MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE, YOUTH AND SPORTS OF UKRAINE

Odessa national academy food technologies

Individual scientific work

By discipline

"International Economic Relations"

"South African Republic"

Performed:

4th year student, MiM-471

Suprunyuk Anna

Supervisor:

Dyukova I.V.

Odessa 2011

1. Brief historical reference

2. Ethnic composition of the population

3. Religious characteristics of Australia

4. National characteristics (mentality)

5. Structure of the Australian economy

6. Specifics of the Australian economy

7. Economic relations with other countries

8. Level state analysis economic development

9. Welfare of the population

List of used literature

Brief historical background

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, a state in southern Africa. It is washed by the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Area 1.2 million km2. The population as of 2011 was 49,004,031 people, including Africans (76%; Zulu, Xhosa, etc.), mestizos (9%), people from Europe (about 13%), mainly Afrikaners (Boers) and the British.
In South Africa, 11 languages ​​of various nationalities and ethnic groups inhabiting the country have been approved as state languages: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Xhosa, Zulu, Pedi, Sutho, Tswana, Swazi, Venda, Tsonga. Almost 80% of the population of South Africa are adherents of the Christian faith. Other numerous religious groups are Hinduism, Islam and Judaism. A small part of the population does not give preference to any of the main religions, but considers themselves adherents of traditional beliefs or does not have any religious preferences at all.

Member of the Commonwealth. The head of state is the president. The legislative body is parliament (National Assembly). The capital of South Africa is Pretoria, Cape Town (the official capital); Bloemfontein (judicial capital) Administrative division: 9 provinces. The monetary unit is the rand.

The Republic of South Africa traces its history back to the first millennium AD. At this time, the territory where South Africa is now located was inhabited by Hottengoth tribes who were engaged in animal husbandry. In the middle of the 11th century they were driven out by the Bantu tribes. After this, the South African lands were inhabited by Bantu tribes for a long time. In the 17th century, Europeans came to South Africa - immigrants from the Netherlands and France, who gradually subjugated the lands of South Africa. In 1652, a settlement was founded at the Cape of Good Hope. In 1797, England began to own the Cape Colony - that was the name of the land where South Africa is now located. In the second half of the 19th century, rich deposits were discovered in the Cape Colony, which is why emigrants began to flock there. The Anglo-Boer War took place in 1880-1881. Boers, that is local population, won this war. Another Anglo-Boer War took place in 1899-1902. In 1910, the Union of South Africa was formed, which was subordinated to England. In 1948, all government policies were aimed at creating conditions for whites. Thus, the black population was infringed upon by the government in its rights. The new policy of the authorities began to be called apartheid, and was canceled only at the end of the 20th century.

Ethnic composition of the population

The ethnic composition of the South African population is very complex. The most ancient inhabitants of the country are the Bushmen, Hottentots and numerous peoples language family Bantu. Rock paintings by Bushmen dating back thousands of years have been found on the rocks and mountain caves of the South Coast. Archaeological excavations have discovered a number of Bantu settlements in the central regions of the country dating back to the 1st millennium AD.

The population of South Africa exceeds 49 million people (25th place in the world). South Africa is characterized by a very large diversity among the people inhabiting the country, both by race and nationality.

The majority of the population, about 80%, are black, belonging to various ethnic groups (Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Tswana, Sotho and others). This group also includes immigrants from other African countries (particularly Zimbabwe and Nigeria).

The white population makes up about 10% and is mainly made up of descendants of the Dutch, French, British and German settlers who began settling South Africa from the late 17th century; immigrants from Europe who arrived in South Africa in the twentieth century and Portuguese who moved to South Africa from the former Portuguese colonies in South Africa (Angola and Mozambique)

English is spoken by about 8.6% of the population. However, this language is widely used in official and business contacts.

Africans are the most large group(about 77% of the total population). The African population consists of Bantu, Bushmen and Hottentot peoples. As the Bantu moved south, they pushed back the Bushmen and Hottentots, who, having settled in the Transvaal and Orange Province, were partially assimilated among the Bantu. There are now very few Bushmen left, most of them living in the barren, malarial areas of the northwestern Kalahari.

The Bechuanas, numbering more than 0.5 million people, occupy the northeastern regions of the Cape Province and the Transvaal. In the areas of Natal and Transvaal adjacent to Mozambique, the Bavenda live, and in the north-western regions of the Cape Province, near the border with Namibia, Bantus can be found speaking the Herero language.

Significant changes have occurred in the social life of Africans: large patriarchal families have been replaced by small ones; the number of polygamous families has sharply decreased; Religious views have changed.

