Mind Blowing Facts About South Africa

The beauty of Information is that it empowers you and helps you learn things you didn’t think you could learn. It makes you productive and ignites the inner creativity within you. These facts about South Africa will expose you to so much more.

When we talk of South Africa, we talk of growth, advancement, and a future for the African continent. Consequently, wit the infrastructure to match any first-world country, South Africa is way above its counterparts.

If Africa as a continent took time to study and understand what our brothers and sisters are doing right in other countries; learning closely from each other’s mistakes, we would have a continent unmatched by none!

South Africa is currently the largest economy in Africa today because it’s doing something right, here are some interesting facts about South Africa you should know. They cover its economy, population, climate, languages, entertainment and lots more.

Facts about South Africa: Economy

  • The South African rand had a greater value than the US Dollar for 21 years (1961 – 1982).
  • While they are also big in Gold, South Africa is the world’s largest producer of platinum and chromium.
  • South Africa is Africa’s largest economy (after recently knocking Nigeria off this position due to the devaluation of the Naira against the US Dollar), and it’s the 33rd largest labour force.
  • It’s the 19th largest global producer of electricity, with the 18th biggest road network in the world, and the 15th longest network of railway tracks. With such facts about South Africa, why wouldn’t business flourish in such a country?
  • As a foreign investor, South Africa is open to the world. It has an investor-friendly environment which allows 100% foreign ownership.
  • Gauteng is one of the smallest provinces in South Africa, having a land area of only 1.4%. Yet, this province contributes about 34% to the national economy and an estimated 7% to the GDP of the entire African continent.

Facts about South Africa: Democracy

  • The President can serve a maximum of two five-year terms under the Constitution.
  • South Africa is a dynamic multiparty democracy with an independent judiciary having a free and diverse press.
  • The dominant law of the land is the Constitution, which came into full effect on 4 February 1997.

About Its Languages and Education

  • South Africa is a multilingual country and recognizes 11 official languages (Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sesotho sa Leboa, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, and Xitsonga) to which it guarantees equal status.
  • isiZulu is the most common home language and its spoken by the largest part of the population.

See Also: Map Of South Africa – Geographical and Historical
Overview

  • South Africa has one of the highest rates of public investment in education in the world; in 2013 the government invested over 21% of the national budget on education. A country taught how to think and not what to think, is one destined for greatness.
See also
Cape Town Time: What The Big Clock Says

Facts about South Africa: Geography and Population

  • South Africa is the world’s 26th largest country by population and 24th largest by land area.
  • Would you believe South Africa is home to some of the best fossils of early dinosaurs? (Found in the Karoo region of Western Cape), some 80% of the world’s mammalian fossils found to date were found there.
  • South Africa encompasses of mountains, subtropical forests, grasslands, wetlands, escarpment, and deserts. An all in one package! No wonder it’s a prime tourist destination.

Facts about South Africa: Entertainment, Travel, and Lifestyle

  • South Africa is the sixth best country in the world to live in, and home of some of the world’s favorite cities.
  • The uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park is an outstanding natural beauty with Africa’s highest mountain range; south of Kilimanjaro, and the largest series of rock art paintings in Africa.
  • With a total drop of 947 meters, South Africa is home to the world’s second-highest waterfall (the Tugela Falls).
  • The Cape Floral Kingdom is one of the world’s six floral kingdoms, with a collection and variety of flowers to sweep any lady off her feet.
  • It’s the home of Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu; Nobel Peace Prize winners, who both lived on the same street.
  • The Province of KwaZulu-Natal has a monarchy, specially provided for by the Constitution. Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu is the King of the Zulu Nation, with over 26 children and 6 wives.
  • At 710 feet, South Africa is the home to the highest commercial bungee jump in the world.
  • For those who want to discover Africa in the wood-paneled, gleaming five-star luxury of a bygone era. The Rovos Rail known for its luxury in the world would be your best pick.

See Also: South African Capitals – Here’s What You Need To Know

  • The Palace of the Lost City is the largest themed resort hotel in the world, surrounded by a 225-hectare man-made botanical jungle, with almost 2 million plants, trees and shrubs.
  • SAB Miller which is a South African brewery ranks as the largest brewing company in the world (by volume), as it also supplies up to 50% of China’s beer.
  • The Cape Winelands have about 560 wineries and 4,400 primary producers. The Route 62 is also considered the longest wine route in the world.
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Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton
Alexander's keen interest in digital media and tech, as well as his ability to stay updated with global business news, ensures he is always one step ahead. When he is not thinking about the future of online media, he is trying to keep up with his young son

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