Features of the geographical position of South Africa. Geography of South Africa: population, relief, climate, flora and fauna

Republic of South Africa

Republic of South Africa (South Africa) - a state in the southern part of the African continent, washed by the waters of the Atlantic and Indian oceans. On its territory there are small independent states of Lesotho and Swaziland, in the north it borders on Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.

The name of the country is due to the geographical location of the country.

Capital

Pretoria.

Square

Population

46,000 thousand people

Administrative division

The state is divided into 9 provinces.

Form of government

Republic.

head of state

The president.

supreme legislative body

The bicameral parliament is the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.

Supreme executive body

Government.

Big cities

Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Benoni, Bloemfontein.

Official language

English, Afrikaans.

Religion

80% - Christians, 10% - profess Hinduism, 8% - Islam.

Ethnic composition

77% - Africans, 12% - Europeans and their descendants, 11% - immigrants from Asian countries.

Currency

Rand = 100 cents.

Climate

On the territory of the state there are 20 climatic zones. Natal region is different high humidity which is characteristic of a hot tropical climate. The Cape Town region enjoys a Mediterranean climate with dry, hot summers and mild winters. The rest of the state has a tropical climate. The climate in South Africa is more moderate than in other countries located at the same latitudes, this is due to the sufficient height above sea level and the proximity of ocean currents. Most precipitation falls in the east (1000-2000 mm per year), the least - on the Atlantic coast (less than 100 mm).

Flora

The flora of South Africa is rich - at least 20,000 species of plants grow here. From here, many flowers that are now common in Europe were once taken out - among them are geranium, gladiolus, and narcissus. There are more than 5,000 species of plants found in the Cape Town area that no longer grow in any other country in the world. A silver tree has been preserved, the flower of which is the national symbol of South Africa. The main part of the country is savannas.

Fauna

Among the representatives of the animal world of South Africa are elephant, rhinoceros, zebra, lion, giraffe, cheetah, aardvark, antelope, hyena, golden mole, tarsier, various types of birds.

Rivers and lakes

The largest rivers are the Orange and Limpopo.

Attractions

In Cape Town - the Castle of Good Hope, the South African Museum, which presents the findings of archaeological excavations in the vicinity and samples of rock art of the Bushmen.

Useful information for tourists

Tips in a restaurant are 10-12% of the total order value (including drinks), porter service is from 2 to 5 rand per piece of luggage, a driver guide is 15-20 rand per person per day of work.
No vaccinations are required, unless you are planning a trip to the northeastern regions (areas where the malaria mosquito is present). Along with taking antimalarial drugs, it is recommended to wear long sleeves and use insecticides. Malaria mosquitoes are most active at dusk. Air conditioners and fans also reduce the risk of mosquito bites.

