SOUTH AFRICA Updated 08/11/10
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Republic of South Africa is located in the south of the African Continent, with a population of 49,109,107, making it
the 25th largest national population. It has three capitals; Pretoria is its administrative capital and Bloemfontein is its
judicial capital. Its legislative capital and largest city is Cape Town with a total population of 3,497,097. The country
encompasses 1,219,912 square kilometers making it the 25th largest country in total area. It shares boundaries with
Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Namibia, Swaziland and Lesotho.
President Jacob Zuma is recognized as the Chief of State and Head of Government and, along with Executive Deputy
President Kgalema Motlanthe, achieves that status through election of the National Assembly and holds that position
for a five-year term and is eligible for a second term. Its form of government is a republic and they celebrate the
creation of their constitution on 19th of December 1996.
The languages commonly or officially spoken are Isizulu, IsiXhosa, Afrikaans, Sepedi, English, Setswana, Sesotho,
Xitsonga and other languages. It counts among its major religions Zion Christian, Pentecostal Charismatic, Catholic,
Methodist, Dutch Reformed, Anglican, other Christian, Islam and other, unspecified and no faiths. As sources of
mass communication it has 14 AM, 347 FM, 1 Short Wave and 556 Television stations.
Major geographical features are Njesuthi, its highest point at 3,408 meters and Atlantic Ocean, its lowest point at 0
meters. Its principal waterway is the Atlantic Ocean, which measures 2,798 kilometers of coastline.
Major industries providing for the bulk of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) are mining, automobile assembly,
metalworking, machinery, textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs and commercial ship building. Its
official currency is the South African Rand.
Here’s something you may not know about South Africa. The name “Soweto” was derived form SOuth WEst
TOwnship.
Cape Agulhas- South Africa's southernmost point
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Bloemfontein- South Africa's judicial capital
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Cape of Good Hope- where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean
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Cape Town- South Africa's legislative capital and largest city
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Rhino at Kruger National Park
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South Africa has a very high rate in AIDS and I am very sorry to hear and report that. Here
are a few of the places I would like to visit; Kruger National Park, Cape Town, Pretoria and
all of the places that the animals are located. I really would love you if you went to South
Africa and help them fight AIDS and don't forget to see it all.
5 Suitcases = Let's Go Now!
4 Suitcases = Put This One On the List
3 Suitcases = May Be Worth Checking Out
2 Suitcases = So Many Other Places To See
1 Suitcase = Well, I'll Go If I Have To
Pretoria- South Africa's administrative capital
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Setjetsa- A South African dish of pumpkin and mealie meal
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Njesuthi (Mafadi)- South Africa's highest point on the border with Lesotho
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Read about human rights in my
Dad's World Post Report!
Alexander Bay- South Africa's westernmost point on the Atlantic Ocean
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Kosi Bay- South Africa's easternmost point on the border with Mozambique on the Indian Ocean
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Dancing albatrosses on Marion Island- South Africa's southernmost point on Prince Edward Islands
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Mmabotho on South Africa's border with Botswana
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Musina on South Africa's border with Zimbabwe and its northernmost point
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South Africa's border with Swaziland
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South Africa/Namibia border on the Upington Karasburg Road
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Zulu warrior in traditional dress
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Kalahari Gemsbok National Park on South Africa's border with Namibia and Botswana
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Waterfall at Witwatersrand Botanical Gardens
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Adult Prevalence Rate:
People Living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS Deaths:
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18.1% (2007 est.)
5.7 million
350,000