Presentation on the topic: South African Republic. Economic - geographical characteristics

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South Africa State of South Africa. Area - 1223 thousand square meters. km. The capital is the city of Pretoria. The seat of Parliament is in Cape Town. Administrative-territorial division: 9 provinces. The head of state is the president. The legislature is a bicameral parliament (the Senate and the National Assembly). The monetary unit is the South African rand.

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The original population was the Bushmen and Hottentots, as well as the Bantu. In 1652, the Dutch East India Company founded the Cape Colony on the territory of modern South Africa, in which the Dutch colonists, the Boers, occupied a dominant position. After the capture of the Cape Colony by Great Britain (finally in 1806), most of the Boers left it, establishing the Transvaal Republic and the Orange Free State on the lands seized from the African population. As a result of the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902, the Boer republics were captured by Great Britain. In 1910, the British colony and the former Boer republics were united into the dominion of the Union of South Africa (SA). The regime of racial discrimination and segregation of the non-European population was established in the country. In 1959, the creation of bantustans began. In 1960-90s. the African National Congress (ANC; founded in 1912) was in an illegal position.

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History of South Africa In 1961, the South African government announced the withdrawal of South Africa from the Commonwealth and proclaimed the country the Republic of South Africa (South Africa). In the 1980s protests against apartheid intensified. The government of the ruling Nationalist Party went to abolish the racist legislation; political parties were legalized, including the ANC and the South African Communist Party (founded in 1921). In 1991, parliament abolished segregation by place of residence and land ownership, in 1993 the government took steps to desegregate education. In April 1994, an interim constitution came into force. The first multiracial elections to the National Assembly were held in April 1994; in June, South Africa's membership in the Commonwealth was restored. The leader of the ANC (majority party in parliament) N. Mandela was elected President of South Africa.

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Geographical position The country is located in the south of the African continent. South Africa occupies the southern outskirts of the South African Plateau, which is elevated along the edges (Dragon Mountains in the east, some peaks over 3000 m) and bounded by the steep slopes of the B. Ledge. In the south - the Cape Mountains. South Africa is the only economically developed state on the continent. It borders on developing countries: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland. The Lesotho enclave is located in South Africa. South Africa is washed by the waters of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, located at the crossroads of sea routes from Asia, Australia to Europe and America, which is extremely beneficial.

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Natural conditions In the east - savannah, south of 30 °S. - subtropical forests and hard-leaved evergreen shrubs, on the slopes of the mountains - subtropical and monsoon forests; deserted savannah, steppes, bushy semi-deserts and the Karru desert in the interior. Relief: Kansky and Drakonovy mountains, in the north - plains. The climate is tropical and subtropical. The average temperature in January is +18-27°С, in July +7-10°С. Precipitation is 1000-100 mm. The main rivers are Orange, Limpopo, Vaal. Soils are brown, gray-brown, yellow earth, red earth, reddish-brown.

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Mineral resources are very rich and diverse - reserves of coal, copper ore, gold, diamonds, uranium, manganese, chromium ores, platinum. Agro-climatic resources are favorable for growing cotton, corn, tobacco, grapes, sugar cane. resources of full river flow per capita is small - 0.5-2.5 thousand cubic meters per year. Land resources: most of the land is occupied by pastures, cultivated land is only in the south and east of the country. Forest resources: forests occupy a very small area and heavily cut down, i.e. the country is poorly secured.

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Number - 44 million people (2007); Population density - average 36 people / sq. km (in the south - up to 100) people / sq. km; Type of reproduction - II; birth rate - 30-35, death rate - 5-10, natural increase - 25 people per 1000 inhabitants; A large number of mature (middle) ages, but a large proportion of children; There are more women than men; Ethnic composition - Africans (79%; Zulu , Xhosa, etc.), mulattoes and mestizos (11.2%), immigrants from Europe (14.6%), mainly Afrikaners (Boers) and the British. Urban population 55.4% (1996). The official language is Afrikaans and English. Religions are Protestantism, adherents of local traditional beliefs; The level of urbanization is up to 60%; The level of labor force qualifications is high (among the white population) and low (among the indigenous people).

