Business card Africa is the second largest continent (30, 244, 050 km²) in the world, with 54 countries and home to 933 million people. The highest point in Africa is Mount Kilimanjaro (5895 m) in Tanzania. The second longest river in the world and the first in Africa is the Nile (6,650 km), which flows from Burundi to the Egyptian Mediterranean coast. The largest African lake is Lake Victoria, which is located between the countries of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The territory of Africa is bounded by: the Mediterranean Sea in the north, the Atlantic Ocean in the west, the Red Sea in the northeast and the Indian Ocean in the east.
Africa is home to over 812 million people, or 13% of the world's population. In the second half of the XX century. The population of the continent began to grow rapidly, and in the 1980s its growth rate turned out to be one of the highest in the world - 2.9 -3.0% per year. African countries differ markedly in terms of population: Egypt, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo have a population of over 40 million people each, and Nigeria is almost 120 million people.
Africa is characterized by a high birth rate. Thanks to the improvement of socio-economic conditions and medical care, mortality has decreased, especially among children. Decreasing mortality and high birth rates result in high population growth rates in most countries. The average population density on the continent is small and is close to 22 people. per 1 km 2. It is the highest on about. Mauritius (about 500 people per 1 km 2), the lowest - in the Sahara and the countries of the Sahel zone. A significant concentration of the population remains in areas of developed agriculture (the Nile River Valley, the northern coast, Nigeria) or industrial activity (the “copper belt”, industrial areas of the PAR). Despite the predominance of the rural population, Africa is characterized by high growth rates of the urban population - over 5% per year. There are 22 millionaire cities on the continent. An important influence on the migration of the population have factors associated with uneven social economic development individual countries. Industrial areas receive immigrants from neighboring countries who are looking for work.
Military coups, constant struggle between ethnic and religious groups, military conflicts between countries lead to the appearance of a significant number of refugees in different parts of the mainland: at the end of the 20th century. There were between 7 and 9 million of them. Thus, the current demographic situation in African countries is very controversial. The population growth dynamics of the mainland is determined mainly by its natural movement. In different countries, the population grows unevenly, the characteristics of the age-sex structure remain unfavorable from an economic point of view: an insufficient number of able-bodied population, especially male, high particle children and young people, short life expectancy (for men it is 49 years, for women - 52 years). In recent years, AIDS-related deaths have become catastrophic in a number of countries
General characteristics For the economy of Africa, the following features are typical: a) versatility; b) low level of economic development; c) the agrarian nature of the economy of most countries; d) a sharp delimitation in agriculture of commodity-export production, subsistence and small-scale farming, which serves local needs; ґ) the spread of monoculture in agriculture; e) the predominance of the mining industry in industrial production; there is) the preservation of the colonial character in foreign trade. Important features of the location of the economy of most African countries are the concentration of economic activity in several centers and a significant gap in the levels of settlement and economic development of individual territories and countries. There are relatively economically developed territories in Africa that are adjacent to the capitals - a bridge that became important economic centers back in the colonial period, as well as to ports, because of which raw materials are exported and where they are partially processed (Casablanca region in Morocco, Lagos in Nigeria , Alexandria in Egypt, Mombasi in Kenya, etc.). Significant industrial and economic centers arose in the zones of extraction of mineral raw materials (the centers of the "copper belt" in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, industrial centers associated with oil and gas areas in Algeria and Libya, industrial areas of the PAR).
Africa is a world supplier of many types of tropical plant-growing raw materials: cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, spices, etc. . However, Agriculture countries that are developing, does not provide food to the local population due to the lag in most countries in the production of basic food crops from population growth rates. More than 1/3 of the area of the mainland is used in Africa's agriculture. Under arable land and perennial plantations, about 7% is occupied, under pastures - 24% of the area of the continent. The main crops in Africa are millet, sorghum, corn, rice, wheat, barley; root crops - cassava, sweet potato, yams, containers; fruit - bananas (equatorial and subequatorial zones), date (oases of deserts) and oil palms (tropics), olive (subtropics). The plantation economy in Africa is quite developed, but less than in Latin America and Southeast Asia. In the tropical zone, only separate scattered areas of plantations arose. On the territory of Africa, a significant part of the world's livestock and pack animals is concentrated. There are about 192 million heads of cattle, 210 million sheep, 176 million goats, 14 million camels on the continent. The leading place for livestock belongs to the countries of East Africa. However, animal husbandry as an area of the economy has very low output rates.
Africa's industry The share of Africa in the industrial production of the countries of the world is close to 2%. In Africa, the mining and timber industries, the areas of primary processing of raw materials (mineral and vegetable) have gained development. Recently, there have appeared enterprises of mechanical engineering, chemical industry, ferrous metallurgy, industry building materials. An important place in the economy of African countries is occupied by foreign capital. In most of the farms, the gross output of foreign and general enterprises represents close to half of the gross national product (Botswana, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Egypt, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, Kenya, etc.). The mining and mining and metallurgical industries are most developed in the African industry. Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo occupy a significant place in copper production, where the mines are concentrated in the "copper belt". In addition to copper, ores of other metals are mined in this belt, zinc, lead, cobalt, gold, silver, and uranium are enriched. In general, the mining industry is developed in 1/4 of the young: countries of the continent, but the main part of the production and mining the most important types mining raw materials account for PAR, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Energy in Africa is underdeveloped. Africa has 1/10 of the world's oil and 1/5 of the world's water resources. There are large deposits of coal. The main fuel resource in African countries is oil, the deposits of which are concentrated in Nigeria, Libya, Algeria, Egypt and the shelf of West Africa. The rivers of the Congo, Zambezi, Niger basins have a significant energy potential, but it is not used enough. The largest existing hydroelectric power plants are Aswan on the Nile, Caribou on the Zambezi, Kuindzhi on the Niger.
The manufacturing industry in African countries has not acquired much development. There are three forms of production activity: 1) primary production, processing of export agricultural raw materials (cleaning of cotton, processing of coffee, cocoa, production of butter, sugar, wine juices) typical for countries that export agricultural products; 2) production of consumer goods; for local needs (handicraft production of fabrics, subject: home use, local food semi-finished products, drinks and products of modern light and food industries. The textile industry belongs to relatively developed areas (PAR, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia); 3) difficult industry (except mining and metallurgical) poorly developed The most common oil refineries and cement plants. Large enterprises of the mining and metallurgical industry concentrated in the PAR, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Egypt. Foreign economic activity The leading role in the foreign economic relations of African countries belongs to foreign trade. Exports are dominated by coal and agricultural raw materials, while imports are dominated by finished products. Oil is exported by Algeria, Nigeria, Libya, iron ores - Liberia, Mauritania, diamonds and gold - STEAM, copper - Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, STEAM, phosphates - Morocco, uranium - Niger, Gabon, cotton - Egypt, Sudan, Tanzania, coffee - Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Angola and others, peanuts - Senegal, Sudan, olive oil - Tunisia, Morocco.
Africa is a continent with great linguistic diversity. Linguists estimate that there are 1500-2000 languages in Africa. Of these languages, the following four main groups can be distinguished: Afro-Asiatic (about 200 languages), covers almost all of North Africa (including the Horn of Africa, Central Sahara and the upper Nile). Nilo-Saharan Includes approximately 140 languages spoken by about eleven million people in Central and East Africa. Niger-Saharan (Niger-Congo languages) covers two-thirds of the African population. The main branch is the Niger-Congo group, which includes over 1,000 languages with about 200 million speakers. The Bantu languages of Central, Southern and East Africa form a subgroup of the Niger-Congo group. Khoisan accommodates about thirty languages of western South Africa. All African languages are considered official languages of the African Union.
