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South Africa. Diana Dominguez. Basic Facts. Official Name: Republic of South Africa Total area: 470,462 square miles About 1/8 th the size of the U.S. Population: 47.9 million (2007) About 1/6 th the population of the U.S. 3 capitals: Administrative-Pretoria Legislative-Cape Town
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South Africa Diana Dominguez
Basic Facts • Official Name: Republic of South Africa • Total area: 470,462 square miles • About 1/8th the size of the U.S. • Population: 47.9 million (2007) • About 1/6th the population of the U.S. • 3 capitals: • Administrative-Pretoria • Legislative-Cape Town • Judicial-Bloemfontein
continued… • Time: GMT plus 2 hours • 7 hours ahead • Currency: rand (R) • One US dollar is about 8.8 rand • Life Expectancy: • Women: 52 years • U.S. 81 years • Men: 49 years • U.S. 76 years
continued… • Infant mortality rate: • 58 per 1000 live births (2007) • U.S. 6 per 1000 • Unemployment: • 21.9% (2008) • U.S. 7.2% (2008) • Education is mandatory for children ages 7-15
Culture and Social Issues • 11 official languages • Religions: • 68% Christian • 28.5% Indigenous beliefs and other • 2% Muslim • 1.5% Hindu • Discrimination against women and people with HIV/AIDS • 350,000 HIV/AIDS deaths (2007 est.) • Violence against women and children
More Culture and Tourism • Tourism promoters call South Africa the “adventure capital of the world” • Cricket, soccer, and rugby are popular sports • Hosted 1995 Cricket World Cup • Hosted 1999 Rugby World Cup • Will host 2010 FIFA World Cup (soccer) • Has natural beauty and wildlife (sightseeing) • Known for wine making
Ethnic Groups • The largest ethnic groups in South Africa are: • Zulus (21%) • Xhosas (17%) • Sotho (15%) • Other minorities are: • Tswana, Venda, Ndebele, Swasi, and Pedi • European descendants make up about 13% of the population, including: • French Huguenot refugees, Dutch, and Germans
Climate and Terrain • Climate: • Moderate • Similar to southern California • Terrain: • Plateau (elevated flat area) • Savanna (grassland) • Desert • Mountains • Coastal Plains (flat land, borders water)
Government • President: Kgalema Motlanthe • In September of 2008, won the election with 269 votes, against Joe Seremane with 50 votes • Has a multiparty parliamentary democracy • President and parliament share power • Parliament has 2 houses: • The National Assembly • The National Council of Provinces • Independence: May 31, 1910 (from UK)
History Speakers of the Khoisan language are the oldest surviving inhabitants, who settled around 100 AD Portuguese arrived in 1488 Dutch East India Company established a settlement in 1652 French Huguenot refugees, Dutch, and Germans began settling in South Africa and make up most of today’s Afrikaners Has overcome the apartheid system of racial segregation
Apartheid • Apartheid is an Afrikaans word that means “separateness” in English • Apartheid was a system of segregation used by the National Party, controlled by the white minority • Apartheid finally ended in 1994 when Nelson Mandela was elected in a democratic, multi-racial election • Mandela won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for the peaceful end of apartheid
Location • Southern tip of African continent • Borders • Atlantic Ocean (west) • Namibia (northwest) • Botswana (north) • Zimbabwe (north) • Mozambique (northeast) • Swaziland (northeast) • Indian Ocean (west) • Surrounds Lesotho
Economy • Exports: • Gold • Diamonds • Platinum • Other metals and minerals • Machinery and equipment • Income: • GDP per capita $10,000 (2008 est.) • U.S. GDP per capita $47,000 (2008 est.)
Natural Resources • Gold • Chromium • Antimony • Coal • Iron ore • Manganese • Nickel • Phosphates • Tin • Uranium • Gem diamonds • Platinum • Copper • Vanadium • Salt • Natural gas
Flag • According to South Africa, • “The colors reflect the four major political parties… The broad green stripes flowing into one symbolize the convergence of the past and future.”
National Symbols • National Tree: Real Yellowwood • National Bird: Blue Crane • National Fish: Galjoen • National Flower: King Protea • National Animal: Springbuck
Additional Facts • 20% of the world’s gold is mined in South Africa • 728 Airports • South Africa generates 66% of Africa’s electricity • 40% of the continent’s phones are in South Africa
Bibliography http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2898.htm http://www.thecommonwealth.org/YearbookHomeInternal/139444/ http://www.link2southafrica.com/Quick%20Facts.html http://www.info.gov.za/faq/symbols.htm http://www.daylife.com/photo/0du9fUd4d41EK https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/print/sf.html https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/print/us.html http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/may/10/newsid_2661000/2661503.stm http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic http://www.jyu.fi/viesti/verkkotuotanto/kp/sa/peop_ethnicgrps.shtml http://www1.southafrica.net Rosmarin, Ike, and Dee Rissik. South Africa. Benchmark Books, 2004.
Citations "south-africa-flag." flag. Young Samurai up for South African Prize - Young Samurai.16 Apr. 2009 <https://www.youngsamurai.com/site/YOUN/UploadedResources/south-africa-flag.gif>. "610x." photograph. Oct. 2008. Photo from AP Photo - News, Photos, topics, and quotes.16 Apr. 2009 <http://www.daylife.com/photo/0du9fUd4d41EK>. "nelson-mandela." photograph. Stoked Quote Of The Day |.27 Apr. 2009 <http://www.stoked.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/nelson-mandela.jpg>. "{9211FB36-3F54-4C52-B5FD- A1AE769E7266}_SouthAfrica." map. Commonwealth Secretarait - South Africa.15 Apr. 2009 <http://www.thecommonwealth.org/YearbookHomeInternal/139444/>. "real_yellowwood." photograph. South Africa Holiday: National Animal, Fish & Tree.16 Apr. 2009 <http://www.southafricaholiday.org.uk/history/national_animal.htm>. "f00." photograph. yufera-birding in madrid.16 Apr. 2009 <http://www.iyufera.com/htm/tr-southafrica-01.htm>. "galjoen22." photograph. Nasionale simbole van Suid-Afrika.16 Apr. 2009 <www.mieliestronk.com/sasimbole.html>. "untitled." photograph. Seeds- Protea cynaroides Seeds (King Protea) Spring Blooming for sale in Port Elizabeth.16 Apr. 2009 <http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/9887244/Protea_cynaroides_Seeds_King_Protea_Spring_Blooming.html>. "springbuck." photograph. eMthunzini.16 Apr. 2009 <www.retreat2eden.co.za/>.