South Africa

After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British encroachments but were defeated in the Boer War (1899-1902). The resulting Union of South Africa operated under a policy of apartheid - the separate development of the races. The 1990s brought an end to apartheid politically and ushered in black majority rule.

Languages & Population

Approximate Population: 43,997,828

Nationality (Noun): South African(s)

Nationality (Adjective): South African

Official Language(s): Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Xhosa, Zulu

Major Languages Spoken: Afrikaans, English, Xhosa, Zulu, Swati, Sesotho, Ndebele

Country Facts

Country Name (long form): Republic of South Africa

Country Name (short form): South Africa

Country Name (local long form): Union of South Africa

Country Name (local short form): RSA

Name of Capital: Pretoria

UTC Time Difference (from capital): UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Countries Near by, and Bordering South Africa: Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana

Land Area: 1219912 sq km

Comparative Area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Total Land Boundry: 4,862 km

Coastline: 2,798 km

National Holiday: Freedom Day, 27 April (1994)

International Phone Code: 27

Currency Code: rand (ZAR)

Internet Country Code: .za

US Embassy Location: 877 Pretorius Street, Pretoria

US Embassy Mailing Address: P. O. Box 9536, Pretoria 0001