As one of the most developed countries in Africa, South Africa, or the Republic of South Africa, is a very interesting place. Here are the most interesting facts about South Africa you don’t know.
It does not look too much like typical Africa! In the winter, for example, it can even be cold. And some parts of the country look like they were transported all the way from somewhere in old Europe. But at the same time, South Africa is not a safe country. Unfortunately, there are enough problems with the crime situation here, so tourists should be careful.
Facts about South Africa
- This country once had nuclear weapons but voluntarily renounced them, thereby leaving the “nuclear club”.
- Until 1994, South Africa had a discriminatory apartheid regime that directly divided the rights of the local population depending on skin color. In practice, blacks have been severely limited in their rights.
- The South African city of Johannesburg is annually included in various ratings of the most dangerous cities in the world.
- South Africa is notable for the fact that it surrounds the small state of Lesotho on all sides. Lesotho has no direct connection with the outside world at all.
- In most countries, prestigious districts are located closer to the city center, while the poorer districts are located on the outskirts. In the cities of South Africa, however, the opposite is true. Respectable and quite safe suburbs, slum-like and extremely dangerous center – that’s a typical local scene.
- In most of the settlements, you can safely drink tap water.
- There are as many as 11 official languages in South Africa. These are English, as well as the languages of the main local ethnic groups.
- The unemployment rate in South Africa has remained critically high for many decades, reaching almost 20%.
- It was in South Africa that the world’s first successful heart transplant was performed.
- Most of the world’s diamonds are mined in South Africa. Many diamond mines here have long passed over a hundred years, and in depth they exceed 6,000 meters.
- More than 28,000 educational institutions operate on the territory of South Africa.
- It is on the Republic of South Africa’s territory where the largest meteorite trail on Earth is located. This is Vredefort crater.
- Of all African countries, South African drivers can be called the most law-abiding and accurate.
- More than 99% of the South African population has a driver’s license. Public transport is scarce here, and it is not very safe, so a car in this country is not a luxury, but a necessity.
- The most widely spoken language in South Africa is Afrikaans. It comes from the Flemish dialect of the Belgian language.
- About 10% of South Africans are Caucasians. Previously, there were up to 40% of them in the country, but after the fall of the apartheid regime, most of them chose to emigrate.
- Gasoline in South Africa is partly produced from oil, as elsewhere, and partly from coal.
- Despite the turbulent crime situation, the problem of bribery and corruption in South Africa is practically non-existent.
- South African money is called rand. They are named after the Witwatersrand Mountains.
- The highest mountain peak in South Africa, Njesuti, rises 3410 meters above sea level.
- Like tea and very popular in many countries, Rooibos drink is mainly produced in South Africa.
- South Africa is the second-largest fruit exporter in the world.
- On the territory of this country, there are about 18,000 different plant species.
- Most of the local cuisine is similar to the European one—no special exotic.
- Of all the African countries that exist in our time, South Africa is the only one in which in the entire history of its existence, there has not been a single coup d’état.
- South Africa has not one capital but three. One administrative (Pretoria), one judicial (Bloemfontein), and one legislative (Cape Town).
- In terms of consumption of coal for electricity generation, South Africa ranks third among all countries in the world.
- Most of the South African population believes in supernatural forces like spirits and ghosts.
