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Information regarding South Africa

OUR COUNTRY IN A NUTSHELL

At the southernmost tip of the African Continent lies a country just waiting to be discovered, a place that offers endless opportunities for adventure, relaxation and cultural sharing. It is a large and scenically diverse country, ringed by beautiful beaches and the blue-green watersof two oceans.

Our people are friendly, our beaches and surf are clean and safe, our flora and fauna unique, our cuisine exquisite and our forests emerald green, all contained within an area ofapproximately 1 220 000 square km. The whole of South Africa is larger than Germany, France,Italy, Belgium and Holland put together and offers just as much cultural diversity.

South Africa’s long, almost 3000-km, coastline offers views of unsurpassable beauty and plenty of opportunities for swimming and water sport. Some of our beaches host regular international surfing competitions and our harbours are popular destinations with yachtowners from all over the world. Inland, South Africa provides access to the bordering countries of Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, Mozambique and the Kingdom of Swaziland. The small Kingdom of Lesotho lies in the south-east of the country and is completely enclosed by South Africa. Our sophisticated infrastructure makes it the ideal starting point for a tour of the African Continent. The well-developed road and transport system, as well as the excellent accommodation and telecommunications facilities enable visitors to enjoy their stay in comfort. South Africa offers foreign visitors all the comforts they may desire against the backdrop of the unspoilt splendour of Africa.

South Africa is known as a country that houses an amazing diversity of fauna and flora and geographical features within its borders. The scenic diversity is partly caused by the effect of the cold north-flowing Benguela Current on the west coast and the warm south-flowing Mozambique-Agulhas Current on the east coast. The contrast in temperature is part of the reason why the east and west coasts of South Africa have significant differences in climate and vegetation. It also causes big differences in the marine life of the two coasts.

South Africa’s surface is divided into two major physiographic features - the interior plateau and the land between the plateau and the coast. The boundary between these two areas is the Great Escarpment, the most prominent and continuous mountainous feature in the country. Its height above sea level varies from 1 500 m in the south-west to 3 482 m in the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg Mountain Range. Inland from the Escarpment lies the interior plateau with its wide-open plains. Within the contrasting zones of the country some of the world’s most diverse animal and plant kingdoms are found. In fact, South Africa is the only country in the world that can boast of having its own unique floral kingdom, the Cape fynbos.

At the southernmost tip of the African Continent lies a country just waiting to be discovered, a place that offers endless opportunities for adventure, relaxation and cultural sharing. It is a large and scenically diverse country, ringed by beautiful beaches and the blue-green watersof two oceans.

SOUTH AFRICA: LAND OF DIVERSITY

OUR PROVINCES

Our country is divided into nine provinces, each with its own distinct character and identity. Eastern Cape The Eastern Cape is the second largest of the nine provinces. The natural diversity of this province is remarkable, ranging from the dry desolate Great Karoo landscape to lush forests, fertile valleys, sandy beaches and the mountainous southern Drakensberg region. The main attraction of the Eastern Cape is its astonishing coastline. With its wide sandy beaches, endless sweeps of rocky coves, secluded lagoons and towering cliffs, the Indian Ocean coastline provides the province with a rich natural resource, offering an attraction for every taste.

 

 

 

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