Traditions and customs of peoples 1. Shamans Everyone has heard about shamans. But what are these “servants of the spirits” all the same? There is no consensus on this. In any case, from ancient times to the present time, shamans have been carriers of supernatural abilities, clairvoyants, and intercessors of people. Something similar to shamanism exists among the tribes of Australia, South Africa and America. One of the most remarkable properties of shamanic methods is their similarity in all parts of the planet. Shamans accompany the life of their tribesman from birth to death.
2. Masks Shaman mediator between the visible and invisible worlds, as the owner of spirits, as a supernatural healer, etc. But, so that the evil spirit does not recognize the shaman or another participant in the ritual by sight, and does not move into him, there are masks. Sometimes masks cover the entire head, like a helmet. Sometimes only the face is covered. If the mask is too heavy, a string is attached between its edges, which the dancer holds with his teeth. Stylized heads of unearthly creatures, carved from wood, painted and covered with an ornament of colored beads and small shells. Huge, intended for ritual dances, and small - masks-talismans. Often we are accustomed to consider masks an attribute of fun shows - theaters, carnivals, children's parties. But in the past, these "false faces" were taken much more seriously, playing an important, and sometimes leading role in religious rites and rituals of many peoples of the world.
Ritual dances Dance has always been an integral part of human life. Shamans were most often men, and their main instrument of influencing nature and events was and is to this day - dance. On all continents in all ancient religions, priests or their assistants used dance to praise the gods, asking for help. . . They danced for every holiday, before the hunt, before the sowing season, before the war. . . Everyone danced, both women and men, but in some cases only men participated in the dances. Dance is not only and not so much an appeal to the gods, but also an excellent training of the body and coordination of movement. If you look closely, the forms or in other words, the complexes performed by martial arts masters, with their smooth movements and transitions, resemble dance movements. I was always attracted not so much by the beauty or smoothness of movements, but by the ability to perfectly control the body, and I was impressed by the realization of how much work and perseverance had to be applied in order to achieve such a result. Even modern dances require some flexibility and endurance, only now the movements resemble wild Africans going to war. In addition, the main musical instruments are drums and other percussive metal. From the wildest times, and until now, in all countries and on all continents, people went to war to the drums, chopped off their heads, shot them, drove them through the ranks like in the Russian armies of the times of serfdom, and, of course, buried them. . .
woman from the long neck was considered the most beautiful among the Amandebele. From early childhood, women of this nation wore brass hoops around their necks, thanks to which the neck could lengthen by 40-50 cm. These hoops could not be removed, since the absence of cervical muscles would lead a woman to immediate death. Wedge-shaped or round discs were considered an important adornment for women in Africa. Women wore these discs when their husbands and mothers-in-law were away. Thus, African women tried to imitate the birds, which have a cult significance for Africans. In some African tribes, this custom goes back to the desire to shock the slave traders with their appearance. Today, African youth use only occasional lip clips, but usually no lip jewelry is used. The adornments that were put on later served as protection for the exposed parts of the body, through which evil spirits, harmful fumes, or any supernatural forces could easily penetrate into a person. Ethiopian people - surma - the most inventive decorators human body, such only exist on Earth. They choose body ornament for themselves as carefully and zealously as European dandies choose their clothes. In a few strokes of a simple natural dye, antimony is a story about yourself, about your desires and feelings, about militancy or striving for peace, about joy or sadness, about love. A Musgu woman with an aluminum clothespin on her upper lip. Such decorations were typical for many tribes of the Republic of Chad. In childhood, girls from the Lobi and Kirdi tribes had their ears, lips and nose pierced.
Official name - Republic of South Africa.
State located in southern Africa. In the north-east it borders on Mozambique, in the north- With Zimbabwe And Botswana.In North-west borders with Namibia.
Total area of South Africa is more than 1.2 million sq. km. The country is washed by the waters Atlantic And Indian Oceans.
Landscapes of natural zones prevail on the territory of the country savannah And woodlands, semi-deserts And deserts. In the east there is a coastal lowland, and in the south there is a depression. This location of the country predetermines the presence of various natural landscapes.
Most of the country is occupied by high flat plateaus "caroo" And mountains, whose height does not exceed 2500 m. Only a narrow strip of plains stretches along the coast.
It is separated from the highlands draconian ridge (Great Ledge) And Cape mountains.The highest point in the country is Mount Mont-au-Source. Its height is 3299 meters.
In South Africa there are two small enclave states - mountain kingdoms of Lesotho And Swaziland.
South Africa has several climatic zones and climatic zones.- from the desert zone to the zones of the Mediterranean climate and subtropics . dominate the country tropical And subtropical climate. January average temperature here it is from +18 C to +27 C. July average temperature- from +7 C to +10 C.
Need to know that the seasons in South Africa are the opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere. Winter here it lasts from June to August, and summer- from October to March. Spring And autumn in South Africa are quite short.
There is usually little rainfall. On the coast falls from 60 mm, on the plateau - 650 mm, on the eastern slopes of the Dragon Mountains - up to 2000 mm.
In general, we can say that the climate in the country smooth And soft throughout the year, a large number of sunny days.
Temperature sea water differs depending on the area. In the Atlantic Ocean, it is quite cool. Her average temperature is 12 ° C-17 ° C. But on the coast of the Indian Ocean, it usually warms up to 21 ° C-26 ° C.
Visas, entry rules, customs regulations
For entry into the territory of South Africa for citizens of Russia necessary apply for a visa. A visa can be obtained at the consular section of the South African Embassy located in Moscow.
To the country duty-free allowed import a small amount of alcoholic beverages, cigars and cigarettes, as well as gifts and souvenirs, the value of which does not exceed 500 South African rands. Mandatory customs control weapons, as well as antiquities and art, are subject to importation into the country. If goods worth more than 10,000 rand are imported into South Africa, then necessary pay the fee. The fee is 20% of the total amount.
To country it is forbidden import automatic and military weapons, explosives, ammunition, drugs and narcotic preparations in any form.
Population, political condition
Total population South Africa is 43.7 million people. Various nationalities and ethnic groups coexist in the country.
Black people Bantu makes up 77.6% of the total population of South Africa. also live here mestizos, that are descendants of Malagasy, Indians and Malays - 8,7%. white population is about 10.3%, Indians - 2.5%.
Currently in South Africa three capitals: Pretoria, Cape Town And Bloemfontein. City Pretoria It is the administrative capital and the seat of the president of the country.Cape Town represents legislative capital of South Africa. About 2 million people live in it. The country's parliament sits here. City Bloemfontein is judicial capital of South Africa. About 180 thousand people live in it.
The largest cities in the country: Johannesburg(1.8 million people), Durban(1 million people), Port Elizabeth(400 thousand people) and Germiston(200 thousand people).
Administratively, the country is divided into 9 provinces: Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal, North Western Province, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, Free State, Houteng, Northern Cape and Limpopo.
South Africa is republic with a presidential form of government. Country is an independent member of the British Commonwealth.
Legislature - bicameral parliament, consisting of Senate And National Assembly. Each of the 9 provinces of South Africa has its own parliament, legislature and government, accountable to the country's prime minister.
In South Africa there is 11 state languages belonging to the main groups of the population. The most widespread Zulu. English language is also widely used in the daily life of the population of the country.
