The Republic of South Africa is one of the richest countries in Africa. It combines primitive and modern, and instead of one capital - three. The article below discusses in detail the EGP of South Africa, the geography and features of this amazing state.
General information
The state, known in the world as the Republic of South Africa, the local population is accustomed to call Azania. This name originated in the days of segregation policy and was used by the indigenous African population as an alternative to colonial. In addition to popular names, there are 11 official names of the country, which is associated with a variety of state languages.
EGP South Africa is much more profitable than many other states on the continent. This is the only African country that is part of the G20. People come here for diamonds and impressions. Each of the nine provinces of South Africa has its own landscape, natural conditions and ethnic composition, which attracts a huge number of tourists. The country has eleven national parks and many resorts.
The presence of three capitals, perhaps, adds to South Africa's uniqueness. They divide among themselves various state structures. Pretoria has the government of the country, so the city is considered the first and main capital. The judiciary, represented by the Supreme Court, is located in Bloemfontein. There is a parliament building in Cape Town.
EGP South Africa: briefly
The state is located in southern Africa, washed by the Indian and Atlantic oceans. In the north-east, South Africa’s neighbors are Swaziland and Mozambique, in the north-west - Namibia, the country shares the northern border with Botswana and Zimbabwe. Not far from the Dragon Mountains is an enclave of the Kingdom of Lesotho.
By area (1 221 912 sq. Km), South Africa is in 24th place in the world. It is about five times bigger than the UK. The characteristic of the EGP of South Africa will not be complete without a description of the coastline, the total length of which is 2798 km. The mountainous coast of the country is not very dissected. In the eastern part is St. Helina's Bay and Cape of Good Hope. There are also bays and bays of St. Francis, Falsbey, Algoa, Walker, Canteen. Cape Igolny is the southernmost point of the continent.
Broad access to the two oceans plays an important role in the EGP of South Africa. Along the coast of the state are sea routes from Europe to Southeast Asia and the Far East.
History
EGP South Africa was not always the same. Various historical events in the state influenced its changes. Although the first settlements appeared here at the beginning of our era, the most significant changes in the EGP of South Africa in time occurred from the 17th to the 20th century.
The European population, represented by the Dutch, Germans and French Huguenots, began to populate the territory of South Africa in the 1650s. Prior to this, the Bantu, Koy-Koin, Bushmen, and other tribes lived on these lands. The arrival of the colonists caused a series of warriors with the local population.
Since 1795, Britain became the main colonizer. The British government pushes the Boers (Dutch peasants) to the Orange Republic and the province of Transvaal, abolishes slavery. In the 19th century, wars began between the Boers and the British.
In 1910, the Union of South Africa was created with British colonies. In 1948, the National Party (Boer) won the election and established an apartheid regime that divides the population into black and white. Apartheid deprives the black population of almost all rights, even citizenship. In 1961, the country became an independent Republic of South Africa and eventually abolished the apartheid regime.
Population
In the Republic of South Africa, approximately 52 million people live. EGP South Africa significantly influenced the ethnic composition of the country's population. Due to its favorable location and rich natural resources, the territory of the state attracted Europeans.
Now in South Africa, almost 10% of the population are ethnic white Europeans - Afrikaners and Anglo-Africans, who are descendants of colonial settlers. The Negroid race is represented by the Zulus, Tsonga, Soto, Tswana, Scythe. There are about 80% of them, the remaining 10% are mulattos, Indians and Asians. Most Indians are descendants of workers brought to Africa for reed cultivation.
The population professes various religious beliefs. Most of the inhabitants are Christians. They support the Zionist churches, Pentecostals, Dutch reformers, Catholics, Methodists. Almost 15% are atheists, only 1% are Muslims.
There are 11 official languages in the republic. The most popular among them are English and Afrikaans. Literacy among men is 87%, among women - 85.5%. In the world, the country takes 143rd place in terms of education.
Natural conditions and resources
In the Republic of South Africa, all types of landscapes and various climatic zones are represented: from subtropics to deserts. The Dragon Mountains, located in the eastern part, smoothly pass into the plateau. Monsoon and subtropical forests grow here. In the south are the Cape Mountains. On the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, the Namibia desert is located, along the northern bank of the Orange River, part of the Kalahari desert stretches.
Significant reserves of mineral resources are located in the country. Gold, zirconium, chromites, and diamonds are mined here. In South Africa, there are reserves of iron, platinum and uranium ores, phosphorites, coal. The country has deposits of zinc, tin, copper, as well as rare metals, such as titanium, antimony and vanadium.
Economy
The features of EGP South Africa have become an important factor for the development of the country's economy. 80% of metallurgical products are produced on the continent, 60% are in the mining industry. The Republic of South Africa is the most developed country on the mainland, despite this, the unemployment rate is 23%.
Most of the population is engaged in services. About 25% of residents work in the industrial sector, and agriculture accounts for 10%. In South Africa, the financial sector, telecommunications, and electricity are well developed. The country has huge reserves of natural resources, coal mining and export of coal are best developed.
Among the main branches of agriculture are animal husbandry (breeding of ostriches, goats, sheep, birds, cattle), winemaking, forestry, fishing (hake, sea bass, anchovy, mackerel, mackerel, cod, etc.), crop production. The republic exports more than 140 kinds of fruits and vegetables.
The main trading partners are China, the USA, Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, India and Switzerland. Among the African economic partners are Mozambique, Nigeria, Zimbabwe.
The country has a well-developed transport system, a favorable tax policy has been established, and the banking sector and insurance business have been developed.
Interesting Facts
- The world's first successful heart transplant was performed in Cape Town by surgeon Christian Barnard in 1967.
- The largest depression on Earth is located on the Baal River in South Africa. It was formed as a result of the fall of a giant meteorite.
- Diamond Cullinan weighing 621 g. Was found in 1905 in a South African mine. It is the largest gem on the planet.
- This is the only country in Africa that does not belong to the Third World.
- It was here that they first received gasoline from coal.
- About 18, 000 native plants grow on the territory of the country and 900 species of birds live.
- South Africa is the first country to voluntarily abandon existing nuclear weapons.
- The largest number of fossils is found in the South African region of Karru.
