|
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
(2004). 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.
|
