South Africa is an independent country, located in the extreme south of the African continent and bathed by the Atlantic and Indian oceans. The territory is located in the east, south of the parallel of the equator (southern hemisphere).
The nation is home to approximately 50 million people, spread over an area of 1,221,037 km2. The population is made up of blacks, who represent 70% of the population; whites of Dutch and English descent, who account for 12%, Euro-Africans, represent 13%; Indians, 3%; and other ethnicities, 2%.
The territory shelters a large amount of ores in its subsoil, and stands out in the production of mineral coal, manganese, iron, copper, platinum, diamond, gold and uranium, riches that are fundamental for development industrial.
Another relevant resource potential is related to the production of electricity, driven by the Orange River. The country is not independent in terms of oil production.
The South African economy is linked to the provision of services, industry, in addition to primary sectors, such as mineral extraction and agricultural production. Cape Town and Johannesburg are the main urban centers and consequently promote the concentration of industries, housing companies operating in the vehicle and locomotive production sectors, including metallurgy and petrochemicals.
The industrial sector is quite diversified, however, this does not prevent problems such as social inequality, high unemployment, marginalization, among others.
Another very important source of income is the tourist activity developed in the Savannah, known as safari, in addition to urban tourism, especially in Cape Town.
General aspects of South Africa
Country name: Republic of South Africa.
Official languages: English, Zulu, Xhosa, Swazi, Ndebele, Southern SeSotho, Northern SeSotho, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda and Afrikaans.
Capitals: Pretoria / Tshwane (administrative city)
Cape Town (Legislative)
Bloemfontein / Mangaung (Judiciary).
HDI (Human Development Index): 0.597 – medium.
By Eduardo de Freitas
Graduated in Geography
Brazil School Team
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