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South Africa occupies one of the first places in the world in the extraction of gold, platinum, chromites, manganese ore, antimony, and diamonds. Uranium, iron ore, copper, asbestos, etc. are mined. Electricity production is 240 billion kWh (2005). The economic appearance of the country is determined by: the mining industry, whose products are intensively exported to the world market; 4th place in the world in the extraction of non-fuel minerals, first place in the world in gold mining (295 tons per year); ferrous metallurgy, working on its own raw materials; mechanical engineering - production of mining equipment, transport and agricultural engineering; chemical industry.

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In agriculture, marketable products are produced by large farms. The basis of agriculture is animal husbandry; sheep (30 million) and goats, cattle (12 million), pigs about 1.5 million. Main agricultural crops: corn (9.9 million tons), wheat (2.5 million tons), sugar cane (2 million tons of raw sugar per year). Peanuts (100,000 tons), sunflower (600,000 tons), tobacco, sorghum, citrus fruits, etc. are also cultivated.

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Foreign economic relations Since 1994, South Africa has been a member of the OAU (Organization of African Unity). The country actively cooperates not only with the developing countries of Africa, but also has strong contacts with the states of Europe, Asia and America. South Africa supplies the world market with: gold, diamonds , platinum, agricultural and food products, non-ferrous metal ores, ferrous metallurgy products. Foreign trade turnover in 2007 amounted to 148.11 billion US dollars. The composition of exports is gold - 20%, minerals and minerals - 20-25%, food - 5%, chemical products - 3%. Imports are dominated by machinery and equipment, petroleum products, finished industrial products. The main trading partners for exports are Japan, the USA and Great Britain, for imports - Germany, the USA and China.

South Africa is located on the African continent, in its southern part. It borders Mozambique and Swaziland in the northeast, Botswana and Zimbabwe in the north, and Namibia in the northwest. Lesotho is an enclave. The length of the sea borders is 3 thousand km (Atlantic and Indian oceans).

In a country with a complex racial and ethnic composition of the population, the policy of "separate development" of various racial groups (apartheid policy) continued for many years, which actually amounted to the oppression of people with a different skin color by the white minority. This led to the destabilization of the internal political structure of the state. The situation changed after the adoption of the constitution in 1993 and 1996 and the first general elections, which were won by the African National Congress (ANC), which had long fought for the rights of the black majority.

Natural conditions and resources.

Most of the country is occupied by flat plateaus and the Cape Mountains. Low-lying areas run in a narrow strip along the coastal regions.

The country is rich in various minerals. However, there are no oil and gas deposits in the country.

South Africa is located within the tropical and subtropical zones.

Internal waters are insufficient.

More than 1% of the territory is occupied by forests. A significant proportion of industrial forest plantations.

Population - 45.3 million people. (2003). The population growth rate is 1.9%. (in 2015 - 2.5%: 49.3 million people). More than 3/4 of the population of South Africa falls on the multinational composition of the indigenous inhabitants of Africa - the Zulus (38.5%), Sotho (27.5%), Xhosa (11.6%), etc. 13.6% are descendants of immigrants from Europe, predominantly (57.5%) Afrikaners (Boers) and the British, who fiercely fought among themselves during the Anglo-Boer War at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries. Today they own about 80% of the national wealth. The rest are mulattoes and mestizos (which in South Africa are called colored, or clearings) (3.4 million), as well as numerous people from Hindustan (about 1 million people). The remaining ethnic groups are relatively small. Religious composition: 68% of the population are Protestant Christians, 18% - profess traditional cults, more than 2% - Muslims, Buddhists - 1.5%. There are 11 official languages, but the main ones are English and Afrikaans. The country has three capitals. Pretoria is the administrative capital, Cape Town is the legislative capital, Bloemfontein is the judicial and legal capital. Urbanization coefficient - 60%.

The population is distributed very unevenly throughout the country.

