General Information about South Africa
Geography
Situated at the southern tip of Africa and edged on 3 sides by the Indian and Atlantic oceans, South Africa is a medium-sized country with a total land area of slightly more than 1.2-million square kilometres. Measuring some 1 600km from north to south, it is roughly the same from east to west. South Africa is bordered in the north by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Contained within its borders are two independent countries, Lesotho and Swaziland. Pretoria is the capital and the largest and most important city is Johannesburg, the economic heartland of the country.
History
The San and Khoekhoe peoples were the first residents of South Africa. It was the Dutch who set up a fort at the Cape in 1652. The French Huguenot families arrived in 1688 settling around Franschhoek where they planted vineyards. The British took the Cape over from the Dutch in 1795. Seven years later, the colony was returned to the Dutch government, only to come under British rule again in 1806. The discovery of diamonds in 1867 and gold nine years later brought an influx of “outlanders” into the republics. South Africa became a charter member of the United Nations in 1945. Apartheid—racial separation—dominated domestic politics. South Africa declared itself a republic in 1961 and the white supremacist National Party would continue its rule for the next three decades. Apartheid was abolished in 1989 and its leader, Nelson Mandela was released after 27 years of imprisonment. The 1994 election, the country's first multiracial one, with a massive victory for Mandela, resulted in great transformation for South Africa. Through the years, South Africa overcame many obstacles to unite its people and today, the economy is growing and tourism is booming.
Currency
The South African unit of currency is the Rand, indicated by the letter R before the amount. Bank notes, on which the “Big 5” wildlife animals are represented, are issued in R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200 denominations. Travellers’ cheques are can be changed at banks, hotels, and some shops.
Language
Nine of the country's 11 official languages are African, reflecting a variety of ethnic groupings which nonetheless have a great deal in common in terms of background, culture and descent. Although English is the mother tongue of only 8, 2% of the population, it is the language most widely understood, and the second language of the majority of South Africans.
Time difference
South Africa Standard Time (there is only one time zone) is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) all year round, 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
Climate
South Africa is famous for its sunshine. It's a relatively dry country, with an average annual rainfall of about 464mm (compared to a world average of about 860mm). While the Western Cape gets most of its rainfall in winter, the rest of the country is generally a summer-rainfall region.
A subtropical location, moderated by ocean on three sides of the country and the altitude of the interior plateau, account for the warm temperate conditions so typical of South Africa - and so popular with its foreign visitors. Seasons are directly opposite to those of the Northern Hemisphere.
Economy
South Africa is the most economically successful country in the south of the African continent. It is a world leader in mining. The country is famous for its abundance of mineral resources, accounting for a significant proportion of world production and reserves. The automotive industry is a sector that accounts for about 10% of South Africa's manufacturing exports. South Africa's chemicals industry, including fuel, plastics and pharmaceuticals, is the largest of its kind in Africa, and is a key driver of economic growth. South Africa is a fast growing leisure and business destination because of its scenic beauty, sunny climate and cultural diversity.
Population
South Africa is a nation of over 47-million people of diverse origins, cultures, languages and beliefs.
Africans are in the majority at just over 38-million, making up 79.6% of the total population. The white population is estimated at 4.3-million (9.1%)the coloured population at 4.2-million (8.9%) and the Indian/Asian population at just short of 1.2-million (2.5%).
Best time to visit
That depends on what you want to do. The flowers are obviously best in August and September. The best time for game viewing is September and October. The southern right whales hang around off the coasts from about mid-June to the end of October.
Clothing
For summer months, lightweight (cottons and linens), and a light jersey for cooler evenings are recommended. Umbrellas and raincoats are essential in the summer and warm clothing is needed for winter.
Health recommendations
No vaccination is required (except for the travelers coming from a yellow fever area). However, travelers should check with their doctor. Malaria prophylaxis (on safari at Kruger Park) and hepatitis are recommended.
Passport and Visa
A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit South Africa. The passport must be valid for a period of at least 30 days beyond the date of your expected departure from South Africa. Canadians arriving in South Africa with a full passport (i.e. no space for the necessary South African Temporary Resident Permit or visa, at least two pages), will be denied entry to South Africa. Please ensure you have sufficient visa pages for travel to neighbouring countries and back to South Africa for the whole duration of your trip. The new Immigration Act does not make provision for this scenario and Canadians will be denied entry. Canadians also require a return ticket.
Attractions
Some of the best places to visit in South Africa include the stunning coastal towns such as Cape Town, Hermanus, Knysna, Durban to name a few. Enjoy mountain air in the Drakensberg or in Hogsback. Delight in world class wines in the Cape Winelands and no trip to South Africa would be complete without a safari in Kruger Park or in one of the many other wildlife parks. Ride the luxurious Rovos Rail with its vintage wood-paneled carriages while dining on 5 course dinners.