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SIZE
The RSA covers an area of 1,219,080 sq km (470,689 sq miles). - about one eighth
the size of the USA, and nearly five times the size of the United Kingdom.
CLIMATE
Western Cape
Mediterranean climate (warm dry summers, cool wet winters).
Occasional winter snowfalls cover the surrounding mountains. Average maximum
summer temperature is 24 C; winter 18 C.
Eastern Cape (Garden Route)
Enjoys elements of the Mediterranean climate of Cape Town as well as that of the
summer rainfall regions to the east.
KwaZulu-Natal
Enjoys summer rainfall (typically after thunderstorms) and cool dry winters.
Snowfalls on the Drakensberg cause brief cold snaps. Average maximum summer
temperature in Durban is 25,5 C; winter 22,6 C.
Gauteng, North/West
Northern Province and Mpumalanga
Enjoys summer rainfall, typically afternoon thunderstorms of short duration.
Mild dry winters are the norm with occasional early morning frost on the
Highveld. Average maximum summer temperature in Johannesburg is 24,7 C; winter
18 C. Pretoria summer 27,5 C; winter 21 C. Midsummer temperatures in the Kruger
National Park can exceed 35 C.
SEASONS
Summer: November - March 14 - 25 :C
Autumn / Fall: April - June 11 - 22 :C
Winter: July - August - 06 - 17 :C
Spring: September - October - 13 - 20 :C
GOVERNMENT
Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1910. Head of State and Government:
President Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki since 1999.
RELIGION
Most inhabitants profess Christianity of some form and belong to either
Catholic, Anglican and other protestant denominations, Afrikaner Calvinist
churches or African independent churches. There are also significant Hindu,
Muslim and Jewish communities, and traditional beliefs are still practised
widely, sometimes in conjunction with Christianity.
WHAT CLOTHES TO PACK
Pack what you would normally wear in a warm, temperate climate. In the game
parks, at holiday resorts and on tour, casual clothing is advisable. In city
hotels and restaurants dress is more formal in the evenings. Men usually wear
ties and jackets for evening meals and also in the lounges after 18h00. On tour,
wear comfortable clothing for traveling and comfortable shoes for walking. Warm
clothing must be packed for the late afternoon and early morning game viewing in
the game parks.
PHYSICAL FEATURES
Sun, wind, rain, rivers and the opposing influences of two currents, one cold,
the other warm, have given rise to a phenomenal spectrum of awe-inspiring
landscapes: mountains, plains, plateau and coast lands, lakes and lagoons,
deserts and sun-scorched 'moonscapes'.
TIME
GMT + 2.
MAJOR CITIES
There are three capital cities: Cape Town (legislative), Pretoria
(administrative) and Bloemfontein (judicial). Johannesburg is the largest
industrial, financial and cultural center in South Africa. Cape Town and Durban
are two of the most popular holiday playgrounds. Notable cities and towns from a
historical and cultural point of view include: Pietermaritzburg, Grahamstown,
Graaff-Reinet, Port Elizabeth, Kimberley and Stellenbosch.
POPULATION
The population is currently estimated at approximately +- 47,200,000 (2006).
Population Density 35.3 per sq km. Most Whites are descended from Dutch, French,
British and German immigrants who settled in the country between the 17th and
19th centuries. In more recent times, the country has attracted additional
immigrants from these countries, as well as other parts of Europe, China and
Africa north of the Limpopo.
Unofficial estimates put the number of people of
Portuguese extraction (the largest group of recent immigrants) at half a
million. It's said that apart from New York, there is no city outside Israel
which is quite as Jewish as Johannesburg, where some 60% of the country's
120,000 Jews live.
The Black population is made up of several major
ethic groups. The majority are Zulu's, followed by Xhosas, North Sothos, South
Sothos, Tswanas, Shangaan-Tsongas and Swazis. All are descendants of tribes who
migrated south from central Africa. About 50% of South Africa's Blacks are
urbanized. The majority of Coloureds (people of mixed racial origins) inhabit
the eastern Cape.