What to see
Kalahari represents one of the most unusual places in the world. This famous desert is located on the ocean, but is considered one of the driest places on our planet. Here you can observe fantastic landscapes and unique animals.
In the Kalahari there are many attractions. Here is located Augrabis National Park with the famous two-stage waterfall. Tourists can also visit the magnificent Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, whose area is about 2 million hectares.
In the Eastern Cape There are a large number of national parks and reserves: Tsitsikamma, Naches Valley, Donkin, Mkambati, national park" Zebra Mountain"and Elephant National Park" Addo", lying on the border with the Cape Province. Near Algoa Bay there are chic beaches over 40 km long. Untouched" Wild Coast" interesting with huge sand dunes, oyster banks and a beautiful valley Happy Valley.
South of the Orange River located semi-desert Karoo plateau. On it lies Karoo National Park. Here is the largest river port of South Africa - East London.
In East London you can visit City Aquarium with lots of various kinds marine and freshwater fish. Interesting and East London Museum with rare items. Also popular with tourists are " ostrich capital" Oudtshoorn, nature reserves Gamka Mountain.
Famous Kruger National Park located in the Eastern Transvaal. It is the hallmark of South Africa. More than 50 species of fish, 114 species of reptiles, 507 species of birds and 147 species of mammals are represented in this unique reserve. There are interesting nurseries around the park - Sabi Sand, Skukuza, Manieleti Game and etc.
In Port Elizabeth you can visit the wonderful Oceanarium, Elephant Park And museum complex Port Elizabeth. Quite interesting are the Victorian quarters of the old part of the city.
Grahamstown considered the most English city in South Africa. Worthy of note here Cape Recife Ecological Reserve and reserve Shamwari. The latter contains the only real traditional Kaya Lendaba village on the territory of South Africa. Is widely known Addo Elephant National Park (Addo). The city is also home to the famous Cathedral of St. Michel and George.
Cape Town was founded in 1652. This city is the seat of the country's parliament and the capital of the Western Cape. The city is very attractive for tourists. It is spread out on a peninsula that separates two oceans. The peninsula ends famous Cape of Good Hope. Near the city is table mountain, whose height is 1086 m.
This city has a large number of attractions. interesting residence of the President of South Africa,one of the best botanical gardens in the world - Kirstenbosch. You can also visit longest shopping street on the continent - Furtrekker Road. South African Cultural History Museum located at Slave Lodge, which is one of the oldest buildings in the city. Jewish Museum located in the building of the oldest synagogue in South Africa.
Durban is one of the largest ports in Africa and provincial capital of KwaZulu-Natal. It is a very wealthy city and a popular resort. Durban " golden mile" ("Marine Crossing") is famous for the fact that it moored here Vasco da Gama. Today it is the best place to relax. Here come for spearfishing, diving, swimming, recreation and entertainment.
Worth seeing here St. Paul's Church, the largest mosque southern hemisphere Juma located in Indian Quarter. Traditionally popular with tourists National Museum of Natural History, Museum of Natural Sciences, Museum of Old Buildings And Center for African Art. Must visit reptile parkFitzsimmons, Dolphinarium Sea World And Durban Botanic Garden. In Ulundi located residence of the Zulu King Goodwin Zwelithini. To Dundee interesting enough Talana Museum. In Pietermaritzburg There is Natal Provincial Museum, Queen Elizabeth Park, and Vorttrekker Museum And National Botanical Garden Natal.
Amlanga Rocks is one of the most luxurious resorts in South Africa. Here it is shark institute And African Art Gallery. You can see howan reserved forest And Umgeni River Bird Park.
In Tongata quite picturesque hindu temples juggernuff puri And Vishwarup. stanger (Dukuza) represents The ancient capital of the Zulu kingdom. The city has an interesting North Shore Museum and big East market.
Unique dragon mountains And Veld are considered natural monuments. Mountain resorts are located here. These places are distinguished by picturesque landscapes.
The historical center of South Africa is the northwest of the country. Here it is provinces Gotang (Houteng) and lie arid the Transvaal plateau. It was from here that the beginning of the colonization of these lands was laid. This place is concentrated the most important cities in the country - Johannesburg And Pretoria. These cities are the financial, industrial and commercial centers of the country.
Johannesburg the locals used to call Joburg (Yosi). This city was founded in 1886. Then the gold digger George Harrison from Australia found a gold mine here. Since then, the city began to grow very rapidly. Today it is one of the richest cities in the world. It looks quite industrial. There are quite interesting buildings in the city center. The most beautiful building in the city is considered skyscraper "Diamond", quite interesting for tourists Museum of Medicine Adler, Paleontological Museum. You can also visit Rock Art Museum in the zoological park. In Johannesburg, numerous tourists are always attracted by the famous diamond factory. Here you can not only see, but also buy diamonds right after cutting. The city is home to Africa's largest multi-storey shopping mall called Sandton. "market square"is one of the most grandiose markets of the African continent.
The former suburbs surrounding the metropolis are also attractive for tourists. Worth seeing here Africa Museum in Newtown And Museum of Nelson Mandela. To Soweto is the best on the African continent zoo. Are very popular Lesedi Cultural Village in Swartkops Hills And historic Zulu village Sibaya-Zulu-Boma. Located nearby Wadderbil Park- real bird sanctuary. "gold mine" located in Rendfontein.
60 km. north of Johannesburg lies Tswane city (Pretoria). It is one of the capitals of South Africa and the administrative center of the Transvaal province. In this city it is recommended to see Kerkplats square with the old Town Hall, as well as Cathedral Square with the buildings of the Old Raadsaal and the Palace of Justice. In Braintirion Park is the official residence of the President of South Africa. At the Kruger Museum there are expositions devoted to the first president of the Transvaal, Paulus Kruger, and the history of the Anglo-Boer War.
The attractions of this city are quite interesting, such as: Monument to the First Settlers, building of the South African Reserve Bank, which is the tallest building in the city, National Zoo of South Africa And observatory "Radcliffe". Here you can also visit municipal art gallery and numerous museums.
The Dragon Mountains form a natural border with Eastern Lesotho. highest point is Mount Tkabana-Ntlenyana. Its height is 3482 m. The length of this basalt wall is about 250 km. This area is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Nature here is distinguished by its beauty and diversity. In the areas of Zululand and the North Shore tourists have an amazing opportunity to get acquainted with the culture of the Zulu peoples.
Most of the mountainous areas are occupied by national parks. The most famous and interesting of them is Royal Natal National Park. The southern border of this park is formed by the so-called " Amphitheater". This is a very unusual type of cliff. Its length is 8 km.
Not far from here is the famous Tugela waterfall 948 meters high. This waterfall consists of five cascades. Lake Santa Lucia and adjacent territories, which occupies 275 thousand hectares, were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Lake Sibaya is the largest natural freshwater lake in South Africa. Its area is 77 sq. km. In the vicinity of this lake there is a large number of reserves: Loteni, Highville, Swamp, Giant Castle, Itala, Valley, Ndumo, Mkuzi, Wilderness, Royal National Park etc. In the eastern part of the country there are magnificent reserves Umfolosi And Hluhluwe that stretched for many kilometers.
maputaland represents the land of nations tsonga. It is one of the most remote and wild regions of the country. These lands are famous for their sand dunes, which are considered the highest in the world. There are large areas with absolutely untouched nature. In these places, there is a collision of tropical and subtropical climatic zones. This fact explains the diversity of the local flora and fauna.