Located in the extreme south of the continent, the territory of the Republic of South Africa in the XVII-XVIII centuries. was mastered by the Dutch, then by the British, from 1910 to 1961 it was called the Union of South Africa and was part of the British Commonwealth as a dominion. Modern South Africa is a presidential unitary republic with elements of federalism (9 provinces).

The economy of South Africa has a dual character. Along with features typical of developed countries (a large share of hired labor, a relatively high share in the manufacturing economy, etc.), South Africa is characterized by many features inherent in developing countries: the economic and technical backwardness of agriculture in the African sector (in contrast to highly productive European), the low standard of living of the indigenous people (50% of the population lives below the poverty line), the great influence of foreign capital in the economy, the dependence of the economy on the external market, etc. The economic growth rate is 2.6%.

South Africa, as the most economically developed industrial and agricultural country in Africa, occupies a leading position in the economy of the entire continent. It accounts for 27% of GDP, 40% of industrial and 30% of agricultural products. It occupies the first place in terms of the cost of mined mineral raw materials, electricity generation, and steel production. South Africa ranks first in the foreign world in terms of reserves and production of gold, magnesium, chromium, manganese, vanadium ores, platinum group metals, one of the leading in the extraction of diamonds, uranium ores, asbestos, coal, iron ore, etc.

The commodity sector of agriculture in South Africa (5% of GDP) provides a large amount of export products (almost exclusively farms of the European population) - wool, fruits, sugar; however, in general, the country's food needs are not met through domestic production, and South Africa imports it.

In terms of industrial production, South Africa is among the twenty leading countries in the world.

The mining industry is the basis for the development of the country's economy. It provides about 12% of GDP, at the same time 2/3 of the value of exports. Mineral raw materials are exported to more than 80 countries of the world.

The most important mining area is the Witwatersrand (Rand) in the small province of Gauteng (part of the former historical Transvaal region), where gold (more than 20% of world production) and uranium are mined. Here is the largest city and industrial center of the country Johannesburg. Not far from the official capital of South Africa, Pretoria, diamonds are mined (in the same province). They are also mined in some other areas (Kimberley). De Beers is the largest transnational concern that owns diamond mining in South Africa and controls the world diamond market.

The manufacturing industry in South Africa accounts for about 19% of GDP - more. It employs 16% of the economically active population. The main industries are the chemical, food, engineering and metallurgical industries. In recent decades, the growth rates of these industries have been quite high. Developed light industry, power industry. The country produces almost half of the region's electricity. The most powerful thermal power plants in the world were built in South Africa (85% run on coal). There is a nuclear power plant in Kuberg. Science-intensive industries have also appeared - the military industry, the production of nuclear reactors, electronics - the "white elephants" of the South African industry.

The development of the water resources of the Orange River, designed for several decades, is being carried out. It provides for the solution of energy, irrigation and water supply problems (which is very relevant for a country with a developed industry and a large area of ​​arid and semi-arid regions). Electricity in South Africa is used mainly in industry, while its consumption in the domestic sector is small across the country. Suffice it to say that significantly more than half of the dwellings are not electrified, and this is one of the socio-economic paradoxes of South Africa. Electricity production is highly monopolized - more than 90% of it is in the hands of Eskom.

South Africa has a highly commercial agriculture. The country is self-sufficient in all basic foodstuffs. The country has both irrigated and (mainly) rainfed agriculture. In European farms, the most important grain crop is corn, in African farms it is sorghum. In the southeast (in the provinces of Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal) sugar cane is grown. An important role in agricultural production is played by wheat, potatoes, peanuts, fruits. Among African countries, South Africa ranks first in the production of marine fish.

Livestock products account for about 40% of agricultural production. The industry is characterized by a high number of cattle of meat and dairy breeds, sheep and goats, and pigs.

The transport network of the country is one of the most developed and extensive in the region. All traditional modes of transport are represented. The share (50%) of electrified roads is high. In WEC, the leading place belongs to sea and air transport. Cape Town and Durban have both major seaports and airports.

