuates on average between 15°C at night and 35°C at noon. Winter lasts from June to August with temperatures ranging from 0°C or even lower at night (Kalahari Desert, Drakensberg) to 20°C at noon. Spring (August - September) and autumn (April - May) are short.
Temperatures in South Africa decrease from east to west.
Under the influence of the cold Benguela current, following along the west coast, temperatures drop significantly. The average annual temperature in Port Nollot is 14°C, however, on the east coast, under the influence of the warm Indian Ocean, temperatures are high, and in Durban the average annual temperature is 22°C. On the other hand, the temperature difference between the northern and southern regions is small, as the altitudes increase north. The southern tip of the mainland (Cape Agulhas) and Johannesburg (located 1450 km to the north, but at an altitude of 1740 m above sea level) have an average annual temperature of approx. 16° C.
The central plateau is characterized by a sharply continental climate with pronounced contrasts of daily and annual temperatures. The summer is hot with blindingly bright sunlight and occasional severe thunderstorms. Kimberley, located at an altitude of 1220 m above sea level. m., in January has an average maximum temperature of 32 ° C, and an average minimum temperature of 17 ° C. On the other hand, in winter, the weather is pleasantly warm during the day (the average maximum temperature in July is 19 ° C) due to bright sunlight, but the nights are cold ( the minimum temperature in July is 2°C). Winters are very dry, with little to no rain in June, July and August.
Namaqualand is a very dry area: the amount of precipitation ranges from a maximum of 200 mm in the mountains of the interior to a minimum of less than 25 mm on the coast. On the coast, the weather is cool and temperatures are fairly constant. Outside the zone of influence of the coastal breeze, temperatures rise strongly in summer.
The Cape region has the same favorable climate as the Mediterranean coast of Europe and southern California. Rainy weather sets in in winter, and dry in summer. Precipitation occurs in May-September. On the coast, they usually fall as rain, but in the higher mountains (for example, on the Table Mountain near Cape Town) there is occasional snowfall. Their number varies greatly depending on the nature of the relief. In Cape Town, the average annual rainfall reaches 630 mm, while some high mountains usually receive 2540 mm. Temperatures in Cape Town vary greatly throughout the year. In July (winter) the average minimum temperature is 9°C and the average maximum is 17°C; in January (summer) the average minimum temperature is 16°C, and the average maximum temperature is 27°C. Within the region, however, large temperature contrasts are observed, which depends on exposure to the moderating influence of the ocean; in the interior valleys, summers are hotter and winters colder than on the coast.
The Southern Coastal Region receives as much precipitation in winter as the Cape Region and in summer as much as the Southeast Coastal Region.
The Southeast Coastal Region receives most of its rainfall during the summer months, but no month is truly dry. In Durban, 1140 mm of liquid precipitation falls annually, with an average of 150 mm in March and only 40 mm in July. In summer there is very warm wet weather with an average maximum temperature of 28°C and an average minimum of 21°C in January. Winters are mild and pleasant with an average maximum temperature of 22°C and an average minimum of 13°C in July.
The Transvaal Low Weld receives a high amount of precipitation in summer, up to 2030 mm in some places. Winters are dry and sunny. High temperatures prevail throughout the year.

Square: 1.2 million km2
Population: 49 million people
Capital: Pretoria

Geographical position

The Republic of South Africa (SAR) is located in the extreme south of Africa, south of the Southern Tropic and is washed by the waters of two oceans. The cold Benguela current in the west and the warm current of Cape Agulhas in the east determine the climate and nature of the country. The slightly indented coastline and desert areas of the west coast do not contribute to its intensive development. The southern coast has a more favorable geographical position for development. On the territory of South Africa there are two small independent states - Lesotho and. (Find out on the map which countries South Africa borders on.)

Natural conditions and resources

South Africa has the most powerful economic potential in and is the only African country that is among the developed countries. The Republic of South Africa was proclaimed in 1961.

Most of the country lies above 1000 m above sea level. The geological structure of the territory determined the wealth of South Africa in ore and the absence of deposits. The bowels of the country are extremely rich in manganese ores, chromites, platinum, diamonds, gold, coal, iron and.

The territory of South Africa is located in the subtropical and tropical zones. The climate is arid, but cooler than in the north of the mainland. Average annual temperatures - +20…+23 °С. The difference between the temperatures of the hottest and coldest seasons is only about 10 °C. Annual rainfall ranges from 100mm on the west coast to 2000mm on the slopes of the Drakensberg Mountains.

