South Africa is a mountainous country covering a large area of the southern part of the African continent. Located northeast of the Kalahari, the Veld Plateau cuts sharply into the eastern and southern borders of the country, creating a tectonic fault.
The state is divided into nine provinces, each of which has its own legislative and executive bodies. South Africa is the most developed country in this region. The permanent mining and transport industry is the backbone of the local economy.
South Africa is the world's leading producer of gold and platinum. About 230 tons of gold are mined here annually. The world's largest platinum mines are located near the city of Rustenburg.
Only 14% of South Africans are descendants of Europeans. This European group consists mainly of Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch settlers who began to settle in South Africa in the 17th century. 75% of the inhabitants of South Africa are representatives of the Bantu tribes, including the Zulu, Sotho, Khosa and Tswana, as well as the Bushmen and Hottentots.
Which city is the capital of South Africa? An interesting fact is that the country has three capitals. This is due to the fact that South AfricanThe republic was originally a confederation. And when the Union of South Africa was formed, the authorities were evenly dispersed among the capitals of the states that entered South Africa (the Orange Free State - the capital of Bloemfontein, the Republic of South Africa - the capital of Pretoria, the British possessions with Cape Town as the capital).
Some evidence suggests that the official capital of South Africa, so to speak, the main one, is Pretoria, since the government is located there. But in fact, all three capitals are equivalent. The capital of South Africa, Cape Town, is the seat of the country's parliament, Bloemfontein, the Supreme Court.
The largest and most important city of the state is also Johannesburg. This is the economic heart of South Africa. Other important cities are Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal and Bisho Port in the Eastern Cape.
The capital of South Africa Cape Town is one of the largest economic centers of the country, an important commercial port and a major transport hub (with airports, a seaport and a railway station). The opening and development of the city took place thanks to the important sea route from Europe to Asia. Sailors traveling around Africa stopped to replenish provisions and repair ships in a conveniently located picturesque town on the shores of Table Bay. Sunlight, temperate climate and fertile soil favor the cultivation of grape crops. Cape Town, in particular its suburb of Constantia, produces world famous wine of excellent quality.
Bloemfontein - economic andcultural capital of South Africa. The headquarters of large companies that produce furniture, food, etc. are located here. Despite this, the city is very calm and unfussy. Bloemfontein is popularly known as the "City of Roses", because each of its streets enchants with the fragrance of beautiful flowers throughout the year.
Pretoria, the capital of South Africa, is the center of the country's cultural life. There is a huge number of attractions here: historical monuments, museums, galleries, national reserves with untouched wildlife and real diamond mines.