In Maputaland almost all existing species of wild animals of South Africa and more than four hundred species of birds are found. Numerous fans of outdoor activities come here. Coral reefs V Sodwana Bay National Park great for exciting diving and sea fishing. For lovers of sunbathing, there are excellent beaches. Unique area Cozy Bay famous for its salt lake ecosystem.
North Western Province attracts with its unique natural conditions for outdoor activities. The local fauna is striking in its richness. It will be interesting to visit many caves. Moreover, many of them are of great interest from the point of view of studying the origin of man. In this area there are lakes and streams with the purest water.
Tourists are recommended to visit here. Pilanesberg National Park, and nature reserves Medikwe, Botsalano And Faan Meintjies. Very interesting Center for Wild Animal Reproduction in Lichtenburg. Also popular are: Reptile and Animal Parkin Hartbeespoort, amusement park "Golden Reef", Vaal River. Attract visitors and places that are associated with the Boer War. There is also an entertainment city called sun city. It is an analogue of the American Las Vegas.
In the extreme south of South Africa lies the famous cape peninsula. It has a wide variety of historical and cultural attractions.
From Cape Town begins the famous " Garden Route". This is one of the most magnificent sightseeing routes in the world. From here, tourists also have the opportunity to visit Needle Cape And reserves of the Cape of Good Hope, and Fernkloof. From Cape Town you can go to resort Hermanus famous for its whale festivals.
Great popularity among numerous tourists who come to South Africa enjoy the magnificent endless beaches Kleinmond, Camps Bay, Clifton, Lianduno, Sandy Bay, Whitsands, Scarborough, Falls Bay, Mulsenberg, Fish Hook. Interesting enough Seal Island Dyulker.In Hout Bay can see giant bird colony.
In the vineyard region of Boland famous wine centers Stellenbosch, Parl, Franschhoek And Constant.
northern cape is the largest province in South Africa. This region of the great desert is interesting, first of all, for its unique wildlife. There is a very beautiful nature and a large number of minerals.
kimberley is the diamond capital of the country. This city appeared around the diamond mines. In the city center you can still see the famous Big Hole ("Great Hole"). It represents world's largest open pit mine. This mine is famous for the fact that it started with it" diamond rush"at the beginning of the last century. Here, for a small fee, tourists have the opportunity to try to find a diamond on their own.
Currently, Kimberley is a modern city. Here you can see wide streets, wonderful parks and gardens. Tourists coming to Kimberley have the opportunity to comfortably stay in modern hotels. The city has its own tourist tram. Worth a visit here William Humphreys Museum of Fine Arts. quite interesting and Mining Museum, which is located on the edge of the Big Hole.
5 km. off the Kimberley there is a diamond deposit that is still active today called Bultfontein. Numerous tourists are taken here on excursions.
interesting thunder alley rapids And Egerton Rapids on the Orange River. From here, most of the routes to the great Kalahari Desert begin.
Mosselbay And Richards Bay are major ports and resort towns of the country. Between them along the coast stretched a large number of the most luxurious hotels and beaches in the country.
In ancient times, on the territory of modern South Africa lived Bushmen, Hottentots And Bantu peoples. In 1488 Portuguese sailors discovered the southern tip of the African continent. After that, the colonization of the country began.
In 1652 the Dutch East India Company founded the first European settlement here. In the history of South Africa there are many wars between England and the descendants of the Dutch settlers. The descendants of the Dutch made up a special ethnic community - Boers. A particularly fierce struggle was waged here after diamond deposits were discovered on the territory of the country. As a result Boer War 1899 - 1902 the Boer republics were captured by Great Britain.
May 31, 1910 was formed Union of South Africa. The mass struggle against apartheid was spearheaded African National Congress(ANC), founded in 1912. On May 31, 1961, the Union was transformed into Republic of South Africa(South Africa) within the British Commonwealth.
This union included self-governing English colonies(Cape, Natal) And Boer republics (Orange Free State And Transvaal). After that, political parties were legalized in the country. In 1993, the state government began to take steps to desegregate education. On April 27, 1994, democracy came to South Africa, and an interim constitution came into force. At the same time, the first multi-racial elections to the National Assembly were held. In June of that year, South Africa regained its membership in the Commonwealth. President country was elected leader of the ANC N. Mandela.
International trade
Foreign trade is very great importance in the economic life of the country. South Africa is one of the 25 largest exporters in the world. Incomes from foreign trade make up about 50% of GDP. The volume of exports even slightly exceeds the volume of imports.
Main trading partners of the country: America, Germany, Japan, UK, France, Italy And Canada. There is a noticeable increase in the turnover of foreign trade with these states.
The main import products are cars, food, oil,vehicles And chemical products. Main import partners: Germany, USA, China, Japan, UK, France, Saudi Arabia And Iran.
The main export commodities areequipment, minerals (diamonds, gold and platinum), machinery, vehicles, foodstuffs And beverages. Main export partners:USA, UK, Japan, Germany And Netherlands.
South Africa plays a major role in activities South African Customs Union (SACU), which was established in 1969.
The shops
South African cities have the shops And shopping centers where you can buy anything you want.
souvenir shops offer a wide variety of ethnic souvenirs.
convenience stores located at gas stations and car service stations. Need to know that beer and spirits are not sold in supermarkets, only wines can be bought in them. For spirits there are specialized stores.
Shops and shopping centers of the country usually open from Monday to Friday until 18:00. On Saturday they are open until 15:00. On Sundays, shopping centers are open, some clothing stores are open until 13:00. Products on Sunday can be purchased in shopping centers until 15:00.
Demography
The demographic situation in the country is rather complicated. First of all, it is related to the problem widespread AIDS on the territory of South Africa. Because of this disease, the death rate here for a long time exceeded the birth rate. This problem has now been resolved. Thus, last year there was a small population growth, amounting to 0.8%. White population in South Africa steadily declining. This is due to their emigration to America and European countries. In addition, it also happens black influx from the neighboring state of Zimbabwe.
Industry
The main industries in South Africa are: mining industry, energy,mechanical engineering, metallurgy And telecommunications.mining industry played an important role in the development of the South African economy. However, in recent years its importance has declined significantly. Currently, its products account for only about 7% of GDP. Today it employs about 500 thousand people.
Energy share in the country's economy is quite large and amounts to 15% of GDP. South Africa is ranked 16th in terms of energy consumption. Currently, about 250 thousand people work at the country's energy enterprises. The pace of energy production is growing every year. There are many enterprises with energy-intensive production in the country.
The increase in energy production is achieved through the use of new technologies and new raw materials. But until now, the main component of the country's energy sector is coal. There is a lot of coal in South Africa and it is easily available for mining and processing. For this reason, energy in the country is quite cheap.
Recently, several hydropower complexes and enterprises that use nuclear energy.
mechanical engineering is also very important in the country's economy. Its basis is automotive And machine tool enterprises. The centers of the automotive industry in South Africa are considered to be such cities as: Port Elizabeth, Eitenhach, Cape Town, East London, Durban, Johannesburg And Pretoria.
South Africa today has the largest number of cars on the entire continent. In terms of the number of cars per capita, the country is in the top twenty. There is 1 car for 12 people.
There are also many companies in South Africa that produce maritime And rivercourt, aircraft, railway wagons And locomotives, accessories And a number of special devices.