Instead of traditional tribal cults, European colonists imposed Christianity on the Bantu. In Bantustans, the long-established Bantu division of labor between men and women has been violated. If earlier men were engaged in cattle breeding, and women – in agriculture, now almost all work in bantustans is performed by women and old people. Young men are forced to spend most of their time working outside the Bantustans. Africans are the main labor force in the South African economy: 58.6% of employees in non-agricultural sectors and 84.9% in agriculture.

Whites (people of European descent) are the second largest population group in the country (11%). Its backbone consists of Afrikaners, or Boers (about 60% of the European population), and the British (38%). People from other European countries and the Middle East also live in South Africa. The most numerous of them are Germans and Jews (1% each). The Jewish community in South Africa is one of the richest in the world. The spiritual kinship of the rulers of South Africa and Israel, the identity of the tasks assigned to them by world imperialism, explain the increasingly strengthening alliance between Pretoria and Tel Aviv.

Afrikaners, descendants of the first Dutch colonists, have long lost ties with the Netherlands and consider South Africa their homeland.

People of color (9%) are a highly heterogeneous population group. Three quarters of this group are actually people of color, whose racial identity is not possible to determine. These are descendants of mixed marriages of Europeans with representatives of the indigenous population of South Africa - mestizos. Along with them, this group includes the Cape Malays and others. Official South African statistics also wrongfully include the Bushmen and Hottentots here.

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Africa Tur → Reference materials → EAST AND SOUTH AFRICA → Population of South Africa

Population of South Africa

Difficult to find on globe a country where the national issue would become as acute and topical as in South Africa. People with non-white skin color - the absolute majority of the country's population - are subjected to strong national oppression here. The non-European population, which makes up the bulk of South Africa's labor force, is brutally exploited by local and foreign monopolies.

In South Africa you can meet representatives of a wide variety of races and nationalities, hear English, French, German speech, the melodious dialect of the Bantu peoples, and the “clicking” sounds of the languages ​​of the Bushmen and Hottentots. But more often you can hear Afrikaans, which developed on the basis of ancient Dutch dialects and is very different from the modern Dutch language. Such ethnic and linguistic diversity is the result of the complex history of the formation of the country's population.

South Africa is an exception among other African countries in terms of high share persons of European origin - about 5% of the total population of the country. Another characteristic feature is the relatively high proportion of people from Asian countries- approximately 3% of the population. This part of it is subject to brutal exploitation, just like the local African population. National and class interests. African and other racial groups of the non-white population basically coincide, which objectively creates a common platform for their joint struggle.

Discovery in the second half of the 19th century. The richest deposits of gold and diamonds in the interior regions contributed to their rapid settlement and development. In less than a quarter of a century, the white population of southern Africa has grown 20-fold. Immigration still exists today. It has decreased noticeably in recent years, although the government encourages skilled labor from Europe to enter the country.

The number of immigrants arriving annually does not exceed 1% of the total

the size of the white population. Previously, the majority were immigrants from Great Britain, but now their number has noticeably decreased, but the number of immigrants from Germany and the Netherlands has increased (many former Nazis also found refuge in South Africa).

Now the population of South Africa is growing mainly due to natural growth, and its rate, especially among the non-European population, is significant (2.5-3% per year). The entire population of South Africa is officially divided into 4 groups: Africans* (according to 1979 estimates, 21.1 million), whites (4.7 million), mestizo, or, according to the official terminology adopted in South Africa, “colored” ( 2.6 million) and people of Asian origin (0.8 million).

Fearing the unification of national liberation forces in the country, the government artificially seeks to divide individual ethnic groups, preserve ancestral remnants among Africans, and incite national enmity between different peoples.

Bantu are the largest ethnic group in South Africa. It accounts for over 70% of the total population. The Bantu speak several languages, the most important of which are Zulu, Xhosa, Sutho, Tswana and Swazi. The Zulu, Xhosa and Swazi languages ​​are closely related and are usually grouped into a group of languages ​​called Nguni.

Significant changes took place in Bantu social life. Large patriarchal families gave way to small ones; the number of polygamous families has sharply decreased; Religious views have changed. Instead of traditional tribal cults, European colonists imposed Christianity on the Bantu. In Bantustans, the long-established Bantu division of labor between men and women has also been violated. Previously, men were engaged in cattle breeding, and women – in agriculture, but now almost all the work in Bantustans is performed by women and old people. Young men are forced to spend most of their time working outside the Bantustans.

Until now, the main clothing in Bantustans remains loincloths and “karossa” capes. Only the traditional karossams made from the skins of wild animals were replaced by karossams made from blankets.

