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Southern Africa · Africa

South Africa

South Africa
Capital
Pretoria / Cape Town / Bloemfontein
Population
60.1M
Area
1,221,037 km²
Language
11 official languages

South Africa is a country in Southern Africa, Africa. Its capital is Pretoria / Cape Town / Bloemfontein, with a population of approximately 60.1M and a total area of 1,221,037 km². The official language is 11 official languages and the currency is the Rand (ZAR).

📊 Quick Facts about South Africa

👥
Population
60.1M
total residents
📐
Total Area
1,221,037 km²
land coverage
🏙️
Pop. Density
49/km²
people per km²
💰
GDP (nominal)
$405B
total output
💵
GDP per Capita
$6,740
per person
💱
Currency
Rand (ZAR)
legal tender
🗣️
Language(s)
11 official languages
official
🌊
Coastline
2,798 km
total shore
🕐
Timezone
UTC+2
UTC offset
🎂
Independence
1910
established
🕐
Local Time in Pretoria / Cape Town / Bloemfontein

South Africa covers an area of 1,221,037 km² with a population density of 49/km² people per km². The country has a GDP of $405B ($6,740 per capita) and gained independence in 1910. It has a coastline of 2,798 km.

Did You Know?

South Africa has 11 official languages, more than any other country. It is also the only country to have voluntarily dismantled its nuclear weapons program.

See all 14+ facts about South Africa

✈️ Travel Information for South Africa

📅
Best Time to Visit
May–September (safari), December–February (Cape Town)
Varies, Mediterranean cape, subtropical coast, semi-arid interior
💸
Cost of Travel
Budget–Mid
vs global average
🛂
Visa
Visa-free for most Western nationalities
entry requirements

⚠️ Visa requirements change frequently. Always verify with the official embassy or consulate before travel.

Full South Africa travel guide: visa, costs, plug, safety →

📍 South Africa on the Map

🌍
📍 Cape Town, South Africa
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⚠ Coverage varies by country. Zoom in or drag to explore.

🏆 South Africa World Rankings

1st
Biodiversity Hotspot
One of 6 global biodiversity hotspots
1st
Languages
Most official languages of any country, 11
1st
Gold
Historically world's largest gold producer
2nd
Africa Economy
2nd largest economy in Africa

🏛 Must-See Places in South Africa

🗺️ Countries Bordering South Africa

Namibia
Namibia
Windhoek
Botswana
Botswana
Gaborone
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Harare
Mozambique
Mozambique
Maputo
Eswatini
Eswatini
Mbabane
Lesotho
Lesotho
Maseru

⚖️ Compare South Africa with another country

See how South Africa stacks up against its neighbours and peers. Each comparison shows population, area, GDP, language, currency and more, side by side.

South AfricavsNamibia
South Africa vs Namibia
South AfricavsBotswana
South Africa vs Botswana
South AfricavsZimbabwe
South Africa vs Zimbabwe
South AfricavsMozambique
South Africa vs Mozambique
Or compare any two countries →

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about South Africa

What is the capital of South Africa?

The capital of South Africa is Pretoria / Cape Town / Bloemfontein.

What continent is South Africa in?

South Africa is located in Africa, in the Southern Africa region.

What currency does South Africa use?

South Africa uses the Rand (ZAR). The international calling code is +27.

What is the GDP of South Africa?

South Africa has a GDP of $405B, with a GDP per capita of $6,740.

🌍 Explore More Countries in Southern Africa

Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Harare
Angola
Angola
Luanda
Botswana
Botswana
Gaborone
Eswatini
Eswatini
Mbabane

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