Flora and fauna
Animal world countries are quite diverse. About 6% of all animals on our planet live in South Africa. In only one National Park, the Kruger lives about 33 species amphibians, 114 kinds reptile, 147 species animals and 507 species birds.
Common in South Africa antelopes, zebras, giraffes, jackals, hyenas, hippos crocodiles And cheetahs. Also inhabited here black and white rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants And buffaloes. South Africa is one of the few countries that has managed to avoid the complete extermination of rhinos. Restored in South Africa and population wild dog. The marine life of South Africa is presented whales, sharks and extensive colonies of seals.
South Africa is home to 7% of the world's birds. There are about 900 species of them in the country. live here ostriches, royal eagles, penguin colonies, flocks of seabirds. Found here and very rare. blue crane.
Flora South Africa is also very rich. 8% of all world plants grow in the country. About 80% of them are found nowhere else on the planet. " Path of gardens"in the Western Cape is one of the most beautiful spectacles in the world. Protea is the symbol of the country.
In the semi-desert Northern Cape, a type of vegetation is mainly distributed, called " punishment". It is a low grass cover, low shrubs and succulent plants.
Thickets of shrubs with sparse trees and an abundance of grass are called bushveld. This type of vegetation is common in the northwestern part of the Central Plateau and further to the east of the country. The main components of the bushveld are shrub and tree forms acacias, giant baobabs And mopane. The arid Northwest Province is covered in thorny shrubs, grasses, and solitary trees. Shrub vegetation prevails in the Cape region fynbos or macchia.
In the southern and southeastern coastal regions, remnants of primary forests have been preserved in places. Shrub thickets predominate at low altitudes. Grow at high altitudes herbage from high grains. Along the coast there are dense forests of stunted trees. There are also palm trees, bananas And Mimusops obovate. Grows in river mouths mangroves.
Banks and money
The most convenient mode of transport for movement around the country is considered Personal car. The total length of the country's highways is over 206,000 km. About 60 thousand km of them have a hard surface.
In South Africa, tourists can take car for rent. It's very simple. The driver for this must be at least 23 years old. With me necessary have a valid international driver's license with a photo.
In South Africa there are two types of taxi. Travel in big cities ordinary taxis with a meter. They are quite expensive. You can't catch a taxi on the street, a car need to order by phone. You can also wait for a taxi at special parking lots, but there are not many of them. exist in the country and fixed-route taxis. They are cheaper, but have a lower degree of safety and comfort. Vote in cities and on the road not accepted.
In South Africa absent well-developed public transport system. All cities have municipal buses. They run according to the approved schedule until a certain hour. The schedule of these buses is quite irregular. It is especially problematic to wait for them on weekends and holidays. There are no such buses in small towns. The total length of railways in South Africa is about 31.7 thousand km.
The country has 9 major airports. International airports are located in cities such as: Johannesburg, Durban And Cape Town.The biggest- in Johannesburg. All airports are connected with the center and major hotels by bus lines. Doing international transport five major companies
The basis of agriculture country is agriculture. Only about 22% of the territory can potentially be used for cultivation of agricultural crops. In South Africa, there are problems with the provision of fresh water. Its resources are small, but the need for fresh water is growing every year. Despite all this, agriculture in South Africa continues to develop.
The main crops of southern Africa aregrain crops (corn, wheat), are also grown here. different types fruits, grapes And sugar cane.
In animal husbandry most developed meat and dairy production. It is practiced in the north and east of the Free State province, in the interior of Hoteng province, and it is also common in the southern part of Mpumalanga province. Meat breeds predominate in the Northern and Eastern Cape. In the drylands of the Northern and Eastern Cape, the Free State and Mpumalanga, bredsheep. Country actively exports astrakhan.
Large quantities are bred in South Africa and angora goats. The country accounts for 50% of the world's mohair production. also common here Boer goat breed, her bred for meat.
poultry farming And pig breeding in South Africa, they are common on farms near large cities: Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.
In the province of the Free State in recent years, the beginning of developing ostrich breeding. South Africa gradually continues to increase export of meat, leather And feathers of this bird.
In a restaurant, tips are usually 10-12% of the total cost of the order. This amount includes drinks. Porters accepted give from 2 to 5 rand per piece of luggage. Guide and driver usually leave 15 - 20 rand per day per person.
There is some differencein the rules of greeting between white and black South Africans. In white culture accepted so that the younger one greets the older one first. In black culture, the opposite is true - the younger must wait for the older to greet him.
South Africans English origin and black South Africans during a conversation don't look point-blank at the interlocutor. This counts indecent and perceived as aggressive. But the Afrikaners accepted constantly look the interlocutor in the eyes. If the interlocutor often looks away, then this may be perceived as a manifestation of insincerity or dishonesty.
Never it is forbidden shake your left hand when communicating with blacks and Muslims (Indians or colored people). The left hand is considered unclean in African and Muslim culture.
Black South Africans give and receive gifts two hands. This is how they express their special respect and show gratitude.
Afrikaners are generally more conservative than English-speaking South Africans. This is especially true of issues of race relations and family relations. The younger ones quite often can use the words " aunt" And " uncle". This applies not only to appeals to relatives, but also to strangers who are older than the speaker.
South Africans during a conversation trying not to let long pauses. Such pauses usually make them uncomfortable. But excessive assertiveness when conducting business negotiations with South Africans is also not needed.
In public places, black South Africans speak quite loudly, which is unusual for the white population. This is due to the traditions that have developed in their culture. They are considered to speak softly when they speak badly about someone.
South Africans have some typical gestures which we do not understand. Waving in front of the face with crossed palms turned inward means " complete lack of understanding».
And a slightly raised hand with a palm down, which moves from side to side, means " screwed up, screwed up».
White South Africans are distinguished by their great punctuality. Here, usually the date and time of the visit are negotiated a few days in advance. If an urgent meeting is needed, then you need to call and explain the reason for it.
For business or just friendly meetings accepted arrive on time. Even a slight delay of 10 minutes can ruin your relationship with South Africans. This is due to the fact that among white South Africans, being late to meetings and breaking an agreement is associated with black behavior.
Electricity
Tap water in almost all major cities and most reserves in the country is purified and safe for drinking.
The country has developed system of medical control and service. However, a unified health insurance system absent.
First aid is provided for free. All further treatment will be paid and it will be very expensive.
A very big problem in South Africa is the massive distribution HIV infections. Mostly blacks are affected.
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Business card
Territory: 1,219,912 km² Population: 48601098 people Capital: Cape Town Official language: English, Afrikaans, Venda, Zulu, Xhosa, Southern Ndebele, Swati, Northern Sotho, Sesotho, Tswana, Tsonga Government: Democratic Republic President: Jacob Zuma GDP: $505.2 billion Currency: South African rand
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State symbols
Flag of South Africa Coat of arms of South Africa
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Geographical position
The Republic of South Africa is located in southern Africa. It borders Mozambique to the northeast and Zimbabwe and Botswana to the north. In the northwest lie the borders with Namibia. On the territory of South Africa there are two small enclave states - the mountain kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland.
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Landscapes of natural zones of savannahs and light forests, semi-deserts and deserts prevail on the territory of the country. In the east there is a coastal lowland, and in the south there is a depression. This location of the country predetermines the presence of various natural landscapes.
