South Africa lies on the southernmost tip of Africa and is marked by several distinct ecosystems.Its area is approximately 471,008 square miles and it shares boundaries with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho.The capitals are Cape Town, Pretoria and Bloemfontein.

South Africa has spectacular views, stunning wildlife and biodiversity, in contrast with its bustling modern cities.The Atlantic and Indian oceans meet at Cape Point in the continent’s southwestern corner. 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. Average annual rainfall is 464mm. Gale-force winds are frequent on the coasts. Regions are relatively warm in winter. There is a striking contrast between temperature on the country’s east and west coasts.

The official currency is the South Africa Rand (ZAR).

South Africa’s economy was originally built on natural resources such as agriculture (maize sugar cane, fruits vegetables) & mining - especially gold and diamonds.Today services and manufacturing have the leading role.There is still a lack of natural resources like water.

Read about Cape Town's water crisis HERE.

The economy of South Africa is the largest in Africa, overtaking Nigeria. However, there is very high unemployment in South Africa, with their unemployment rate at 27.7 % in the second quarter of 2017, unchanged from the previous period's 13-year high. Rural people subsist on farming.

In 2016 the top five challenges to doing business in the country were inefficient government bureaucracy, restrictive labour regulations, a shortage of educated workers, political instability, and corruption, whilst the country's strong banking sector was rated as a strongly positive feature of the economy. The nation is the only African member of the G-20 group.

Read about South Africa`s history  HERE