Europeans are the second largest ethnic group. Its backbone consists of Afrikaners, or Boers (about 60% of the European population), and the British (38%). People from other European countries and the Middle East also live in South Africa. The most numerous of them are Germans and Jews (1% each). Jewish community in

South Africa is one of the richest in the world. The spiritual kinship of the rulers of South Africa and Israel, the identity of the tasks assigned to them by world imperialism, explain the increasingly strengthening alliance between Pretoria and Tel Aviv.

Afrikaners have long lost ties with the Netherlands and consider South Africa their homeland. In contrast, the British maintain close ties with Great Britain. First of all, this is expressed in the commonality of the language. At the same time, language is one of significant differences between Afrikaners and the British. Both Afrikaans and English are recognized official languages in South Africa. Even in schools, teaching is often conducted in parallel in two languages. Afrikaners and the British also differ in religion. Afrikaners belong to the Dutch Reformed Church, and the British belong to the Anglican, Lutheran, etc.

The historical distinction between the spheres of activity between these ethnic groups is now disappearing. Previously, the Boers were predominantly farmers and pastoralists and lived on isolated farms. The British mainly settled in cities, where they were engaged in trade and industry. Over the past quarter century, the process of Afrikaners taking over key positions in various industries industry. Afrikaners predominate in the police, army and civil servants.

The "colored" group has a very diverse ethnic composition. It includes the Cape Coloureds, Hottentots, Bushmen, Malays, Zanzibaris and the entire group constitutes the Cape Coloureds, whose racial identity is uncertain. Singling them into a special group is artificial and has no linguistic or cultural basis. "Cape Coloreds" appeared at the dawn of European colonization as a result of intermarriage between Europeans and the indigenous people of southern Africa. In 1949, nationalists passed a law banning marriages between members of different racial groups. But even now about V3 of South African whites have an admixture of African blood.

An ethnic group of people of Asian origin began to form only in the 60s of the 19th century, when contracted agricultural workers from India began to be imported to southern Africa to expand sugar cane plantations in Natal and due to a lack of skilled labor. In less than half a century, from 1870 to 1911, the number of imported Indians reached 100 thousand.

Various ethnic groups in South Africa have their own territorial centers. Thus, the most “English” is the province of Natal, the “Afrikaner” are Transvaal and Orange, the largest number of mestizos live in the Cape Province.

The economically active population makes up approximately 40% of the total population. Around Uz he works in agriculture, followed by the service sector, manufacturing and mining. The non-white population is employed mainly in those sectors of the economy where labor is most difficult and exhausting. At the same time, among non-Europeans there is a large number of actually unemployed. Persons in public service are mainly Europeans. South Africa has the largest police force in Africa and regular army, consisting mostly of whites.

South Africa is experiencing an acute shortage of skilled labor, which is explained primarily by the apartheid policy: the “color barrier” deprives non-whites of the opportunity to obtain high qualifications and perform more complex and highly paid jobs.

The working class accounts for 44 of the country's population. Urban workers - Africans and other non-whites - are the most revolutionary part of the South African working class.

Over 75% of whites live in cities. Almost half of them are concentrated in the south of the Transvaal - in the Witwatersrand industrial region. Most of rural population of European origin lives in the south and southwest of the Cape Province, i.e. in an area of ​​intensive Agriculture. Some areas of the Namib and Kalahari deserts are almost deserted, and in the vast arid spaces of the internal plateau, settlements are located mainly along river valleys and in areas of artificial irrigation.

Sharp contrasts are presented by the deserted Cape Mountains and the densely populated fertile valleys adjacent to them in the west with orchards and vineyards, the swampy river valley. Limpopo and the mining centers of the Bushveld, Drakensberg and Natal foothill valleys.

The process of industrialization led to a rapid increase in the urban population in the post-war years. Mining centers are growing, both old ones - the cities of the Witwatersrand, and new ones: Phala Borwa, Saishen, Prisca, etc. Their rapid growth is largely due to the immigration of the African and “colored” population, and not only the male population of the Bantustans comes here in search of work , but also residents of other countries in Southern and Eastern Africa (Lesotho, Botswana, Malawi, etc.). A significant number of Africans living in cities and industrial centers are temporary residents who, when unable to work or at the end of their contract, return to the bantustans or to the country from which they came. Cities - centers of manufacturing industry - are also growing as a result of the arrival of immigrants from European countries.

In South Africa they predominate small towns with a population of 2 to 10 thousand people. According to existing legislation, all cities here are considered settlements, having in one form or another local city government. These are small towns - centers of agricultural areas (for example, Fran Schuk or Swellendam), and numerous mining centers in South Africa (Tabazim bi, Postmasburg, Saichen, etc.), and cities - centers of the manufacturing industry, often with pronounced specialization ( "metallurgical" fer riniching - Vanderbijlpark or "chemical" - Sasolburg and Moddervon Tein).