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Climate
Tropical in the north and subtropical in the south of the country. The western coast of the country is washed by the cold Bengal current, and the eastern coast by the warm Mozambique current, which, along with the elevated relief and coastal mountain ranges, contribute to the formation of the country's special climate. The average temperature in January is from +18 C to +27 C, in July - from +7 C to +10 C, while, depending on the terrain, even neighboring areas can differ markedly from each other in air temperature. Precipitation falls from 30-150 mm. on the west coast, up to 650 mm. on the central plateaus and up to 2000 mm. on the eastern slopes of the Dragon Mountains. Pretoria average daily air temperature
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Story
The first representatives on the territory of South African lands were the Khoisan and San peoples. In the 6th century AD, the Xhosa, Zulu and also Sesotho peoples began to appear. thanks to Dutch sailors in 1652, a city called Cape Town was founded. In the 19th century, Cape Town became a colony of Great Britain, and numerous wars ensued to own all the land between the Dutch, the British and the local Zulu population. And at the end of the 19th century, South Africans lost their sovereignty. On African lands, the Boers founded the Transvaal Republic and the Orange Independent State. After the defeat in the Anglo-Boer War of 1899, these republics began to be under the rule of Great Britain. And in 1910 they were annexed to the British colony and became part of the Union of South Africa. In 1961, the Union of South Africa became the independent Republic of South Africa, which left the British-led Commonwealth of Nations. The withdrawal was due to the rejection of the policy of apartheid in South Africa by other members of the Commonwealth (South Africa's membership in the Commonwealth was restored in June 1994).
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Population
The population of South Africa exceeds 49 million people (25th in the world). South Africa is characterized by a very large diversity among the people inhabiting the country, both on racial and national grounds. The majority of the population, about 80%, are blacks belonging to various ethnic groups(Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Tswana, Sotho and others). This group also includes immigrants from other countries in Africa (in particular, Zimbabwe and Nigeria). The white population is 10% and mainly consists of descendants of Dutch, French, British and German settlers who began to populate South Africa from the end of the 17th century.
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Distribution of the black population of South Africa Distribution of the white population of South Africa The majority of the white population of South Africa lives in large cities - Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. The percentage of the white population in South Africa is the highest among all African countries. The colored "population is about 8% and is mixed race, primarily the descendants of the early settlers, their slaves and the indigenous peoples of South Africa. The remaining 2% are predominantly "Indians" (Asians), including the descendants of Indian workers and traders who moved to South Africa in the middle of the 19th century.
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Languages
Afrikaans Tswana Venda Kosa Zulu Other Northern Sotho Sesotho Swati Tsonga The very diverse ethnic composition of the population of South Africa has also led to an amazing multilingualism in the country. South Africa has 11 official languages: English, Afrikaans, Venda, Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Swati, Northern Sotho, Sesotho, Tswana and Tsonga. Before the fall of the apartheid regime, the country had state languages only English and Afrikaans. English remains the main language of international communication and trade today. Afrikaans is spoken by the vast majority of whites and people of color in South Africa. The country's blacks prefer to communicate in their native Bantu languages, but almost all of them, especially the city dwellers, understand and speak English.
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Religion
Nearly 80 percent of South Africans are Christians. Other major religious groups are Hindus, Muslims and Jews. About 5 million people adhere to traditional African tribal beliefs. A relatively small proportion of citizens do not practice any religion. The country has complete freedom of religion. The state adheres to a policy of non-interference in religious affairs.
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Administrative division
Now South Africa is a unitary state. The territory of the country is divided into 9 provinces (administrative centers): 2 1. Western Cape (Cape Town) 2. Northern Cape (Kimberley) 3. Eastern Cape (Bisho) 4. KwaZulu-Natal (Pietermaritzburg) 5. Fri -State (Bloemfontein) 6. North Western Province (Mafeking) 7. Gauteng (Johannesburg) 8. Mpumalanga (Nelspruit) 9. Limpopo (Polokwane)
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Economy
South Africa is the most economically developed country on the African continent. According to the UN classification, South Africa is a middle-income country (GDP of South Africa in 2008 amounted to 491 billion dollars, 26th in the world). South Africa has a well-developed industry, primarily processing; agriculture, there is a well-developed transport infrastructure and powerful energy. Particularly rapidly developing areas are located near the largest economic centers of the country - Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg.
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Industry of South Africa
South Africa is one of the richest countries in the world with minerals. That is why mining and processing industry is the basis of the country's economy. Gold mining is the leading industry. In South Africa, it provides about 15% of the world's gold production. In the Republic of South Africa, diamonds are mined in very large volumes. Platinum is mined in large quantities in South Africa (according to some sources - 85% of world production), palladium (30% of world production), manganese, chromium, vanadium, zirconium, nickel, lead, uranium and other valuable minerals. South Africa is one of the leading countries in the extraction of hard coal. The depleted Kimberley diamond mine, which mined 2,722 kg of diamonds between 1866 and 1914
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The chemical industry is developed in the country, in particular, the production of gasoline from coal. This invention of South African scientists is forced, because there are no oil reserves in the country. The light (textile, clothing, leather, footwear) industry is operating, cement, cellulose, and paper are produced. The food industry is very well developed in South Africa. It produces olive oil, sugar, vegetables and fruits are processed.
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Agriculture South Africa
South Africa has a very well developed modern and highly productive agriculture. climate and geographical features South Africa is not very conducive to agriculture, only 12% of the territory is suitable for cultivation, but despite this, the country is a major exporter of food products, primarily wine, corn, tobacco, peanuts and other products. Agriculture in South Africa employs about 10% of workers, its products account for about 3% of GDP and 8% of the country's exports.
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Livestock in South Africa
Animal husbandry is also well developed in the country, both cattle and goats, sheep, horses and pigs. South Africa is the world's largest producer of Angora goat mohair, South African mohair is considered the best in the world. South Africa ranks first in Africa in terms of catching fish, crustaceans and mollusks (about 1 million tons per year). South African fishermen catch sardines, herring, hake, anchovies, sea bass, mackerel, cod, mackerel, shrimp, lobster, tuna, lobster, octopus, sharks.
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"South African Republic" - Namibia. It was dug by hand with picks and shovels by diamond miners. Zimbabwe. Problematic issue: Geography teacher Nebreeva G. L. MBOU secondary school No. 1, Svetly, Kaliningrad region. Peak of the TWELVE APOSTLES. PROTEA FLOWER is a symbol of South Africa. Don't stop being surprised! Peak LION'S HEAD. Famous natural objects.
"Geography of African countries" - Road transport is the main one in the transportation of passengers. African industry. 4. Economy: sectoral and territorial structure. The average life expectancy is 50 years. The main sphere of material production in African countries is agriculture. The religious composition of the population. Which country in Africa has a predominantly urban population?
"North Africa" - Minerals of the country. Discovered wealth of Algeria: iron ores, manganese, phosphorites, oil and gas. Climate conditions in different parts of the country? Algerians are engaged in animal husbandry and lead a nomadic and semi-nomadic lifestyle. Algiers is located in northwestern Africa. With the most mineral rich countries in Africa is Algeria.
"South Africa national parks" - coordinator Corallo O.M. The only dodo egg in the world is kept in the East London Museum. Fifth day Savannah world. George "s Mall, surrounded by numerous cafes, bars and historical buildings. Olya Voronovich. The Kruger National Park, located in the Eastern Transvaal, is the country's visiting card.
"Strana South Africa" - Winemaking is developed in the southwest. Geographic location of South Africa. In the rest of the territory, the annual precipitation is 400-800 mm. Sheep, cattle, goats graze on natural pastures. Marine fisheries play an important role. General information. Animals of South Africa. Peanuts, tobacco, sugarcane, cotton and sorghum are also grown.
