Republic of South Africa · Southern Africa
View on the interactive map →| Capital | Pretoria |
|---|---|
| Population | 57.8 million |
| Area | 1,221,037 km² (471,445 mi²) |
| Official language(s) | Afrikaans, English, Southern Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu |
| Currency | South African rand (R) |
| Region | Africa |
| Subregion | Southern Africa |
| Continent | Africa |
| Demonym | South African |
| Calling code | +27 |
| Time zone | Africa/Johannesburg |
| Government type | Parliamentary republic (three capitals) |
|---|---|
| Major political parties | African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance, EFF, and others |
| National motto | !ke e꞉ ǀxarra ǁke (Unity in Diversity) |
| Major religions | Christianity (majority), Traditional beliefs, Islam, Hinduism |
| Important cities | Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Bloemfontein |
Independence / founding: Union formed 1910; democratic majority rule from 1994
After Dutch and British colonisation, the Union of South Africa formed in 1910. The apartheid system (1948–1994) enforced brutal racial segregation until a negotiated transition brought Nelson Mandela to power in the first fully democratic election of 1994. It uniquely splits its capital across three cities.
| National animal / bird | Springbok; blue crane (national bird) |
|---|---|
| National dish | Braai (barbecue), bobotie, biltong |
| Music | Kwaito, amapiano, jazz |
| National sport | Rugby, football, cricket |