Political and geographical position. The Republic of South Africa (SAR) is located in the southern part of the African continent, it is washed by the waters of the Atlantic and Indian oceans. The small independent states of Swaziland and Lesotho are located on the territory of South Africa. South Africa is a republic. The head of state is the president. The legislature is a bicameral parliament (the Senate and the National Assembly). Administrative-territorial division of the country: 9 provinces: Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, Northwestern Province, Northern Province, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Goteng. The administrative capital is Pretoria (1000 thousand people), the seat of parliament is Cape Town (2000 thousand people), the center of the judicial system is Bloemfontein. Natural conditions and resources. South Africa has a variety of natural resources, primarily mineral. The surface of the country resembles a huge amphitheater: its high part is formed in the east and south by the Drakensberg and Cape mountains, and in the north the plateau descends into the Kalahari desert. Most of territory is raised above sea level by 1000 m or more. The country is characterized by a tropical climate in the north, subtropical - in the south. On the plateaus, the average temperatures in the summer months are +18 ° ... +27 ° С, in winter - from +7 ° to +10 ° С. Frosts are possible in the south-west for 5-6 months, and droughts are also encountered. Most precipitation falls in the east (1000-2000 mm per year), the least - on the Atlantic coast (less than 100 mm per year). The dry season is in winter (May - September). Water resources South Africa are insignificant. Most of the permanent rivers belong to the Indian Ocean basins (Limpopo, Ulifants, Tugela, Great Fish, etc.). The basin of the Atlantic Ocean covers the longest river in the country, rapids and unstable in terms of water flow, on which large hydrotechnical stations have been built. Mineral resources. The bowels of the country are rich in various minerals. Unique deposits of manganese (12.2 billion tons - 82% of the world), platinum (30 thousand tons - 82%), chromium (3 billion tons - 58%), gold (33.7 thousand tons - 53%) , vanadium (13.9 million tons - 50%), as well as fluorite (47 million tons), some varieties of asbestos, the reserves of which South Africa ranks first in the world. In addition, South Africa leads Africa in terms of reserves hard coal, uranium, iron ore, titanium, antimony, lead, etc.. Existing huge deposits of diamonds, formerly jewelry (the world's largest deposits of Kimberley, Finch, Premier, etc.). The deposits of pyrite, rare and rare-earth metals, gypsum, cement raw materials, clay, etc. are rich. Plant and animal resources. There are 16 thousand plant species in the country. The flora is unique in the southwest (Cape Town area). In some places, a silver tree has been preserved, the flower of which is the national symbol of the country. Forests occupy only 3% of the territory of South Africa. On the south and east coasts, small areas with Cape boxwood, mahogany and ironwood, as well as podocarpus, etc. Savannahs occupy a significant area. European colonization changed animal world, many species of animals are almost exterminated and are preserved only in nature reserves, and some of them are driven north (elephants, white rhinos, zebras, antelopes, giraffes, lions, ostriches). However, there are many baboons, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs, and the bird fauna is diverse. Recreational resources. The natural and recreational potential of South Africa is powerful: a favorable climate, beautiful picturesque landscapes, an abundance of national parks and nature reserves. Population. The population of South Africa is 43 million people. Blacks make up about 76% of the population and belong to many tribes of several language groups. Among the whites of South Africa (13%), two groups can be distinguished: Afrikaners who speak Afrikaans and English-speaking whites. Afrikaners make up 60% of the white population of South Africa and are of Dutch, German, French or English origin. English-speaking residents of South Africa are mostly from the UK, Portugal and Greece. Another 9% of the population of South Africa are mestizos, descendants of white colonists and slaves exported from Malaysia and India. In 1860, another group joined the country's population - these are Indians brought from Madras to grow sugar cane, most of them live in the province of Natal (2-2.6%).

South Africa message on geography, will briefly tell you a lot useful information about a country in southern Africa. Also, a message about South Africa will help you prepare for the lesson and deepen your knowledge of geography.

Report about South Africa

Republic of South Africa is the richest country in the world, which is located in the southernmost part of the African continent. She received such a status due to attractive places for travel and recreation.

• South Africa area- 1,221,040 km 2.
• Capital Cities— Cape Town, Pretoria, Bloemfontein
• Population– 54,956,900 people

South Africa borders Mozambique to the northeast, Zimbabwe and Botswana to the north, and Namibia to the northwest. Inside the republic there are independent small states - Lesotho and Swaziland. The state is washed by the Atlantic Ocean in the west and the Indian Ocean in the east.

The territory of South Africa is covered with savannas, semi-deserts, steppes and thickets of evergreen shrubs. The most big river- Orange, in the basin of which there are important agricultural and industrial regions of the country, hydraulic structures. The Limpopo and Tugela rivers also play an important role. The state is crossed by the Dragon Mountains. Here is the highest African waterfall - Tugela.

South Africa is divided into 9 provinces:

• Western Cape
• Eastern Cape
• KwaZulu Natal
• Goteng
• North Western Province
• Mpumalanga
• Limpopo
• northern cape
• Free State

State structure of South Africa

South Africa is a parliamentary republic. The role of the Head of State and the Commander-in-Chief of the Army is performed by the President, who is elected by the Parliament from among the candidate deputies of the National Assembly.

Climate of South Africa

The territory of the state is located in the tropical and subtropical zones. The climate is somewhat cool and arid. The summer average annual temperature is +20…+23 °С. Winter season temperatures are 10 °C lower. On the coasts, the average amount of precipitation is 100 mm, and on the slopes of the mountains - up to 2000 mm.

Natural resources of South Africa

The state has powerful ore natural resources (manganese, iron ore, uranium), chromites, diamonds. platinum, coal and gold. There are no oil and gas fields here.

