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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.

💡 Interesting Facts about South Africa

  1. South Africa has 11 official languages — the most of any country in the world.
  2. South Africa is the only country to have voluntarily dismantled its nuclear weapons.
  3. South Africa hosted the first heart transplant in 1967 by Dr Christiaan Barnard.
  4. The Cradle of Humankind near Johannesburg has the world's richest collection of human fossils.

✈️ 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
💛 Affordable
Budget–Mid — compared to global average
🍽️
Meal Cost
$4–10
average restaurant meal
🏨
Hotel Cost
$30–100
per night
🛂
Visa
Visa-free for most Western nationalities
entry requirements
🔌
Plug Type
Type M/N, 230V
electrical standard
🚗⬅️
Driving Side
Left
side of the road

⚠️ Travel information is approximate and may change. Always verify visa requirements, entry rules and travel advisories with official government sources before travelling.

📍 South Africa on the Map

🌍
📍 Cape Town, South Africa

⚠ 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

🏔️
Open Wikipedia ↗
Table Mountain

A flat-topped UNESCO mountain towering over Cape Town and Table Bay

↗ Learn more on Wikipedia
🦏
Open Wikipedia ↗
Kruger National Park

South Africa's iconic Big Five safari reserve — one of Africa's largest game reserves

↗ Learn more on Wikipedia
🌊
Open Wikipedia ↗
Cape of Good Hope

The dramatic rocky headland where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet

↗ Learn more on Wikipedia
🕊️
Open Wikipedia ↗
Robben Island

A UNESCO island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of his 27 years

↗ Learn more on Wikipedia

🗺️ Countries Bordering South Africa

🇳🇦
Namibia
Windhoek
🇧🇼
Botswana
Gaborone
🇿🇼
Zimbabwe
Harare
🇲🇿
Mozambique
Maputo
🇱🇸
Lesotho
Maseru

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about South Africa

What is the capital of South Africa?

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

What language is spoken in South Africa?

The official language(s) of South Africa are 11 official languages.

What is the population of South Africa?

The population of South Africa is approximately 60.1M.

What currency does South Africa use?

South Africa uses the Rand (ZAR).

What continent is South Africa in?

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

What is the GDP of South Africa?

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

What is the best time to visit South Africa?

The best time to visit South Africa is May–September (safari), December–February (Cape Town). The climate is Varies — Mediterranean cape, subtropical coast, semi-arid interior.

Do I need a visa for South Africa?

Visa-free for most Western nationalities

🌍 Explore More Countries in Southern Africa

🇿🇼
Zimbabwe
Harare
🇦🇴
Angola
Luanda
🇧🇼
Botswana
Gaborone
🇸🇿
Eswatini
Mbabane

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