Core Facts / Infobox

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Official Name	Republic of South Africa
Common Name	South Africa
Political Status	Sovereign unitary parliamentary republic
ISO Codes	ZA, ZAF, 710
Internet TLD	.za
Calling Code	+27
Capital Cities	Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial)
Largest City	Johannesburg
Coordinates	30.56° S, 22.94° E
Time Zone	UTC+2 (South Africa Standard Time)
Population (2025 est.)	~63 million
Area	1,221,037 km²
Population Density	~52 per km²
Languages	11 official languages (incl. Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, English)
Currency	South African Rand (ZAR)
Driving Side	Left
GDP (Nominal)	~USD 400 billion
GDP Per Capita	~USD 6,300
HDI	Medium
Life Expectancy	~64 years
Continent & Subregion	Africa — Southern Africa
National Day	Freedom Day (27 April)
National Anthem	National Anthem of South Africa

Geography & Environment

• Located at the southern tip of the African continent.
• Borders Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, and Lesotho.
• Features plateaus, mountains, savannas, deserts, and long coastlines.
• Climate varies from Mediterranean to subtropical and desert.

Demographics

• Population: ~63 million.
• Highly urbanized population.
• Major cities: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria.
• Ethnically diverse society.
• Religions: Christianity (majority), traditional beliefs, Islam, Hinduism.

History

• Indigenous Khoisan and Bantu-speaking peoples.
• European settlement began in the 17th century.
• Apartheid system enforced from 1948 to 1994.
• First multiracial democratic elections held in 1994.

Government & Politics

• Political system: Parliamentary republic.
• Head of State & Government: President.
• Legislature: bicameral Parliament.
• Administrative divisions: 9 provinces.

Economy

• Upper-middle-income, diversified economy.
• Key sectors: mining, manufacturing, services, finance.
• Main exports: gold, platinum, coal, vehicles.
• Strengths: developed financial sector, industrial base.
• Weaknesses: unemployment, inequality, energy constraints.

Culture & Society

• Known as the “Rainbow Nation”.
• Rich cultural diversity in languages, music, and traditions.
• Strong influence in African arts and media.

Food & Cuisine

• Traditional foods: braai, bobotie, bunny chow.
• Cuisine influenced by African, Dutch, Malay, and Indian traditions.

Education & Institutions

• Well-developed higher education sector.
• Major universities: University of Cape Town, University of the Witwatersrand.

Tourism

• Major global tourism destination.
• Top attractions: Kruger National Park, Table Mountain, Cape Winelands.
• Renowned for wildlife safaris.

Practical Information

• Emergency number: 112.
• Plug type: M/C/D; Voltage: 230V.
• Developed transport infrastructure in major cities.

Sports, Entertainment & Notable People

• Popular sports: football, rugby, cricket.
• Hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
• Notable figures: Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu.

Famous For

• Apartheid history and peaceful transition to democracy.
• Wildlife and national parks.
• Rugby and sporting success.
• Cultural and ethnic diversity.

Sources

• World Bank
• United Nations (UN Data)
• IMF
• CIA World Factbook
• Statistics South Africa