Flora and fauna of South Africa

The vegetation is represented by shrubs, acacias and low-grass steppe. Aloe, fragrant, iron, yellow and ebony trees, ficuses are widespread in the republic. The animal world is more diverse. Jackals, wild cats, hyenas, panthers, ungulates, elephants, cheetahs live in South Africa. Snakes, crocodiles, rhinos live near water bodies. Of the birds in the republic, bustards and ostriches are common.

Sights of South Africa

Table Mountain, Robben Island, Garden Route, Knysna City, Stellenbosch Old Town, Ostrich Capital, Durban, Kruger National Park, Soweto, Dragon Mountains, Limpopo Park, Tugela Falls, Tsitsikamma Marine National Park.

• South Africa is the second largest fruit exporting country in the world.
• The safety of tap water ranks third in the world.
• South Africa has the cheapest electricity in the world.
• Near the coast there are more than 2000 sunken ships. Some of them are over 500 years old.
• Table Mountain is the oldest in the world. Officially recognized as one of the seven new wonders of nature.
• The world's first heart transplant was performed here (1967).
• The country is a major producer of gold and has 80% of the world's platinum reserves in its bowels.

We hope that the report from South Africa helped you prepare for the lesson, and you learned a lot of useful information about the South African country. And you can add a story about South Africa through the comment form below.

Geographical position

Official name - Republic of South Africa.

State located in southern Africa. In the north-east it borders on Mozambique, in the north- with Zimbabwe and Botswana.In North-west borders with Namibia.

Total area of ​​South Africa is more than 1.2 million sq. km. The country is washed by the waters Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

The country is dominated by landscapes natural areas savannah and woodlands, semi-deserts and deserts. In the east there is a coastal lowland, and in the south there is a depression. This location of the country predetermines the presence of various natural landscapes.

Most of the country is occupied by high flat plateaus "caroo" and mountains, whose height does not exceed 2500 m. Only a narrow strip of plains stretches along the coast.

It is separated from the highlands draconian ridge (Great Ledge) and Cape mountains.The highest point in the country is an Mount Mont-au-Source. Its height is 3299 meters.

In South Africa there are two small enclave states - mountain kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland.

South Africa has several climatic zones and climatic zones- from the desert zone to the zones of the Mediterranean climate and subtropics . dominate the country tropical and subtropical climate. January average temperature here it is from +18 C to +27 C. July average temperature- from +7 C to +10 C.

Need to know that the seasons in South Africa are the opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere. Winter here it lasts from June to August, and summer- from October to March. Spring and autumn in South Africa are quite short.

There is usually little rainfall. On the coast falls from 60 mm, on the plateau - 650 mm, on the eastern slopes of the Dragon Mountains - up to 2000 mm.

In general, we can say that the climate in the country smooth and soft throughout the year, a large number of sunny days.

Temperature sea ​​water differs depending on the area. In the Atlantic Ocean, it is quite cool. Her average temperature is 12 ° C-17 ° C. But on the coast indian ocean it usually warms up to 21 ° C-26 ° C.

Visas, entry rules, customs rules

For entry into the territory of South Africa for citizens of Russia necessary apply for a visa. A visa can be obtained at the consular section of the South African Embassy located in Moscow.

To the country duty-free allowed import a small amount of alcoholic beverages, cigars and cigarettes, as well as gifts and souvenirs, the value of which does not exceed 500 South African rands. Mandatory customs control weapons, as well as antiquities and art, are subject to importation into the country. If goods worth more than 10,000 rand are imported into South Africa, then necessary pay the fee. The fee is 20% of the total amount.

To country it is forbidden import automatic and military weapons, explosives, ammunition, drugs and narcotic preparations in any form.

Population, political condition

Total population South Africa is 43.7 million people. Various nationalities and ethnic groups coexist in the country.

Black people Bantu makes up 77.6% of the total population of South Africa. also live here mestizos, which are descendants of Malagasy, Indians and Malays - 8,7%. white population is about 10.3%, Indians - 2.5%.