The ports that stand out are Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and East London. These are modern large multifunctional cities. They owe their appearance and growth to the beneficial geographical location. For a long time, a significant part of the immigrants arriving in Africa settled in them; various industrial enterprises, equipped with imported equipment and often working on imported raw materials.

There are many cities in the country - administrative centers, among which Pretoria and Cape Town occupy a special position.

The country's largest city, its financial and commercial capital, is Johannesburg, whose population has exceeded 1.5 million people and continues to grow steadily: in the last 30 years alone it has more than doubled. Johannesburg is not only the most important center, but also the link between the leading industrial region of South Africa - the Witwatersrand complex and its surroundings. This main economic core, occupying approximately 1% of the country's territory, concentrates up to 2/5 of its population. Of the 20 South African cities with a population exceeding 50 thousand people, 10 are part of the Witwatersrand metropolitan area.

The total population of the English possessions is about 15 million, the southern part of Portuguese Mozambique is about 2.5 million. These data are approximate. General censuses that more or less accurately determine the population are carried out in the Union of South Africa (the last census was carried out on 7 May 1946) and in Southern Rhodesia (last census - 1 August 1948). Statistics for other territories, to a certain extent, fully take into account only the adult male population: this is necessary for taxation and identification of labor reserves. The number of the remaining population is colonial officials take into account very approximately, while allowing great arbitrariness.

Professor Schapera of the University of Cape Town speaks of the population censuses for Bechuanaland as follows: 4 / “None of these censuses can be considered accurate, ... earlier censuses cannot be trusted at all.” To support this assessment, he gives two striking examples. One of the official reports on the population of the Ghanzi region indicated that 7 thousand men live there, 3 thousand. women, and only 10 thousand people. The male to female ratio (7:3) was clearly absurd, yet this data was included in the report. Two years later, another colonial official assigned to this area reported that “approximately 2 thousand people” lived in the Ghanzi region. Another example: a report for 1936 indicated that 42,158 people lived in the Tawana Reserve; in 1939-1940 a commission for the study of sleeping sickness visited all the villages of this reserve, counted the population of each village and came to the conclusion that the population of the reserve does not exceed 35 thousand 1

The accounting of the ethnic composition of the population is even worse. The accounting is based on the racial principle - based on skin color: whites - Europeans, blacks - natives, “colored” - mulattoes, etc. All speakers of Bantu languages ​​are united into one general group “natives”, and in some cases they are included in it and mulattoes, Hottentots and Bushmen; in others, mulattoes, Hottentots and Bushmen are counted separately under the “colored” group. Only Europeans are accurately counted.

The following table, compiled from the latest censuses and estimates of the last five years, gives a rough picture of the ethnic composition of the English possessions (thousands of people):

English possessions				Indians and other Asians
Union of South Africa (1946 census)...................
South West Africa.........
Bechuanaland........................
Basutoland........................
Swaziland........................
Southern Rhodesia (as of 1950)

In Mozambique, the Bantu population in 1940 was estimated at 5 million, Europeans and other non-Bantus in 1945 numbered 60 thousand, including 15 thousand mulattoes and 10 thousand Indians; It is not possible to separately determine the ethnic composition of the population of southern Mozambique.

Bantu

The majority of the population of South Africa (about 78%) is therefore Bantu.

Bantu speak several languages. The most important of them:

	Number of speakers 8, thousand people.		Number of speakers 2, thousand people.
		Kuanyama

The Xhosa are a well-established and most numerous South African Bantu people. All Xhosa live in South Africa, mainly (85.3%) in the eastern part of the Cape Province, in the Transkei and Ciskei reserves (“on the other” and “this” side of the Kei River). The Zulus are also a well-established people. Most of them live in the province of Natal (76% of the total population of the province). Outside of South Africa, Zulus live in Swaziland and Basutoland. In addition to the Zulus themselves, the Zulu language is spoken by the Matabele in Southern Rhodesia and the Ndebele in the northwestern part of the Transvaal. Most of the Swazis (223 thousand) live in the Transvaal; Only 160 thousand Swazis live in the territory of the Swaziland protectorate. The Xhosa, Zulu and Swazi languages ​​are related (they are combined into one group under the general name Nguni). The total number of peoples speaking them is more than 5 million. They inhabit, with the exception of the Matabele and Ndebele, one continuous territory and have all the prerequisites for merging into one nation. Basotho live mainly in South Africa, in the Transvaal and Orange Free State provinces. About half a million Basotho live in the Basutoland Protectorate. Among the Basotho of the Transvaal, the northern Basotho, or Pedi, are distinguished by their language. More than half (68.9%) of the Bechuanas also live in South Africa, mainly in the Transvaal and Cape Province. Basotho, Bechuana and Pedi together make up more than 3 million people, they mostly inhabit a continuous territory and form a single ethnic massif. The Mashona live mainly in Southern Rhodesia, making up, together with the Matabele, the main population of the colony. About 20% of the Mashona live in Mozambique. The Tsonga inhabit Mozambique and the surrounding areas of the Transvaal and Natal. The Ndonga, Kuanyama and Herero languages ​​are spoken by the Bantus of SWA and adjacent areas of Angola.