WES. The country pursues a protectionist policy aimed at protecting its producers. The volume of exports in 2003 amounted to 36.5 billion dollars, and imports - 38.1 billion dollars. The main export items are gold, diamonds, chrome, platinum, machinery and equipment. Imports include machinery and equipment, oil products, chemical products, food. South Africa's main trading partners are the G7 countries. The country trades with China, Iran, Saudi Arabia.

The country attracts foreign capital. The country has great potential for the development of tourism.

Republic of South Africa

Republic of South Africa (South Africa) - a state in the southern part of the African continent, washed by the waters of the Atlantic and Indian oceans. On its territory there are small independent states of Lesotho and Swaziland, in the north it borders on Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.

The name of the country is due to the geographical location of the country.

Capital

Pretoria.

Area

Population

46,000 thousand people

Administrative division

The state is divided into 9 provinces.

Form of government

Republic.

head of state

The president.

supreme legislative body

The bicameral parliament is the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.

Supreme executive body

Government.

Big cities

Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Benoni, Bloemfontein.

Official language

English, Afrikaans.

Religion

80% - Christians, 10% - profess Hinduism, 8% - Islam.

Ethnic composition

77% - Africans, 12% - Europeans and their descendants, 11% - immigrants from Asian countries.

Currency

Rand = 100 cents.

Climate

There are 20 climatic zones on the territory of the state. The region of Natal province is characterized by high humidity, which is inherent in a hot tropical climate. The Cape Town region enjoys a Mediterranean climate with dry, hot summers and mild winters. The rest of the state has a tropical climate. The climate in South Africa is more moderate than in other countries located at the same latitudes, this is due to the sufficient height above sea level and the proximity of ocean currents. Most precipitation falls in the east (1000-2000 mm per year), the least - on the Atlantic coast (less than 100 mm).

Flora

The flora of South Africa is rich - at least 20,000 species of plants grow here. From here, many flowers that are now common in Europe were once taken out - among them are geranium, gladiolus, and narcissus. There are more than 5,000 species of plants found in the Cape Town area that no longer grow in any other country in the world. A silver tree has been preserved, the flower of which is the national symbol of South Africa. The main part of the country is savannas.

Fauna

Among the representatives of the animal world of South Africa are elephant, rhinoceros, zebra, lion, giraffe, cheetah, aardvark, antelope, hyena, golden mole, tarsier, various types of birds.

Rivers and lakes

The largest rivers are the Orange and Limpopo.

Attractions

In Cape Town - the Castle of Good Hope, the South African Museum, which presents the findings of archaeological excavations in the vicinity and samples of rock art of the Bushmen.

Useful information for tourists

Tips in a restaurant are 10-12% of the total order value (including drinks), porter service is from 2 to 5 rand per piece of luggage, a driver guide is 15-20 rand per person per day of work.
No vaccinations are required, unless you are planning a trip to the northeastern regions (areas where the malaria mosquito is present). Along with taking antimalarial drugs, it is recommended to wear long sleeves and use insecticides. Malaria mosquitoes are most active at dusk. Air conditioners and fans also reduce the risk of mosquito bites.

Geographical position

Official name - Republic of South Africa.

State located in southern Africa. In the north-east it borders on Mozambique, in the north- from 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 an 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.

sea ​​water temperature 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 rules

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 rand. 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, which 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 an 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 watch

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 a large number of different types of 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 eat Natal Provincial Museum, Queen Elizabeth Park, as well as 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 dedicated to the first president of the Transvaal, Paulus Krueger, 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 an 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 in 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, as well as 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, as well as 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 in 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 of 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 the drinks. Main export partners:USA, UK, Japan, Germany And Netherlands.

South Africa plays a major role in activities South African Customs Union (SACU), which was created 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 shops.

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. Proteus 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 private 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 necessary 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 nice.

In South Africa missing 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), various species are also grown here. fruits, grapes And sugarcane.

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 received give from 2 to 5 rand per piece of luggage. Guide and driver usually leave 15 - 20 rand per day per person.