Currently in South Africa three capitals: Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein. City Pretoria It is the administrative capital and the seat of the president of the country.Cape Town represents legislative capital of South Africa. About 2 million people live in it. The country's parliament sits here. City Bloemfontein is an judicial capital of South Africa. About 180 thousand people live in it.

The largest cities in the country: Johannesburg(1.8 million people), Durban(1 million people), Port Elizabeth(400 thousand people) and Germiston(200 thousand people).

Administratively, the country is divided into 9 provinces: Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal, North Western Province, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, Free State, Houteng, Northern Cape and Limpopo.

South Africa is republic with a presidential form of government. Country is an independent member of the British Commonwealth.

Legislature - bicameral parliament, consisting of Senate and National Assembly. Each of the 9 provinces of South Africa has its own parliament, legislature and a government accountable to the country's prime minister.

In South Africa there is 11 state languages belonging to the main groups of the population. The most widespread Zulu. English language is also widely used in the daily life of the population of the country.

What to watch

Kalahari represents one of the most unusual places in the world. This famous desert is located on the ocean, but is considered one of the driest places on our planet. Here you can observe fantastic landscapes and unique animals.

In the Kalahari there are many attractions. Here is located Augrabis National Park with the famous two-stage waterfall. Tourists can also visit the magnificent Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, whose area is about 2 million hectares.

In the Eastern Cape There are a large number of national parks and reserves: Tsitsikamma, Naches Valley, Donkin, Mkambati, national park" Zebra Mountain"and Elephant National Park" Addo", lying on the border with the Cape Province. Near Algoa Bay there are chic beaches over 40 km long. Untouched" Wild Coast" interesting with huge sand dunes, oyster banks and a beautiful valley Happy Valley.

South of the Orange River located semi-desert Karoo plateau. On it lies Karoo National Park. Here is the largest River port South Africa - East London.

In East London you can visit City Aquarium with large quantity various types of marine and freshwater fish. Interesting and East London Museum with rare items. Also popular with tourists are " ostrich capital" Oudtshoorn, nature reserves Gamka Mountain.

Famous Kruger National Park located in the Eastern Transvaal. He is calling card SOUTH AFRICA. More than 50 species of fish, 114 species of reptiles, 507 species of birds and 147 species of mammals are represented in this unique reserve. There are interesting nurseries around the park - Sabi Sand, Skukuza, Manieleti Game and etc.

In Port Elizabeth you can visit the wonderful Oceanarium, Elephant Park and museum complex Port Elizabeth. Quite interesting are the Victorian quarters of the old part of the city.

Grahamstown considered the most English city SOUTH AFRICA. Worthy of note here Cape Recife Ecological Reserve and reserve Shamwari. The latter contains the only real traditional Kaya Lendaba village on the territory of South Africa. Is widely known Addo Elephant National Park (Addo). The city is also home to the famous Cathedral of St. Michel and George.

Cape Town was founded in 1652. This city is the seat of the country's parliament and the capital of the Western Cape. The city is very attractive for tourists. It is spread out on a peninsula that separates two oceans. The peninsula ends famous Cape of Good Hope. Near the city is table mountain, whose height is 1086 m.

This city has a large number of attractions. interesting residence of the President of South Africa,one of the best botanical gardens in the world - Kirstenbosch. You can also visit longest shopping street on the continent - Furtrekker Road. South African Cultural History Museum located at Slave Lodge, which is one of the oldest buildings in the city. Jewish Museum situated in the building of the oldest synagogue in South Africa.

Durban is one of the largest ports in Africa and provincial capital of KwaZulu-Natal. It is a very wealthy city and a popular resort. Durban " golden mile" ("Marine Crossing") is famous for the fact that it moored here Vasco da Gama. Today it is the best place to relax. Here come for spearfishing, diving, swimming, recreation and entertainment.

Worth seeing here St. Paul's Church, the largest mosque southern hemisphere Juma located in Indian Quarter. Traditionally popular with tourists National Museum of Natural History, Museum Natural Sciences , Museum of Old Buildings and Center for African Art. Must visit reptile parkFitzsimmons, Dolphinarium Sea World and Durban Botanic Garden. In Ulundi situated residence of the Zulu King Goodwin Zwelithini. To Dundee interesting enough Talana Museum. In Pietermaritzburg there is Natal Provincial Museum, Queen Elizabeth Park, as well as Vorttrekker Museum and National Botanical Garden Natal.