A review of Bantu settlement shows a picture typical for all of Africa: colonial boundaries do not correspond to ethnic ones, tearing peoples apart. This circumstance, along with the general colonial regime, greatly impedes the merging of the South African Bantu tribes and nationalities into national communities.

The table shows the composition of the Bantu population of South African provinces and protectorates by main ethnic groups (as a percentage of the total) 1 .

	Provinces and protectorates
				Oranshevoye Free			Swaziland
Scythe...................
Zulu.................
Basotho............
Pedi...................
Ndebele...............
Bechuanas...............
Swazi.........
Tsonga (shangaan). .
Bavenda...............
Others..............

On the one hand, compact ethnic tracts of Xhosa, Zulus, Basotho and Bechuana stand out. On the other hand, significant interpenetration and mixing of ethnic groups has already occurred; The territorial boundaries of ethnic groups are erased and crossed. Recently, due to the growth of the population of cities and mining centers, this process is proceeding quite quickly. Now it is still difficult to judge the contours of the emerging nations; they will be finally determined only with the victory of the anti-imperialist forces and the liberation of the Bantu from colonial enslavement.

South Africa (South African Republic) is the southernmost and richest country in Africa. The capital of South Africa (this is what it is usually called in everyday life) is the city of Pretoria. It's a little unusual that South African cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg are much larger.

South Africa is a very contrasting state. Its population is one of the most diverse in the world. Representatives of a large number of nationalities live here; the number of white people and Asians is the largest in the entire African continent. South Africa has also acquired the unofficial name “Rainbow Country” due to its national diversity.

The subsoil of the Republic of South Africa is very rich in minerals and diamonds against the backdrop of widespread poverty throughout the continent. While the tribes central Africa continue centuries-old wars, South Africa has become one of the most peaceful countries, having voluntarily abandoned its nuclear weapons. This country remembers its bloody history - the struggle of oppressed nationalities against apartheid.

History of the South African Republic

The Dutch were the first to colonize these lands. They founded the Cape Colony. But in 1806 this land was reclaimed by Great Britain. Dutch settlers had to move deeper into the continent.

For about 100 years, Great Britain pursued a policy similar to genocide - the black population was oppressed and sometimes simply exterminated. After independence, the situation did not change - representatives of the white race, mainly descendants of Dutch, French and German settlers, came to power. Although they were a national minority, nevertheless, power was concentrated in their hands and they began to pursue the policy of apartheid in South Africa.

For example, the Bantu people could only live in a territory specially allocated for them, and to leave these reservations it was necessary to obtain special permission. The social obligations of the state were completely different for blacks and non-blacks. So in South Africa there was separate healthcare and education for blacks. The apartheid government argued that the level social services The black population was on the same level as the whites, but this was completely contrary to the true state of affairs. Often blacks were even deprived of political rights. In 1974, a large part of the black population was stripped of their citizenship. It is interesting that all the legislative acts aimed at oppressing the black population took place at a time when segregation began to be abandoned throughout the world.

The fight against apartheid became one of the main directions in the work of the UN in the 1970s and 1980s.

One of the main fighters against apartheid was Nelson Mandella, who was later awarded Nobel Prize peace. Interestingly, after the fall of the regime, the white population in South Africa almost halved.

However, millions of black South Africans still live in poverty and without adequate education. These segments of the population join the army of street criminals, which is one of the main problems of the modern Republic of South Africa.

Geography of South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is located in the very south of the African continent. With an area of ​​1,1221,038 sq. km in terms of area, this country is ranked 24th in the world. The highest point in South Africa is Mount Njesuti, which is located in the mountain range with the poetic name of the Drakensberg Mountains. The length of the coastline is 2798 sq. km

The climatic zones of the Republic of South Africa are striking in their diversity. From the arid Namib Desert to the subtropical Indian Ocean coast. The east of South Africa is mostly mountainous - this is where the Drakensberg Mountains are located. This may probably sound funny, but here, in the south of the hottest continent, skiing is thriving.