The territory of South Africa is crossed by several large rivers: Orange, Tugela. The largest river in South Africa is the Orange River, which is almost 2,000 km long. The most important industrial and agricultural regions of the country are located in its basin. Large hydraulic structures have been built on the river, including reservoirs and hydroelectric power stations. The Dragon Mountains are crossed by the Tugela River, on which the highest waterfall in Africa - Tugela (933 m) is located.

The soils are varied and mostly fertile: red-brown, black, gray-brown. A significant part of the territory in the center and in the east is occupied by savannahs. Tropical forests have been preserved along the banks of the rivers. In the south, subtropical forests and evergreen shrubs are common. The flora of the country has about 16 thousand species, savanna formations predominate. In the most humid areas - savannahs with palm trees and baobabs, in and Karoo - deserted savannah (dry-loving trees, shrubs and succulents (aloe, spurge, etc.). juicy grass is a good fodder for sheep.

In the Cape floristic region (district) there are more than 6 thousand plant species, most of which are endemic. The flower of the silver tree (protea) has become the national symbol of South Africa. Deserts and mountains, river valleys, a significant length of the ocean coast determine the diversity of flora and fauna of South Africa. The most diverse fauna in the national parks, the most famous of them - Kruger, Kalahari-Gemsbok, in which all representatives of the animal world, including endemics, are concentrated. About 200 species of snakes are known in the country, more than 40 thousand species of insects, pockets of malarial mosquitoes and tsetse flies have been preserved.

South Africa is the richest country in Africa in terms of mineral resources. Climatic conditions allow growing cultivated plants all year round.

Population

The ethnic composition of the population of South Africa is very complex. About 80% of the country's citizens are black Africans who belong to various ethnic groups (Zulu, Xhosa, Suto, etc.). The population of European origin is less than 10%. The third largest population group in South Africa is mulattoes and mestizos. There is a significant population of Asian origin.

Population density 37 people/sq. km. The most densely populated areas are Cape Town and Durban. More than 35% of the population lives in cities. Since the end of the 90s. natural population growth due to morbidity has sharply decreased and since 2005 has a negative indicator.

According to the structure of employment of the population, South Africa is a post-industrial country (65% of the working population is employed in the service sector, more than 25% in industry).

The high level of economic development made it possible to solve many social issues and ethnic relations. Previously, most of the local population was subjected to oppression. The policy of apartheid existed in South Africa for 45 years. She preached racial oppression of the colored population, the creation of reservations for blacks, the prohibition of mixed marriages, etc. In 1994, the apartheid political regime was overthrown as a result of general elections and the whites' refusal from the monopoly on power. South Africa has been restored to the world community.

Cities

The capital is the city of Pretoria (more than 800 thousand people). The urban population is 64%. South Africa is dominated by small towns with a population of up to 10,000 people. In addition to Johannesburg (3.2 million people) and, the largest cities are port cities - Cape Town,.

Industry

The country's economy produces 2/3 of the continent's GDP. The country's economy is determined by its mining industry. About 52% of the country's exports come from mining products. The country ranks second in the world in diamond mining, and third in uranium ore mining. Almost all types of minerals have been found in South Africa, excluding oil. Coal mining is developed - in terms of the use of coal for South Africa, it ranks 3rd in the world.

The mining industry is closely related to the production of gold bars (25% of world production) and platinum. The main center of gold mining is Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa, the “economic capital” of the country. Several dozen gold mines operate here, and an urban agglomeration has formed (about 5 million people). The branch of specialization of the country is ferrous metallurgy. South African steel is the cheapest in the world. Non-ferrous metallurgy is represented by the production of most non-ferrous metals: from copper, antimony and chromium to rare earth metals.

The service sector is developing rapidly. The banking sector and trade received the greatest development. The service sector provides up to 62% of GDP.

Agriculture

In agriculture, the leading role is played by animal husbandry, primarily wool sheep breeding. Sheep wool and leather make up a significant part of the export. Cattle and goats are also bred. South Africa is the world's largest producer of angora goat mohair (South African mohair is considered the best in the world). They also breed ostriches.

Droughts affect the development of agriculture, 1/3 of all land is affected. Cultivated land makes up about 12% of the territory. The main crops are corn, wheat, sorghum. South Africa provides itself with all basic food products, exports sugar, vegetables, fruits and berries, citrus fruits. Many lands are marginal and need constant fertilization.

Transport

The main inter-district mode of transport in South Africa is rail. Railways connect port cities with. The role of road transport is growing, which accounts for 80% of all transportation in the country. The most important seaports are Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, etc.

South Africa is the only highly developed country in Africa. South Africa is known in the world as the leader in gold mining - 25% of world production. The South African economy accounts for 2/3 of the continent's GDP.