Amlanga Rocks is one of the most luxurious resorts in South Africa. Here it is shark institute and African Art Gallery. You can see howan reserved forest and Umgeni River Bird Park.

In Tongata quite picturesque hindu temples juggernuff puri and Vishwarup. stanger (Dukuza) represents The ancient capital of the Zulu kingdom. The city has an interesting North Shore Museum and big East market.

Unique dragon mountains and Veld are considered natural monuments. Mountain resorts are located here. These places are distinguished by picturesque landscapes.

The historical center of South Africa is the northwest of the country. Here it is provinces Gotang (Houteng) and lie arid the Transvaal plateau. It was from here that the beginning of the colonization of these lands was laid. This place is concentrated the most important cities in the country - Johannesburg and Pretoria. These cities are the financial, industrial and commercial centers of the country.

Johannesburg the locals used to call Joburg (Yosi). This city was founded in 1886. Then the gold digger George Harrison from Australia found a gold mine here. Since then, the city began to grow very rapidly. Today it is one of the richest cities in the world. It looks quite industrial. In the city center there are enough interesting buildings. The most beautiful building in the city is considered skyscraper "Diamond", quite interesting for tourists Museum of Medicine Adler, Paleontological Museum. You can also visit Rock Art Museum in the zoological park. In Johannesburg, numerous tourists are always attracted by the famous diamond factory. Here you can not only see, but also buy diamonds right after cutting. The city is home to Africa's largest multi-storey shopping mall called Sandton. "market square"is one of the most grandiose markets of the African continent.

The former suburbs surrounding the metropolis are also attractive for tourists. Worth seeing here Africa Museum in Newtown and Museum of Nelson Mandela. To Soweto is the best on the African continent zoo. Are very popular Lesedi Cultural Village in Swartkops Hills and historic Zulu village Sibaya-Zulu-Boma. Located nearby Wadderbil Park- real bird sanctuary. "gold mine" situated in Rendfontein.

60 km. north of Johannesburg lies Tswane city (Pretoria). It is one of the capitals of South Africa and the administrative center of the Transvaal province. In this city it is recommended to see Kerkplats square with the old Town Hall, as well as Cathedral Square with the buildings of the Old Raadsaal and the Palace of Justice. In Braintirion Park is the official residence of the President of South Africa. At the Kruger Museum there are expositions devoted to the first president of the Transvaal, Paulus Kruger, and the history of the Anglo-Boer War.

The attractions of this city are quite interesting, such as: Monument to the First Settlers, building of the South African Reserve Bank, which is the most tall building cities, National Zoo of South Africa and observatory "Radcliffe". Here you can also visit municipal art gallery and numerous museums.

The Dragon Mountains form a natural border with Eastern Lesotho. highest point is an Mount Tkabana-Ntlenyana. Its height is 3482 m. The length of this basalt wall is about 250 km. This area is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Nature here is distinguished by its beauty and diversity. In the areas of Zululand and the North Shore tourists have an amazing opportunity to get acquainted with the culture of the Zulu peoples.

Most of the mountainous areas are occupied by national parks. The most famous and interesting of them is Royal Natal National Park. The southern border of this park is formed by the so-called " Amphitheater". This is a very unusual type of cliff. Its length is 8 km.

Not far from here is the famous Tugela waterfall 948 meters high. This waterfall consists of five cascades. Lake Santa Lucia and adjacent territories, which occupies 275 thousand hectares, were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Lake Sibaya is the largest natural freshwater lake in South Africa. Its area is 77 sq. km. In the vicinity of this lake there is a large number of reserves: Loteni, Highville, Swamp, Giant Castle, Itala, Valley, Ndumo, Mkuzi, Wilderness, Royal National Park etc. In the eastern part of the country there are magnificent reserves Umfolosi and Hluhluwe that stretched for many kilometers.

maputaland represents the land of nations tsonga. It is one of the most remote and wild regions of the country. These lands are famous for their sand dunes, which are considered the highest in the world. There are large areas with absolutely untouched nature. In these places, there is a collision of tropical and subtropical climatic zones. This fact explains the diversity of the local flora and fauna.