The southwest of South Africa has an extremely pleasant climate, very similar to the Mediterranean. Famous South African wine is produced here.

In the very south of South Africa is the infamous Cape of Good Hope and the southernmost point of Africa

In terms of borders, South Africa is a unique state: Lesotho is located entirely within South Africa. Also in the north, South Africa borders Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland and Zimbabwe

Beaches of South Africa

South Africa can be proud of such wonderful beaches that it is almost impossible to find similar ones in the world. The ocean temperature during the season will please even the most fastidious tourist. The beaches of Port Elizabeth and East London are very good for surfing. One of the most famous beaches in the country, Cape Vidal is famous for its sand the color of snow. But undoubtedly the most beautiful is the Wild Coast beach located in the Eastern Cape province. Rocks and raging waves crashing against them are a spectacle of unprecedented beauty that attracts tourists. In addition, there is a large penguin colony on the coast of South Africa.

Population of South Africa

The Republic of South Africa has a population of 51.8 million people (according to 2010 data). In the modern demography of South Africa, two trends have emerged - a strong outflow of the white population to Europe, Australia and North America and a huge influx of black people from other African countries. The country's population is practically not growing due to the massive spread of HIV infection (one of the highest levels in the world). At the same time, the mortality rate exceeds the birth rate, and a slight dynamics of population growth is present only due to mass migration from other countries.

80% of the South African population is black. About 9% are mulattoes, the same number are white. Indians and Asians about 2.5%

Of the blacks, the most numerous are:

• Zulus – 38%
• Soto – 28%
• Kosa – 11.5%
• Tswana - 6.6%.
• Tsonga and Shangaan - 6.6%
• There are also Bushmen and Hoggentoth societies.

The literacy rate of the population is one of the highest in Africa - about 86%. (about equally divided between men and women. This indicator female literacy is highest in Africa)

Most of the population professes various movements of Christianity (of which there are many here). Including about 35 thousand people are Orthodox Christians. The proportion of the Muslim population is low - less than 1.5%

In South Africa there is a huge contrast between the population living in good conditions(15%) and half live in poverty. The unemployment rate is about 40%. Every third worker earns less than $50 per month. Despite all this and the relatively unstable economic situation, the local population lives much better than in other African countries where terrible poverty reigns.

The average life expectancy is 50 years. However, in 2000 it was only 43 years. South Africa is a rare country where the average life expectancy of women is lower than that of men.

Economy of the Republic of South Africa

South Africa's economy is the most developed in Africa. Thanks to this, it is the only country that is not considered part of the Third World. In terms of GDP, South Africa ranks 33rd in the world

The currency of South Africa is the South African rand, which is equal to 100 South African cents.

In the depths of South Africa there are more than 40 types of metals and minerals. Gold, platinum, diamonds, coal are mined here, iron ores. South Africa ranks first in the world in gold production.

In addition, South Africa is the center of African automotive manufacturing. BMW, Hummer, Mazda, Ford and Toyota are assembled in South Africa

In addition, the Republic of South Africa can be called an agricultural country. Grains, citrus fruits, corn, cotton, sugar cane, and many other crops are grown here. South Africa also has one of the largest cattle populations in the world. cattle and sheep.

One of South Africa's main imports is oil, which is not available in the country at all. The main trade relations of the Republic of South Africa are with the USA, China, Germany, Japan and the UK.

IN this moment economic policy the state is aimed at stabilizing the economy as much as possible.

• Painting is very developed in the Republic of South Africa (compared to other African countries)
• The famous group Die Antwoord comes from South Africa.
• An ultra-marathon is taking place in South Africa, 90 km long.
• Desiree Wilson, the first and so far only female Formula 1 driver, was from South Africa.
• South Africa hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup
• The famous Limpopo River is located here
• South Africa is a major wine producer
• The reservations where blacks lived during apartheid are called Bantustan.
• to South Africa immediately 11 official languages: English, Africanas, Southern Ndebele, Xhosa, Zulu, Northern Sotho, Sesotho, Tswana, Swazi, Venda, Tsonga.
• Black racists call the country Azania
• It was on the territory of modern South Africa that the Transvaal and the Orange Republic were founded by the Boers. Subsequently, these dwarf states desperately resisted British colonization, which delighted many contemporaries.
• During apartheid, an employer could officially refuse to hire a black person because... he was black.
• South Africa is the only country in Africa where homosexual marriage is legal.
• The capital Pretoria is several times smaller than the large cities of Johannesburg and Cape Town.
• More than 8 million tourists visit South Africa every year
• The only Muslim community lives in Cape Town. These are Cape Malays who make up 6% of the city's population
• One of the official languages ​​is Afrikaans. It is spoken by the descendants of the colonialists. It is a mixture of German, Dutch, in English with numerous borrowings from many other languages.
• Afrikaans are taught in some universities. Including the most prestigious university in South Africa, Stellenbosch.
• The Republic of South Africa is a country of hunters. This is where the famous safari comes from.
• South African currency exchange rate: 14.5 rand = one dollar