"Morocco geography" - Some of the specialists who once studied in Russia speak Russian. Religion. Morocco is divided into 14 regions (excluding Western Sahara). The official language is Arabic. Sunni Muslims? 98.7% (Islam is the state religion of Morocco), Christians - 1.1%, Jews - 0.2%. Islam.
There are 15 presentations in total in the topic
The Republic of South Africa is one of the richest countries on the African continent, a country of contrasts that combines primitiveness and modernity. present to the guests of the country all the most interesting and beautiful in this country - stunning beaches, magnificent mountains, deposits of precious stones and metals, wildlife monuments and other unique sights of South Africa. Millions of tourists know what to see in South Africa , coming here for new experiences, where they are warmly received by local residents and modern hotels in South Africa open their doors . Each of the 9 provinces of the republic has a unique landscape, the best sights , nature, interesting places and its ethnic composition, which attracts a huge number of tourists, educational events are held.
What to see in South Africa first
Of course, a trip to South Africa, like any other trip, must be well planned so that it is known in advance, say, what to see in South Africa in 1 day . To this end, we recommend reading the rating of the main attractions of the country worthy of attention. Where to go in South Africa in the first place?
1. Johannesburg
One of the districts of the city of Johannesburg Johannesburg is the largest locality in South Africa, where about 4 million people live today. The ethnic composition of the city's population is diverse, but nevertheless, 73% of the population is black. This is the richest city, providing about a third of the republic's gross product. Johannesburg owes such achievements mainly to the richest deposits of gold located in the surrounding areas. Today, Johannesburg is the business center of South Africa and is divided into a well-maintained north, a center that has concentrated a lot of attractions, and an unsafe, extreme south.
2. Apartheid Museum
Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg Francisco Anzola At one time, racial discrimination was a serious political problem in South Africa. Apartheid Museum - a landmark in South Africa , testifying to these sad milestones in the history of the country until the 1990s. Today, there are 22 halls inside the museum, of which the most unpleasantly impressive is the Hall of Political Execution, filled with many loops of gallows, testifying to the difficult fate of the fighters against apartheid. In other halls, photographs are presented and temporary exhibitions are held. Externally, the museum building resembles a prison, making a strong contrast against the background of the theme park Gold Reef City, located nearby.
3. Cape Town
Panorama of the city of Cape Town Cape Town is the second largest city in South Africa, with a population of about 3.5 million. It is located right on the coast Atlantic Ocean, where wildlife peacefully coexists with ultra-modern shopping malls and Dutch mansions. The oldest building in the city, as in all of South Africa, is the Fortress of Good Hope - it was around it that the city once began to be built. In 1936, a museum was organized in the premises of the fortress, which today is in demand among tourists. In addition to the museum, the South African National Gallery, which exhibits works by French and Dutch masters, is also worth a look.
4. Victoria and Alfred Embankment
Bird's eye view of the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront Today, this embankment is one of the most popular South African attractions in Cape Town. The old port was restored and landscaped in the early 1990s, and since then a whole tourist complex has been organized on this territory. Today the embankment is a lively place with an abundance of restaurants, bars, shops and entertainment venues. Various performances are organized right along the embankment, live music, African drums are played. And ancient historical buildings side by side with the most modern shopping and entertainment centers and other buildings, outwardly designed in the same “antique” style.
5. Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
A small section of the Kirstenbosch botanical garden It turns out that one of the largest botanical gardens in the world is located in South Africa - this is Kirstenbosch, and we can safely say that this attraction is definitely worth seeing in South Africa. A rich world of extraordinary flora and fauna is located at the foot of Table Mountain. The history of the botanical garden began in the 15th century, when the first conquerors of these lands decided to settle here. After that, many owners survived the land, when in the 19th century they were acquired by Cecil Rhodes, who became the founder of the botanical garden. Today, there are about 7 thousand species of plants alone here, as well as a well-developed infrastructure, there are cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops.
Check out the wonderful views of South Africa in this exciting video!
6 Kalahari Desert
Red sand dunes in the Kalahari Desert There is something to visit in South Africa and among the hot deserts. Kalahari is located in the basin of the same name with an area of about 600 square kilometers, which, in addition to South Africa, captures the territories of the states of Botswana and Namibia. Kalahari is distinguished by a particularly hot arid climate with a maximum average daily temperature of + 40 ° C. The presence of iron oxides in the Kalahari sands gives the desert landscapes incredibly beautiful pink, brown, red, brown and orange hues. The Okavango River flows through the desert, in the delta of which most of the desert fauna lives - giraffes, gazelles, zebras, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, as well as many rodents and birds.
7. Kruger National Park
Elephant in the Kruger National Park Kruger Park is one of the key attractions of South Africa, as it is one of the largest nature reserves in the world. The vastness of its territories defies description - about 20 thousand square kilometers, located in the north-eastern part of South Africa. The park crosses many roads that are attractive for tourism - from here you can observe representatives of various flora and fauna. Large animals include leopards, lions, hippos, elephants, buffaloes and antelopes. Everyone can choose different ways to explore the world of the park - on a rented SUV, with stops for the night at campsites, as well as many other options.
8. Tsitsikamma Marine National Park
Suspension bridge across the mouth of the Storm River in Tsitsikamma National Park There is something to see in South Africa and among other national parks - for example, Tsitsikamma is unique in that it is the first marine national park on the mainland. It is an 80-kilometer strip of the most beautiful coastline with turbulent rivers, ravines, bays, waterfalls, relict forests and a variety of animals. It is also a major tourism center with excellent opportunities for diving, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, rappelling over gorges, hiking and other outdoor activities.
9. Pilanesberg National Park
Landscape in Pilanesberg National Park About 2 hours drive from Johannesburg, right in the crater of a former volcano, there is another natural landmark of South Africa – Pilanesberg Nature Reserve. The uniqueness of this park is that more than 1 million years ago there was an active volcano here, today rings of hills radiating from the crater remind of this. Today, on the site of the former natural elements, several dozen large mammals, more than three hundred species of birds and more than 60 species of amphibians have found their homes. Today, the park has many picnic areas, as well as viewing platforms and walking trails.
10. Dragon Mountains
The Natural Beauty of the Dragon Mountains The Dragon Mountains are the highest mountain range in South Africa and have become a favorite hiking destination for mountain lovers. It is not surprising, because this place can be called one of the most beautiful places on earth: the mountain range, entirely consisting of basalt, stretches for a distance of about a thousand kilometers. The western and eastern slopes of the mountain range have a different climate: if drought prevails in the west, then a large amount of precipitation falls over the eastern slopes. Every year, more than 2 million tourists visit these regions, equipping themselves with tents or staying in hotels intended for recreation.
11. Table Mountain
Table Mountain and Cape Town Harbor A recognizable landmark of South Africa and a visiting card of the republic is Table Mountain. It rises above Cape Town, is its symbol and is depicted on the flag of the city. The height of the mountain is 1,087 km, and its top is a gentle plateau, surrounded by rocks, which is often shrouded in fog. Table Mountain National Park, on the territory of which the mountain itself is located, has recently been recognized as one of the 7 new wonders of the world. Tourists flock here to admire the extraordinary local landscapes.