In Maputaland almost all existing species of wild animals of South Africa and more than four hundred species of birds are found. Numerous fans of outdoor activities come here. Coral reefs in Sodwana Bay National Park great for exciting diving and sea fishing. For lovers of sunbathing, there are excellent beaches. Unique area Cozy Bay famous for its salt lake ecosystem.

North Western Province attracts with its unique natural conditions for outdoor activities. The local fauna is striking in its richness. It will be interesting to visit many caves. Moreover, many of them are of great interest from the point of view of studying the origin of man. In this area there are lakes and streams with the purest water.

Tourists are recommended to visit here. Pilanesberg National Park, as well as nature reserves Medikwe, Botsalano and Faan Meintjies. Very interesting Center for Wild Animal Reproduction in Lichtenburg. Also popular are: Reptile and Animal Parkin Hartbeespoort, amusement park "Golden Reef", Vaal River. Attract visitors and places that are associated with the Boer War. There is also an entertainment city called sun city. It is an analogue of the American Las Vegas.

In the extreme south of South Africa lies the famous cape peninsula. It has a wide variety of historical and cultural attractions.

From Cape Town begins the famous " Garden Route". This is one of the most magnificent sightseeing routes in the world. From here, tourists also have the opportunity to visit Needle Cape and reserves of the Cape of Good Hope, as well as Fernkloof. From Cape Town you can go to resort Hermanus famous for its whale festivals.

Great popularity among numerous tourists who come to South Africa enjoy the magnificent endless beaches Kleinmond, Camps Bay, Clifton, Lianduno, Sandy Bay, Whitsands, Scarborough, Falls Bay, Mulsenberg, Fish Hook. Interesting enough Seal Island Dyulker.In Hout Bay can see giant bird colony.

In the vineyard region of Boland famous wine centers Stellenbosch, Parl, Franschhoek and Constant.

northern cape is the largest province in South Africa. This region of the great desert is interesting, first of all, for its unique wildlife. There is a very beautiful nature and a large number of minerals.

kimberley is the diamond capital of the country. This city appeared around the diamond mines. In the city center you can still see the famous Big Hole ("Great Hole"). It represents world's largest open pit mine. This mine is famous for the fact that it started with it" diamond rush"at the beginning of the last century. Here, for a small fee, tourists have the opportunity to try to find a diamond on their own.

Currently, Kimberley is a modern city. Here you can see wide streets, wonderful parks and gardens. Tourists coming to Kimberley have the opportunity to comfortably stay in modern hotels. The city has its own tourist tram. Worth a visit here Museum fine arts William Humphreys. quite interesting and Mining Museum, which is located on the edge of the Big Hole.

5 km. off the Kimberley there is a diamond deposit that is still active today called Bultfontein. Numerous tourists are taken here on excursions.

interesting thunder alley rapids and Egerton Rapids on the Orange River. From here, most of the routes to the great Kalahari Desert begin.

Mosselbay and Richards Bay are major ports and resort towns of the country. Between them along the coast stretched a large number of the most luxurious hotels and beaches in the country.

In ancient times, on the territory of modern South Africa lived Bushmen, Hottentots and Bantu peoples. In 1488 Portuguese sailors discovered the southern tip of the African continent. After that, the colonization of the country began.

In 1652 the Dutch East India Company founded the first European settlement here. In the history of South Africa there are many wars between England and the descendants of the Dutch settlers. The descendants of the Dutch made up a special ethnic community - Boers. A particularly fierce struggle was waged here after diamond deposits were discovered on the territory of the country. As a result Boer War 1899 - 1902 the Boer republics were captured by Great Britain.

May 31, 1910 was formed Union of South Africa. The mass struggle against apartheid was spearheaded African National Congress(ANC), founded in 1912. On May 31, 1961, the Union was transformed into Republic of South Africa(South Africa) within the British Commonwealth.

This union included self-governing English colonies(Cape, Natal) and Boer republics (Orange Free State and Transvaal). After that, political parties were legalized in the country. In 1993, the state government began to take steps to desegregate education. On April 27, 1994, democracy came to South Africa, and an interim constitution came into force. At the same time, the first multi-racial elections to the National Assembly were held. In June of that year, South Africa regained its membership in the Commonwealth. President country was elected leader of the ANC N. Mandela.