Adventure and relaxation

TRIP THROUGH NAMIBIA, BOTSWANA, ZAMBIA and ZIMBABWE (30.09.-12.10.2019)
Traveling through the countries of South Africa

TRIP TO CHAD (02.11 - 16.11.2019)
Forgotten Treasures of the Desert

TRIP THROUGH UGANDA, RWANDA AND CONGO (21.11 - 04.12.2019)
In the land of volcanoes and mountain gorillas

TRIP THROUGH GHANA, TOGO AND BENIN (12/29/2019 - 01/12/2020)
Voodoo Festival

NEW YEAR'S TRIP THROUGH UGANDA (from 12/28/2019 - 01/10/2020)
All of Uganda in 12 days

TRIP THROUGH ETHIOPIA (01/02 - 01/13/2019)
Danakil Desert and tribes of the Omo Valley

NORTH SUDAN (03.01. - 11.01.20)
Traveling through ancient Nubia

TRAVEL AROUND CAMEROON (02/08 - 02/22/2020)
Africa in miniature

TRIP THROUGH MALI (27.02 - 08.03.2020)
Mysterious land of the Dogons

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NORTH SUDAN
Traveling through ancient Nubia

TRAVEL THROUGH IRAN
Ancient civilization

TRAVEL IN MYANMAR
Mystical country

TRAVEL THROUGH VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA
Colors of Southeast Asia

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Africa Tur → Reference materials → EAST AND SOUTH AFRICA → South Africa. Population

South Africa. Population

Population. The indigenous inhabitants of South Africa - the Bushmen and Hottentots - have a number of similar features. They are characterized by a combination of Negril (short stature) and typically Negroid (curly hair, wide nose) features with some features characteristic of Mongoloids (for example, yellowish, slightly wrinkled skin).

Bushmen, Hottentots and related peoples were once widely settled south of the rainforest zone throughout southern and parts of eastern Africa. Here, in many places, the wonderful rock paintings of wild animals, scenes of hunting, gathering, war, and religious rituals left by them have been preserved.

The Bushmen (“people of the bushes,” as Europeans called them) knew neither agriculture nor cattle breeding and earned their living by hunting and gathering wild fruits. They were divided into tribes, each of which had a special name, its own language and its own territory. In search of food, the Bushmen wandered in small groups. The bow and javelin are the common equipment of men; women used pointed sticks with stone weights to dig up edible roots, search for larvae, etc. The Bushmen adapted well to the harsh conditions of semi-deserts and veld. They knew the habits of animals, the properties of plants, and knew how to get water where other people would die of thirst right up to the river. Kay. The main Bantu tribal groups were Xhosa, Zulu, Tswana, Basotho (Sutho), Shona, and Rozvi. They gradually pushed aside the former population and partially assimilated it. 3 beginning of the 2nd millennium AD e. in the Zambezi-Limpopo interfluve, the Bantu switched to cattle breeding. Their main source of livelihood was the herds of large and small livestock that belonged to large patriarchal families. They settled in kraals, in which huts were located around a cattle pen. The Hottentots knew how to do ceramic dishes, knew the smelting and processing of iron and used metal tools. They probably adopted the iron culture from their neighbors - the Negroid agricultural peoples who speak Bantu languages ​​and now make up the main population of southern Africa.

The Bantu came from the north and already in the 1st millennium AD. e. settled areas of southern Africa convenient for agriculture, mainly along the east coast, early class public education Monomotapa with a high level of economy and culture.

The development of the traditional culture of the peoples of southern Africa was interrupted by the expansion of European colonialists. The Portuguese were the first to invade the modern territory of Mozambique and Zimbabwe, but widespread colonization of southern Africa began in the 17th century.

The policy of colonialism became most aggressive in the 19th century, when it was carried out by Great Britain. The lands were occupied by Bantu and Boers - descendants of Dutch colonists.