Cape Malays, a subgroup, number about 200,000, and most
inhabit the Cape Peninsula, with a heavy concentration in Cape Town's Malay
Quarter. The first Asians arrived in 1860 to work on Natal's sugarcane fields,
and today over 85% of South Africa's Indians live in Natal. After India,
Pakistan and Sri Lanka, South Africa's Indian community is the fourth largest in
the world. Many are prosperous merchants, traders and professional people.
LANGUAGES
English and Afrikaans, only two of 11 official languages, are spoken throughout
the country. The official languages at national level are Afrikaans, English,
Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu. Official
notices and road signs appear in both languages. Each of the Black groups has
its own language.
Urbanized Blacks are usually competent in English and/or
Afrikaans. A number of (mainly older generation) Indians still speak the
languages of their forefathers, but the practice is gradually falling away in
favor of English. Languages such as French, German ad Italian are spoken by
staff members at many up market hotels and shops.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Efficiency is the keynote of the South African infrastructure: travel and
accommodation reservations may be relied upon with confidence.
ACCESS
The national carrier, South African Airways, and several international air and
shipping lines link the country with the rest of the world. South Africa's
international airports are situated in the vicinity of Johannesburg, Durban and
Cape Town.
DOMESTIC TRANSPORT
Road and transport systems are the finest on the continent. The road network
links all centers, from the largest metropolis to the tiniest village. In
addition to domestic airlines, the following transport options are available:
railways (the Blue Train offers a five-star ride), inter-city coaches and
fly-drive safaris. 'Designer' tours, arranged to suit individual preferences,
are offered by this operator. Major international car hire companies are
represented in South Africa.
ACCOMMODATION
Standards are generally high. All tourist accommodation establishments,
belonging to the national grading and classification scheme are graded and
classified. A one-star grading ranks as good; five stars indicate that the
establishment is outstanding. Classification indicates those establishments that
offer superior standards of service and hospitality. In addition to hotels,
tourist accommodation encompasses motels, holiday flats and chalets, beach
cottages, game lodges, guest farms and youth hostels.
Caravan/camping parks
occur throughout the country. Time-share units are a relatively new, but fast
developing concept. On a limited scale, accommodation in private homes provides
an attractive option. Farm holidays are catching on fast, and these are offered
throughout the country - a boon for city people who yearn for wide open spaces
and a simple life style.
COMMUNICATION
A direct dialing service connects all local centers except for tiny villages in
remote country districts. Europe, North and South America, Australia, New
Zealand and India, the Republic of China, Hong Kong, Japan and Israel are among
a large number of places where subscribers may be dialed direct. Major hotels
and businesses have telex and fax services.
ELECTRICITY
220/230 volts AC; 250 volts AC, 50Hz. three-pin round plugs are in use. Most
city and town power systems are 220/230 volts AC at 50 cycles per second. The
Pretoria power system generates 250 volts and Port Elizabeth 220/250 volts.
(Adapters for electric shavers and hair dryers are obtainable locally.)
WATER
Tap water is purified but not 100% safe to drink.
MALARIA / BILLHARIA PRECAUTIONS
Visitors to the eastern Transvaal lowveld and northern Natal should take
anti-malaria tablets before, during and after their stay. The tablets are
obtainable without prescription from local pharmacies. It is inadvisable to swim
in rivers; and lakes in the eastern and northern regions of the country, as the
bilharzia parasite may be present in the water.
MONETARY SYSTEM
The South African currency unit is the Rand, denoted by the symbol R. R1 = 100
cent.
The Rand Exchange Rate is in Your Favor!
In addition to shopping bargains, an up market hotel will cost you a fraction of
the tariff charged by equivalent establishments elsewhere. And the same applies
to fine cuisine and wine, entertainment and transport.
VAT (VALUE ADDED TAX)
VAT, currently at 14%, is included in the marked/quoted price of most goods and
services. Foreign tourists may claim refunds of VAT paid on goods which they
take out of South Africa. Information leaflets on the procedure to follow to
claim VAT refund, are available from Vat Refund Administration offices at the
borders and airports.
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