International trade

Foreign trade is very great importance in the economic life of the country. South Africa is one of the 25 largest exporters in the world. Income from foreign trade account for about 50% of GDP. The volume of exports even slightly exceeds the volume of imports.

Main trading partners of the country: America, Germany, Japan, UK, France, Italy and Canada. There is a noticeable increase in the turnover of foreign trade with these states.

The main import products are cars, food, oil, vehicles and chemical products . Main import partners: Germany, USA, China, Japan, UK, France, Saudi Arabia and Iran.

The main export commodities areequipment, minerals (diamonds, gold and platinum), machinery, vehicles, foodstuffs and the drinks. Main export partners:USA, UK, Japan, Germany and Netherlands.

South Africa plays a major role in activities South African customs union (SACU), which was created in 1969.

The shops

South African cities have the shops and shopping centers where you can buy anything you want.

souvenir shops offer a wide variety of ethnic souvenirs.

convenience stores located at gas stations and car service stations. Need to know that beer and spirits are not sold in supermarkets, only wines can be bought in them. For spirits there are specialized shops.

Shops and shopping centers of the country usually open from Monday to Friday until 18:00. On Saturday they are open until 15:00. On Sundays, shopping centers are open, some clothing stores are open until 13:00. Products on Sunday can be purchased at shopping malls until 15:00 hours.

Demography

The demographic situation in the country is rather complicated. First of all, it is related to the problem widespread AIDS on the territory of South Africa. Because of this disease, the death rate here for a long time exceeded the birth rate. This problem has now been resolved. Thus, last year there was a small population growth, amounting to 0.8%. White population in South Africa steadily declining. This is due to their emigration to America and European countries. In addition, it also happens black influx from the neighboring state of Zimbabwe.

Industry

The main industries in South Africa are: mining industry, energy,mechanical engineering, metallurgy and telecommunications.mining industry played an important role in the development of the South African economy. However, in last years its importance has been greatly reduced. Currently, its products account for only about 7% of GDP. Today it employs about 500 thousand people.

Energy share in the country's economy is quite large and amounts to 15% of GDP. South Africa is ranked 16th in terms of energy consumption. Currently, about 250 thousand people work at the country's energy enterprises. The pace of energy production is growing every year. There are many enterprises with energy-intensive production in the country.

The increase in energy production is achieved through the use of new technologies and new raw materials. But until now, the main component of the country's energy sector is coal. There is a lot of coal in South Africa and it is easily available for mining and processing. For this reason, energy in the country is quite cheap.

Recently, several hydropower complexes and enterprises that use nuclear energy.

mechanical engineering is also very important in the country's economy. Its basis is automotive and machine tool enterprises. The centers of the automotive industry in South Africa are considered to be such cities as: Port Elizabeth, Eitenhach, Cape Town, East London, Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria.

South Africa today has the largest number cars all over the continent. In terms of the number of cars per capita, the country is in the top twenty. There is 1 car for 12 people.

There are also many companies in South Africa that produce maritime and rivercourt, aircraft, railway wagons and locomotives, accessories and a number of special devices.

Flora and fauna

Animal world countries are quite diverse. About 6% of all animals on our planet live in South Africa. In only one National Park, the Kruger lives about 33 species amphibians, 114 types reptile, 147 species animals and 507 species birds.

Common in South Africa antelopes, zebras, giraffes, jackals, hyenas, hippos crocodiles and cheetahs. Also inhabited here black and white rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants and buffaloes. South Africa is one of the few countries that has managed to avoid the complete extermination of rhinos. Restored in South Africa and population wild dog. The marine life of South Africa is presented whales, sharks and extensive colonies of seals.

South Africa is home to 7% of the world's birds. There are about 900 species of them in the country. live here ostriches, royal eagles, penguin colonies, flocks of seabirds. Found here and very rare. blue crane.

Flora South Africa is also very rich. 8% of all world plants grow in the country. About 80% of them are found nowhere else on the planet. " Path of gardens"in the Western Cape is one of the most beautiful spectacles in the world. Protea is the symbol of the country.