Bantu tribal associations stubbornly resisted the colonialists. Particularly significant was the Zulu resistance, which was led by the paramount leader, the talented organizer and commander Chaka. Chaka and his successors waged a heroic struggle against the colonialists. At the same time, under the pressure of the colonialists, some tribal associations disintegrated and lost ethnic territory. One group (Zulu) moved across the river. Limpopo and settled in the south of what is now Mozambique among the Tsonga; another (Matabele) advanced into the Shona area; finally, the third group went beyond the river. Zambezi, on the basis of this group the Ngoni (Angoni) people were formed.

The Hottentots and Bushmen were pushed beyond the river. Orange: the Hottentots - to the Namib Desert, and the Bushmen - to the semi-desert regions of the Kalahari. Some of the Bushmen took refuge in the mountains of Basutoland (Lesotho), where they were completely exterminated by the Boers.

Colonial wars, especially the second half of the 19th century century, sharply disrupted the course of demographic and ethnic processes. Heavy losses during wars and uprisings and the expropriation of lands carried out by the colonialists led to the extinction of many tribes and peoples.

The current ethnic composition and distribution of the population of southern Africa is very mosaic. About % of the population of southern African countries (61 million in 1980) are Africans. The capitalist economy of the Republic of South Africa is mainly based on the brutal exploitation of this population.

The ethnic composition of the population of southern African countries is complex. Bantu peoples predominate (about 78% of the total population); Bushmen and Hottentots - 0.5%, descendants of immigrants from European countries along with mestizos - 19, immigrants from Asia and their descendants - 2%.

In South Africa, the territories allocated for Bantu settlements (bantustans) occupy only 13% of all lands; in Namibia, reserves account for half of the entire territory. As a rule, the lands allocated to Africans are infertile and overpopulated.

Among the immigrants from Europe in South Africa are Afrikaners, or Boers, English, Germans, Portuguese, French, Italians, Jews, etc. Persons of mixed origin, according to official statistics in South Africa, are identified as a separate ethnic group, the so-called “colored”. This group also includes descendants of representatives of some peoples from Africa and Asia. The division into racial categories is strictly regulated.

Migrants from Asia, among whom Indians predominated, arrived in southern Africa a hundred years ago in connection with the expansion of sugar plantations in Na Tal. Later, traders and artisans began to move here.

The ethnic and linguistic composition of the population of Lesotho, Swaziland, and Botswana is homogeneous. Over 60% of Africans retain local traditional beliefs. The most archaic religious ideas and cults can be found among the Hottentots and Bushmen. These are ritual ceremonies for inducing rain, worshiping totems (for example, the veneration of the grasshopper mantis), etc. More developed polytheistic beliefs existed until recently among the Bantu peoples, in particular among the Zulu.

In South Africa it operates a large number of Christian churches of the most varied kinds: Dutch Reformed, Anglican, Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic, etc. Among local peoples, Christian dogmas and especially rituals adopted much from traditional rituals Africans, especially music and dancing. The Zulu celebrate with great pomp the celebration of the ascension of the head of the sect to the mountain, which ends with dancing to the drums in traditional robes of narrow strips of fur, belts of bright material, beads and bright and picturesque headdresses.

Many people from India practice Hinduism. Some of the immigrants from India and Pakistan are Muslims. Islam is practiced by the peoples of northern Mozambique - Makua, Yao and Swahili.

The annual population growth of all southern African countries is about 3%, which is higher than the world average. Population itself large country- South Africa grew from 5.2 million people in 1904 to 16 million people in 1960, 21.5 million people in 1970 and 29.2 million people in 1979. The population grew due to both natural growth and immigration. IN last years the influx of immigrants from European and Asian countries has decreased.

The current demographic situation in South Africa and Namibia is closely related to the policy of racial segregation and discrimination carried out in a racist manner. colonial regimes in relation to the population with dark color skin. High birth and death rates are characteristic of the African population. The mortality rate among Africans is almost twice that of whites. Child mortality is especially significant.

The average population density of southern Africa is over 15 people per 1 sq. km.

The bulk of the population in southern African countries is concentrated in the most economically developed areas. In the central mining region of South Africa between Pretoria and Johannesburg, the average population density exceeds 100 people per square meter. km. Another area with high population density is the narrow coastal lowland in the southeast, stretching from Cape Town to the mouth of the river. Limpopo in Mozambique (from 30 to 100 people per 1 sq. km). High density population also in Lesotho (more than 40 people per 1 sq. km) and Swaziland (about 30 people per 1 sq. km).

In the interior, arid regions of South Africa - in Namibia, Botswana and the Cape Province of South Africa - the population is sparse. Cattle breeders and hunters live here. In the Namib Desert and the Kalahari semi-desert, the population density is less than 1 person per 1 sq. km. In South Africa, almost half of the population lives in cities; two cities have more than 100 thousand inhabitants each.