Down, down, at the southernmost tip of the African continent, stretches South Africa, which also includes two independent states: Lesotho and Swaziland.
To the north, South Africa borders Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe; while to the east and west it is washed by two oceans, the Indian and the Atlantic, which meet at the southern tip of the Cape.
South Africa Climate
In terms of climate and environments, South Africa is the most diverse you can find on the face of the earth. The Atlantic coast is characterized by cool currents and a generally drier territory compared to the one washed by the Indian Ocean, where hot humid weather prevails and the vegetation is more lush.
What to see in South Africa
The heart of South Africa is a large semi-desert region, crossed by the two main rivers, Orange and Limpopo, which roughly outline its borders. Between this area and the coast run mountain ranges, whose presence justifies additional climatic zones and particular habitats. Finally, the fact that almost everything is located south of the Tropic of Capricorn means that the inland altitude fluctuates between 3500 meters in the mountains and 2000 meters on the plateaus, creating a multitude of spectacular and ever-changing landscapes that inspire wonder in every visitor. Even the most experienced and demanding one.
To the north, the Highveld region stands out, a plateau with savannahs and grasslands, where livestock farming is the predominant activity. To the east, instead, run the Lowveld, low lands with a semi-tropical climate, with vast uninhabited areas covered by wooded and bushy savannah, home to a very rich wildlife (the famous Kruger Park is located right here).
But South Africa is also an incredible mix of human races. On its approximately 1,219,900 sq km, 47 million individuals coexist, of which 79% are black Africans; 9.6% white Africans; 8.9% so-called coloured Africans; and 2.5% Indians and Asians. There are many official languages: ranging from English to isiZulu, from Afrikaans to Setswana, with a consequent wealth of cultures, customs, and traditions. In short, the world in one country.
South Africa: the most important cities
South Africa is undoubtedly a fascinating land that hides multiple souls within itself. For those planning a trip, starting to build an itinerary that includes not only the natural aspect but also the one more oriented towards discovering the cities can be useful by highlighting the top 10 cities in South Africa. This concise list will therefore allow you to take note of places certainly worthy of a visit, in addition to the more well-known metropolises and main cities.
These are in fact also “minor” cities – so to speak – that hardly enter the more classic tours of South Africa, yet should be carefully considered because they know how to tell the visitor the character of this country.
- Cape Town, Western Cape: the most beautiful metropolis in the country, absolutely unmissable;
- Johannesburg, Gauteng: the modern center of the country, it is its financial hub;
- Durban, KwaZulu-Natal: everything revolves around the waterfront, lots of nightlife, venues and fun;
- Pretoria, Gauteng: “serious” and institutional, the city reveals a cultural and entertainment side to enjoy.
- Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape: the wonderful beaches and renowned hospitality make it a special place to spend holidays in Algoa Bay.
- Bloemfontein, Free State: also called “The City of Roses”, this location is rich in history;
- Nelspruit, Mpumalanga: lively metropolis, just a step from Kruger National Park;
- Kimberley, Northern Cape: a tourist and agricultural center, the city is mostly known for its diamonds.
- Polokwane, Limpopo: a decidedly magical place, also called “place of peace”. We are near the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park and the Vhenda landscape.
- Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal: the colonial style and landscape make it a little gem worth visiting with interest.
- Rustenburg, prairies as far as the eye can see.
South Africa Data Sheet
- Country: Republic of South Africa
- Area: 1,219,000 sq km
- Capital: Pretoria
- Population: 46,200,000 inhabitants
- Language: there are multiple official languages. The most important are English, Afrikaans, and Zulu
- Religion: predominantly Christian
- Form of Government: Presidential Republic
- Major cities: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban, Roodepoort, Soweto, Springs
Useful Information about South Africa
- Currency: South African rand
- International dialing code: 0027
- International car code: ZA
- Driving side: left
- Entry documents: Passport
- Vaccination required: No
- Electric current: 240V
- Unit of measurement: metric decimal
- Time zones: +2
- Fixed-date public holidays: April 27 Freedom Day
- Climate: mild in the coastal area, drier inland. Summers are hot, winters are dry, and snowfall can occur in the mountainous areas.
- Average temperatures: 16.6°C (21°C in winter, 12°C in summer)
- Transport: public transport is limited and expensive for both buses and trains
- Airports: Johannesburg, Durban, East London, Cape Town
