South Africa is one of the richest countries in Africa. Primitiveness and modernity are combined here, and instead of one capital - three. The article below discusses in detail the EGP of South Africa, the geography and features of this amazing state.
General information
The state known in the world as the Republic of South Africa, the local population used to call Azania. This name arose during the segregation policy and was used by the indigenous African population as an alternative to the colonial one. In addition to the national name, there are 11 official names of the country, which is associated with a variety of state languages.
EGP South Africa is much more profitable than many other countries on the continent. It is the only African country in the G20. People come here for diamonds and impressions. Each of the nine provinces of South Africa has its own landscape, natural conditions and ethnic composition, which attracts a huge number of tourists. The country has eleven national parks and many resorts.
The presence of three capitals, perhaps, adds to the uniqueness of South Africa. They divide among themselves various statestructures. The government of the country is located in Pretoria, so the city is considered the first and main capital. The judicial branch, represented by the Supreme Court, is located in Bloemfontein. Cape Town is home to the parliament building.
South African EGP in brief
The state is located in southern Africa, washed by the Indian and Atlantic oceans. In the northeast, South Africa's neighbors are Swaziland and Mozambique, in the northwest - Namibia, the country shares its northern border with Botswana and Zimbabwe. Not far from the Dragon Mountains is the enclave of the Kingdom of Lesotho.
In terms of area (1,221,912 sq. km), South Africa ranks 24th in the world. It is about five times the size of the UK. The description of the EGP of South Africa will not be complete without a description of the coastline, the total length of which is 2798 km. The mountainous coast of the country is not strongly dissected. In the eastern part is St. Helena Bay and the Cape of Good Hope. There are also bays and bays of St. Francis, Falsbey, Algoa, Walker, Canteen. Cape Agulhas is the southernmost point of the continent.
Wide access to two oceans plays an important role in the EGP of South Africa. Along the coast of the state there are sea routes from Europe to Southeast Asia and the Far East.
History
South African GWP has not always been the same. Its changes were influenced by various historical events in the state. Although the first settlements appeared here at the beginning of our era, the most significant changes in the EGP of South Africa over time occurred from the 17th to the 20th century.
The European population, represented by the Dutch, Germans and French Huguenots, began to populate the territory of South Africa in the 1650s. Prior to this, Bantu, Khoi-Koin, Bushmen, and others lived on these lands. The arrival of the colonists caused a series of wars with the local population.
Since 1795, Great Britain has become the main colonizer. The British government pushes the Boers (Dutch peasants) to the Orange Republic and the Transvaal province, abolishes slavery. In the 19th century, wars begin between the Boers and the British.
In 1910, the Union of South Africa was created with the British colonies. In 1948, the National Party (Boer) wins the elections and establishes an apartheid regime that divides the population into blacks and whites. Apartheid deprives the black population of almost all rights, even citizenship. In 1961, the country becomes the independent Republic of South Africa and eventually eliminates the apartheid regime.
Population
South Africa has a population of just over 57 million as of 2020. The EGP of South Africa has significantly influenced the ethnic composition of the country's population. Thanks to its favorable location and rich natural resources, the territory of the state attracted Europeans.
Now in South Africa, almost 10% of the population are ethnic white Europeans - Afrikaners and Anglo-Africans, who are descendants of colonial settlers. The Negroid race is represented by the Zulus, Tsonga, Sotho, Tswana, Xhosa. They are about 80%, the remaining 10% are mulattos, Indians and Asians. MajorityIndians are descendants of workers brought to Africa to grow cane.
The population professes different religious beliefs. Most of the inhabitants are Christians. They support Zionist churches, Pentecostals, Dutch Reformers, Catholics, Methodists. Almost 15% are atheists, only 1% are Muslims.
There are 11 official languages in the republic. The most popular among them are English and Afrikaans. Literacy among men is 87%, among women - 85.5%. In the world, the country ranks 143rd in terms of education.
Natural conditions and resources
The Republic of South Africa presents all kinds of landscapes and different climatic zones: from subtropics to deserts. The Dragon Mountains, located in the eastern part, smoothly turn into a plateau. Monsoon and subtropical forests grow here. To the south are the Cape Mountains. The Namibia Desert is located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, and part of the Kalahari Desert stretches along the northern bank of the Orange River.
The country has significant reserves of mineral resources. Gold, zirconium, chromites, diamonds are mined here. South Africa has reserves of iron, platinum and uranium ores, phosphorites, and coal. The country has deposits of zinc, tin, copper, as well as rare metals such as titanium, antimony and vanadium.
Economy
Features of the EGP of South Africa have become the most important factor for the development of the country's economy. 80% metallurgicalproducts are produced on the continent, 60% are in the mining industry. South Africa is the most developed country on the mainland, despite this, the unemployment rate is 23%.
Most of the population is employed in the service sector. About 25% of the population works in the industrial sector, 10% is agriculture. The financial sector, telecommunications, and the electric power industry are well developed in South Africa. The country has huge reserves of natural resources, the best developed coal mining and export.
Among the main branches of agriculture is animal husbandry (breeding ostriches, goats, sheep, birds, cattle), winemaking, forestry, fishing (hake, sea bass, anchovies, moquel, mackerel, cod, etc.), crop production. The republic exports more than 140 kinds of fruits and vegetables.
The main trading partners are China, USA, Germany, UK, Netherlands, India and Switzerland. African economic partners include Mozambique, Nigeria, Zimbabwe.
The country has a well-developed transport system, a favorable tax policy, and a developed banking and insurance business.
Interesting facts
- The world's first successful heart transplant was performed in Cape Town by surgeon Christian Barnard in 1967.
- The largest depression on Earth is on the Vaal River in South Africa. It was formed as a result of the fall of a giant meteorite.
- The 621g Cullinan Diamond was found in 1905 in a South African mine. Heis the largest gemstone on the planet.
- This is the only non-Third World country in Africa.
- It was here that gasoline was first made from coal.
- The country has about 18,000 native plants and 900 bird species.
- South Africa is the first country to voluntarily give up its existing nuclear weapons.
- The largest number of fossils is in the Karoo region of South Africa.
Conclusion
The main features of the EGP of South Africa are the compactness of the territory, wide access to the oceans, location next to the sea route connecting Europe with Asia and the Far East. Most of the residents are employed in the service sector. Due to the large reserves of natural resources in South Africa, the extractive industry is well developed. The population of the country is only 5% of the total population of Africa, however, the country is the most developed on the continent. Due to its economic position, South Africa has a fairly strong position in the world.