National features

There is some differencein the rules of greeting between white and black South Africans. In white culture received 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 of English descent 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 received constantly look the interlocutor in the eye. 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 " uncle" 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 received 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 missing.

First aid is provided is 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.

Political and geographical position. The Republic of South Africa (SAR) is located in the southern part of the African continent, it is washed by the waters of the Atlantic and Indian oceans. The small independent states of Swaziland and Lesotho are located on the territory of South Africa. South Africa is a republic. The head of state is the president. The legislature is a bicameral parliament (the Senate and the National Assembly). Administrative-territorial division of the country: 9 provinces: Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, Northwestern Province, Northern Province, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Goteng. The administrative capital is Pretoria (1000 thousand people), the seat of parliament is Cape Town (2000 thousand people), the center of the judicial system is Bloemfontein. Natural conditions and resources. South Africa has a variety of natural resources, primarily mineral. The surface of the country resembles a huge amphitheater: its high part is formed in the east and south by the Drakensberg and Cape mountains, and in the north the plateau descends into the Kalahari desert. Most of the territory is raised above sea level by 1000 m or more. The country is characterized by a tropical climate in the north, subtropical - in the south. On the plateaus, the average temperatures in the summer months are +18 ° ... +27 ° С, in winter - from +7 ° to +10 ° С. In the south-west, frosts are possible for 5-6 months, and droughts also occur. Most precipitation falls in the east (1000-2000 mm per year), the least - on the Atlantic coast (less than 100 mm per year). The dry season is in winter (May - September). Water resources South Africa are insignificant. Most of the permanent rivers belong to the Indian Ocean basins (Limpopo, Ulifants, Tugela, Great Fish, etc.). The basin of the Atlantic Ocean covers the longest river in the country, rapids and unstable in terms of water flow, on which large hydrotechnical stations have been built. Mineral resources. The bowels of the country are rich in various minerals. Unique deposits of manganese (12.2 billion tons - 82% of the world), platinum (30 thousand tons - 82%), chromium (3 billion tons - 58%), gold (33.7 thousand tons - 53%) , vanadium (13.9 million tons - 50%), as well as fluorite (47 million tons), some varieties of asbestos, the reserves of which South Africa ranks first in the world. In addition, South Africa is the leader in Africa in terms of reserves of coal, uranium, iron ore, titanium, antimony, lead, etc. The existing huge deposits of diamonds, formerly jewelry ones (the world's largest deposits of Kimberley, Finch, Premier, etc.) . The deposits of pyrite, rare and rare-earth metals, gypsum, cement raw materials, clay, etc. are rich. Plant and animal resources. There are 16 thousand plant species in the country. The flora is unique in the southwest (Cape Town area). In some places, a silver tree has been preserved, the flower of which is the national symbol of the country. Forests occupy only 3% of the territory of South Africa. On the southern and eastern coasts, small areas with Cape boxwood, mahogany and ironwood, as well as podocarpus, etc. have been preserved. Savannahs occupy a significant area. European colonization has changed the animal world, many species of animals are almost exterminated and are preserved only in nature reserves, and some of them are driven north (elephants, white rhinos, zebras, antelopes, giraffes, lions, ostriches). However, there are many baboons, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs, and the bird fauna is diverse. Recreational resources. The natural and recreational potential of South Africa is powerful: a favorable climate, beautiful picturesque landscapes, an abundance of national parks and nature reserves. Population. The population of South Africa is 43 million people. Blacks make up about 76% of the population and belong to many tribes of several language groups. Among the whites of South Africa (13%), two groups can be distinguished: Afrikaners who speak Afrikaans and English-speaking whites. Afrikaners make up 60% of the white population of South Africa and are of Dutch, German, French or English origin. English-speaking residents of South Africa are mostly from the UK, Portugal and Greece. Another 9% of the population of South Africa are mestizos, descendants of white colonists and slaves exported from Malaysia and India. In 1860, another group joined the country's population - these are Indians brought from Madras to grow sugar cane, most of them live in the province of Natal (2-2.6%).