- Outline of South Africa
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An enlargeable map of the Republic of South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a sovereign country located at the southern tip of Africa.[1] South Africa's coast stretches 2,798 kilometres[2] and borders both the Atlantic and Indian oceans.[3] To the north of South Africa lie Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland, while the Kingdom of Lesotho is an independent enclave surrounded by South African territory.[4]
Modern human beings have inhabited South Africa for more than 100,000 years.[5] However, with the discovery of the Cape Sea Route, the Dutch East India Company founded a refreshment station at what would become Cape Town in 1652.[6] Cape Town became a British colony in 1806. European settlement expanded during the 1820s as the Boers (original Dutch settlers) and the British 1820 Settlers claimed land in the north and east of the country. Conflicts arose between the original inhabitants of the land, the Khoi, Xhosa and Zulu, and the new European settlers. However, the discovery of diamonds and later gold triggered the conflict known as the Anglo-Boer War as the Boers and the British fought for the control of South Africa's mineral wealth. Although the Boers were defeated, limited independence was given to South Africa in 1910 as a British dominion. Anti-British policies focused on ultimate independence which was achieved in 1961 when South Africa was declared a republic. The leading National Party legislated segregation known as apartheid despite opposition both in and outside of the country. In 1990, upon his release from prison, Nelson Mandela as well as the then president F.W. de Klerk began to dismantle this legislation, and in 1994 the first democratic election was held in South Africa. This election brought Nelson Mandela and the current ruling party, the African National Congress to power.
South Africa is known for its diversity, and eleven official languages are recognised in its constitution.[3] English is the most commonly spoken language in official and commercial public life, however it is only the fifth most spoken home language.[3] South Africa is ethnically diverse, with the largest Caucasian, Indian, and racially mixed communities in Africa. Although 79.5% of South Africa's population is Black, this category is neither culturally nor linguistically homogenous, as they speak a number of different Bantu languages, nine of which have official status.[3] In 2006, South Africa's population was estimated at 47.4 million people.[3]
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to South Africa:
General reference
An enlargeable basic map of South Africa- Pronunciation:
- Common English country name: South Africa
- Official English country name: The Republic of South Africa
- Common endonym(s):
- Official endonym(s):
- Adjectival(s): South African
- Demonym(s): South Africans
- Etymology: Name of South Africa
- ISO country codes: ZA, ZAF, 710
- ISO region codes: See ISO 3166-2:ZA
- Internet country code top-level domain: .za
Geography of South Africa
An enlargeable topographic map of South AfricaMain article: Geography of South Africa- South Africa is: a country
- Location:
- Eastern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere
- Africa
- Time zone: South African Standard Time (UTC+02)
- Extreme points of South Africa
- High: Mafadi 3,450 m (11,319 ft)
- Low: South Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean 0 m
- Land boundaries: 4,862 km
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- Coastline: 2,798 km
- Population of South Africa: 47,850,700 (July 1, 2007) - 26th most populous country
- Area of South Africa: 1 221 037 km2
- Atlas of South Africa
Environment of South Africa
An enlargeable satellite image of South AfricaMain article: Environment of South Africa- Climate of South Africa
- Environmental issues in South Africa
- Green building in South Africa
- Ecoregions in South Africa
- Renewable energy in South Africa
- Geology of South Africa
- Protected areas of South Africa
- Biosphere reserves in South Africa
- National parks of South Africa
- Wildlife of South Africa
- Flora of South Africa
- Fauna of South Africa
- Birds of South Africa
- Mammals of South Africa
Natural geographic features of South Africa
Main article: Landforms of South Africa- Glaciers in South Africa: none [7]
- Islands of South Africa
- Lakes of South Africa
- Mountains of South Africa
- Rivers of South Africa
- Waterfalls of South Africa
- Valleys of South Africa
- World Heritage Sites in South Africa
Regions of South Africa
Main article: Regions of South AfricaEcoregions of South Africa
Main articles: List of ecoregions in South Africa and Ecoregions in South AfricaAdministrative divisions of South Africa
Main article: Administrative divisions of South AfricaProvinces of South Africa
Main article: Provinces of South Africa- Western Cape
- Northern Cape
- Eastern Cape
- KwaZulu-Natal
- Free State
- North West
- Gauteng
- Mpumalanga
- Limpopo
Districts of South Africa
Main article: Districts of South Africa- City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality
- West Coast
- Cape Winelands
- Overberg
- Eden
- Central Karoo
- Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality
- Cacadu
- Amatole
- Chris Hani
- Ukhahlamba
- OR Thambo
- Alfred Nzo
- Xhariep
- Motheo
- Lejweleputswa
- Thabo Mofutsanyane
- Northern Free State
- Namakwa
- Pixley ka Seme
- Siyanda
- Frances Baard
- Kgalagadi
- Bojanala Platinum
- Ngaka Modiri Molema
- Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati
- Dr Kenneth Kaunda
- West Rand
- City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality
- Sedibeng
- Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
- Metsweding
- City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality
- Mopani
- Vhembe
- Capricorn
- Waterberg
- Sekhukhune
- Gert Sibande
- Nkangala
- Ehlanzeni
- Amajuba
- Zululand
- Umkhanyakude
- uThungulu
- Umzinyathi
- Uthukela
- Umgungundlovu
- iLembe
- eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality
- Ugu
- Sisonke
Municipalities of South Africa
Main article: Municipalities of South Africa- Capital of South Africa: Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial) and Cape Town (legislative)