12. Lions Head Rock
Stunning view of the city of Cape Town from the top of Lions Head Translated from English, the name of the rock Lions Head literally sounds like “lion's head”. The fact is that, together with the Signal Hill hill located nearby, the rock forms a figure that is somewhat reminiscent of the figure of a lion. This small rock rises 670 meters above the sea, and an excellent view opens from the observation deck, organized on its top. That is why the rock has become a favorite place for visitors who want to take a photo against the backdrop of Cape Town panoramas and a superb African sunset, as well as for paragliders flying from here.
13. Big Hole Kimberlite Pipe
Kimberlite pipe "Big Hole" filled with water The town of Kimberley in South Africa is known for a kimberlite pipe called the Big Hole, which is a depleted diamond deposit. This gemstone mining site is recognized as the world's largest manually mined quarry - for about 40 years, about 50 thousand workers worked at the mine, extracting earth from the quarry with simple shovels, picks and crowbars. Over the years, about 22 tons of earth and about 2.7 tons of precious stone have been extracted, which is 14.5 million carats.
14. Blyde River Canyon
Blyde River Canyon covered in lush subtropical vegetation Blyde River Canyon, which is part of the Dragon Mountains, is a unique natural reserve. It was formed as a result of carving a deep gorge by the waters of the Blyde River in the rock. The depth of the gorge reaches 1.4 km, and the length is about 25 km. Unlike other canyons, Blyde River has rich vegetation and wildlife. A notable place in the canyon is the Three Sisters mountain range, which consists of three rounded twin rocks. Another interesting place is the observation deck “Window of God”, which offers a beautiful panorama of the mountains. national park Kruger.
15. Cradle of Mankind
Cradle of Humankind information center building flowcomm The Cradle of Mankind is an archaeological monument consisting of limestone caves with a total area of almost 500 sq. km. In total, there are about 3 dozen caves, each of which is of great historical value - it is assumed that the first African tribes originated here. So, in the process of excavations in the caves, the remains of human ancestors - Australopithecus, dating back to 2 million years BC, as well as fragments of various tools used by ancient people, were found.
16. Garden Road (Garden Route)
View of the ocean from the Garden Road Garden Route National Park is a popular attraction in South Africa among wildlife lovers. The Garden Road, 200 km long, leads along the most picturesque South African coast and is distinguished by the beauty and diversity of local landscapes: along the way you meet mountain peaks, azure beaches, quiet bays, dense forests, and mountain rivers. The Garden Route offers a wide range of outdoor activities such as fishing, diving and mountain climbing.
17. Cape of Good Hope
Beach and observation deck at the Cape of Good Hope The Cape of Good Hope is the famous southern tip of the African continent, which has its own unique history. To open the way to India across the ocean, since the 15th century, sailors set sail many times, repeatedly suffered wrecks and failures, but continued to search. The cause of the crash was a natural element - the waters of the two oceans, the Indian and the Atlantic, collide precisely in the place of the southernmost tip of the mainland, forming frequent storms. The weather on the cape is unfriendly, strong winds are constantly blowing here, but nevertheless, streams of tourists invariably rush here to see the legendary place with their own eyes.
18. Kango Caves
Tourists in the "Organ Hall" formed by stalactites Kango caves are several grottoes with a total length of about 4 km. Especially striking is the age of the caves, which is about 20 million years. There are many very narrow passages and difficult sections, which are very difficult to overcome. Inside, a real magical country opens up to the eyes of visitors - a complex of halls decorated with natural limestone formations. Together with a successful backlight, it all looks truly fabulous. Some halls amaze with their size: some of them are 30 meters high, 100 meters long, and the largest stalagmite is 9.5 meters long.
19. Franschhoek wine farms
Vineyards and wineries Franschhoek It is worth noting that South Africa ranks 3rd in the world in terms of wine supplies to the world market. And one of the best local wines is produced on the farms of the village of Franschhoek. This place is in great demand among wine connoisseurs - the grapes grow here in sandy soils, and ideal natural conditions allow it to acquire an unsurpassed taste. Every year, up to 8 thousand tons of wonderful wine are supplied from the farms of Franschhoek. There are a number of wineries operating here, which have their own centuries-old traditions of making wines, dating back to the 17th century.
20. Robben Island
View of Robben Island and Cape Town from the mountain 12 km from Cape Town is Robben Island, which is an open-air prison museum. For 400 years, this island was a place of confinement - starting from the 17th century, crazy and leprous patients, political and social outcasts of society were exiled here, and in the 20th century, the famous fighter for the rights of black people, Nelson Mandela, was imprisoned here for 18 years. Today the prison is a national monument and a UNESCO heritage site. A museum now functions on the territory of the former prison, where the conditions of the prisoners' stay are clearly demonstrated.
Sights of South Africa: what else to visit in South Africa
Every attraction in South Africa is worthy of attention, and even after traveling through the main places of interest that form the first impression of the country, there is always something to see in South Africa, in addition to this. To this end, we present an overview based on positive feedback tourists and includes recommendations for other equally interesting sights.
21. Sun City Resort
Fairytale City of the Sun among the rainforests What to visit in South Africa for comfortable rest and entertainment? In the north-eastern part of the republic, in the very center of the dormant volcano, today there is an entertainment tourist complex, which has all the possibilities for a good rest. Its territory of 150 square kilometers is occupied by comfortable hotels, tropical gardens with a rich collection of flora and fauna, an artificial lagoon, as well as all kinds of casinos and restaurants. The recreational opportunities here are incredibly diverse - from gambling and spa treatments to active water skiing, golf and windsurfing.
22. Augrabis waterfall
Streams of the Augrabis waterfall rushing into a rocky gorge Augrabis can rightfully be called one of the wonders of nature: from high cliffs, a strong water stream at a speed of about 1000 cubic meters per second falls into the abyss. Admiring the waterfall with your own eyes is not so easy: this place is surrounded by the sands of the Kalahari Desert. The Orange River, originating among the Dragon Mountains, merging with the Vaal River along the way, first breaks into many streams, the main of which falls into a narrow stone gap and collapses down onto the granite foot. The splendid spectacle is completed by the rainbow sparkling in the water spray as the sun rises.
23. Tugela Waterfall
The falling narrow ribbon of the Tugela Falls from the cliff of the Dragon Mountains Surprisingly, on the hottest and driest African continent, there is something to see in South Africa among the waterfalls - for example, one of the highest Tugela waterfalls in the world, located on the territory of the Natal National Park. This waterfall is cascading, and its waters, falling down, pass through five ledges. There are two ways to get to the waterfall. An extreme path to the summit leads from a nearby parking lot and ends with high suspension stairs in the last section, while another path, about 8 km long, leads through the forest of the national park and a suspension bridge.
24. Boulders Beach
Boulders Beach - famous penguin beach On the territory of the Table Mountain National Park, the amazingly beautiful Boulders Beach is located, which has become home to thousands of penguins that have been living here for about 30 years. I must say, the penguins get along peacefully with numerous tourists who just come here to look at these charming inhabitants of the beach. In addition to penguins, Boulders is famous for its magnificent natural landscapes and sea views. Another notable feature is the huge stone boulders that protect the beach from strong winds and sea waves.
25. Golden Mile Beach
Golden Mile beach - coastline in the city of Durban One of the popular attractions of South Africa near the town of Durban is the Golden Mile beach, which is a wide edge of golden sands near the sea coast, where you can enjoy the mild sun of the subtropics and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. At the northern end of the beach is the Sunny Beach casino for all fans of gambling. It so happened that during the holiday season, various bright events are constantly held on the beach.