- Cities of South Africa
Demography of South Africa
Main article: Demographics of South AfricaGovernment and politics of South Africa
- Main article: Government of South Africa and Politics of South Africa
- Form of government:
- Capital of South Africa: Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial) and Cape Town (legislative)
- Elections in South Africa
- (specific elections)
- Political parties in South Africa
- Political scandals of South Africa
- Taxation in South Africa
Branches of the government of South Africa
Main article: Government of South AfricaExecutive branch of the government of South Africa
Legislative branch of the government of South Africa
- Parliament of South Africa (bicameral)
Judicial branch of the government of South Africa
Main articles: Courts of South Africa and Judiciary of South Africa- Constitutional Court of South Africa
- Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa
- High Court of South Africa
- Magistrates' Courts of South Africa
Foreign relations of South Africa
Main article: Foreign relations of South AfricaInternational organization membership
The Republic of South Africa is a member of:[1]
Law and order in South Africa
Main article: Law of South Africa- Capital punishment in South Africa
- Constitution of South Africa
- Crime in South Africa
- Human rights in South Africa
- LGBT rights in South Africa
- Freedom of religion in South Africa
- Law enforcement in South Africa
Military of South Africa
Main article: Military of South Africa- Command
- Commander-in-chief: President of South Africa
- Minister of Defence of South Africa
- Department of Defence of South Africa
- Commander-in-chief: President of South Africa
- Forces
- Military history of South Africa
- Military ranks of South Africa
Local government in South Africa
Main article: Local government in South AfricaHistory of South Africa
- Main article: History of South Africa, Timeline of the history of South Africa, and Current events of South Africa
Culture of South Africa
Main article: Culture of South Africa- Architecture of South Africa
- Cuisine of South Africa
- Ethnic minorities in South Africa
- Festivals in South Africa
- Humour in South Africa
- Languages of South Africa
- Media in South Africa
- National symbols of South Africa
- People of South Africa
- Prostitution in South Africa
- Public holidays in South Africa
- Records of South Africa
- Religion in South Africa
- Buddhism in South Africa
- Christianity in South Africa
- Catholicism in South Africa
- Protestantism in South Africa
- Hinduism in South Africa
- Islam in South Africa
- Judaism in South Africa
- Sikhism in South Africa
- World Heritage Sites in South Africa
Art in South Africa
- Art of South Africa
- Cinema of South Africa
- Literature of South Africa
- Music of South Africa
- Television in South Africa
- Theatre in South Africa
Sports in South Africa
Main article: Sports in South Africa- Football in South Africa
- Cricket in South Africa
- Rugby union in South Africa
- South Africa at the Olympics
Economy and infrastructure of South Africa
Main article: Economy of South Africa- Economic rank, by nominal GDP (2007): 30th (thirtieth)
- Agriculture in South Africa
- Banking in South Africa
- Communications in South Africa
- Companies of South Africa
- Currency of South Africa: Rand
- Financial rand (abolished)
- ISO 4217: ZAR
- Economic history of South Africa
- Energy in South Africa
- Energy policy of South Africa
- Oil industry in South Africa
- Health care in South Africa
- Mining in South Africa
- Johannesburg Stock Exchange
- Tourism in South Africa
- Transport in South Africa
- Airports in South Africa
- Rail transport in South Africa
- Roads in South Africa
- Water supply and sanitation in South Africa
Education in South Africa
Main article: Education in South AfricaSee also
Main article: South Africa- Index of South Africa-related articles
- List of international rankings
- List of South Africa-related topics
- Member state of the Commonwealth of Nations
- Member state of the Group of Twenty Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors
- Member state of the United Nations
- Outline of Africa
- Outline of geography
Southern Ndebele language References
- ^ a b "South Africa". The World Factbook. United States Central Intelligence Agency. July 3, 2009. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sf.html. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
- ^ "South African Maritime Safety Authority". South African Maritime Safety Authority. http://www.samsa.org.za/. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
- ^ a b c d e "South Africa Fast Facts". SouthAfrica.info. April 2007. http://www.southafrica.info/about/facts.htm. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
- ^ "Encyclopædia Britannica Online". Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.. http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9113829/LESOTHO.
- ^ "A Short History of South Africa". SouthAfrica.info. http://www.southafrica.info/about/history/history.htm. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
- ^ "African History Timeline". West Chester University of Pennsylvania. http://courses.wcupa.edu/jones/his311/timeline/t-19saf.htm.
- ^ The only glaciers in Africa are on Mt Kenya (in Kenya), on Kilimanjaro (in Tanzania), and in the Ruwenzori Mountains (which are located in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo). See Proceedings of the Riederalp Workshop, September 1978; Actes de l'Atelier de Riederalp, septembre 1978): IAHS-AISH Publ. no. 126, 1980.
External links
Wikimedia Atlas of South Africa
- Government of South Africa
- SouthAfrica.info
- Outline of South Africa travel guide from Wikitravel
- South Africa entry at The World Factbook
- Outline of South Africa at the Open Directory Project
Outlines General reference · Culture and the arts · Geography and places · Health and fitness · History and events · Mathematics and logic · Natural and physical sciences · People and self · Philosophy and thinking · Religion and belief systems · Society and social sciences · Technology and applied sciencesCategories:- Outlines of countries
- South Africa-related lists
- Geography of South Africa
- History of South Africa
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