In the semi-desert Northern Cape, a type of vegetation is mainly distributed, called " punishment". It is a low grass cover, low shrubs and succulent plants.

Thickets of shrubs with sparse trees and an abundance of grass are called bushveld. This type of vegetation is common in the northwestern part of the Central Plateau and further to the east of the country. The main components of the bushveld are shrub and tree forms acacias, giant baobabs and mopane. The arid Northwest Province is covered in thorny shrubs, grasses, and solitary trees. Shrub vegetation prevails in the Cape region fynbos or macchia.

In the southern and southeastern coastal regions, remnants of primary forests have been preserved in places. Shrub thickets predominate at low altitudes. Grow at high altitudes herbage from high grains. Along the coast there are dense forests of stunted trees. There are also palm trees, bananas and Mimusops obovate. Grows in river mouths mangroves.

Banks and money

The most convenient mode of transport for movement around the country is considered Personal car. The total length of the country's highways is over 206,000 km. About 60 thousand km of them have a hard surface.

In South Africa, tourists can take car for rent. It's very simple. The driver for this must be at least 23 years old. With me necessary have a valid international driver's license with a photo.

In South Africa there are two types of taxi. Travel in big cities ordinary taxis with a meter. They are quite expensive. You can't catch a taxi on the street, a car need order by phone. You can also wait for a taxi at special parking lots, but there are not many of them. exist in the country and fixed-route taxis. They are cheaper, but have a lower degree of safety and comfort. Vote in cities and on the road not accepted.

In South Africa is absent well-developed public transport system. All cities have municipal buses. They run according to the approved schedule until a certain hour. The schedule of these buses is quite irregular. It is especially problematic to wait for them on weekends and holidays. There are no such buses in small towns. The total length of railways in South Africa is about 31.7 thousand km.

The country has 9 major airports. International airports are located in cities such as: Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.The biggest- in Johannesburg. All airports are connected with the center and major hotels by bus lines. Doing international transport five major companies

The basis of agriculture country is agriculture. Only about 22% of the territory can potentially be used for cultivation of agricultural crops. In South Africa, there are security problems fresh water. Its resources are small, but the need for fresh water is growing every year. Despite all this, agriculture in South Africa continues to develop.

The main crops of southern Africa aregrain crops (corn, wheat), are also grown here. different types fruits, grapes and sugar cane.

In animal husbandry most developed meat and dairy production. It is practiced in the north and east of the Free State province, in the interior of Hoteng province, and it is also common in the southern part of Mpumalanga province. Meat breeds predominate in the Northern and Eastern Cape. In the drylands of the Northern and Eastern Cape, the Free State and Mpumalanga, bredsheep. Country actively exports astrakhan.

Large quantities are bred in South Africa and angora goats. The country accounts for 50% of the world's mohair production. also common here Boer goat breed, her bred for meat.

poultry farming and pig breeding in South Africa, they are common on farms near large cities: Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.

In the province of the Free State in recent years, the beginning of developing ostrich breeding. South Africa gradually continues to increase export of meat, leather and feathers of this bird.

In a restaurant, tips are usually 10-12% of the total cost of the order. This amount includes drinks. Porters accepted give from 2 to 5 rand per piece of luggage. Guide and driver usually leave 15 - 20 rand per day per person.

National Features

There is some differencein the rules of greeting between white and black South Africans. In white culture accepted so that the younger one greets the older one first. In black culture, the opposite is true - the younger must wait for the older to greet him.

South Africans of English descent and black South Africans during a conversation don't look point-blank at the interlocutor. This is counts indecent and perceived as aggressive. But the Afrikaners accepted constantly look the interlocutor in the eyes. If the interlocutor often looks away, then this may be perceived as a manifestation of insincerity or dishonesty.

Never it is forbidden shake your left hand when communicating with blacks and Muslims (Indians or colored people). Left hand in African and Muslim culture is considered unclean.

Black South Africans give and receive gifts two hands. This is how they express their special respect and show gratitude.

Afrikaners are generally more conservative than English-speaking South Africans. This is especially true of issues of race relations and family relations. The younger ones quite often can use the words " uncle" and " uncle". This applies not only to appeals to relatives, but also to strangers who are older than the speaker.

South Africans during a conversation trying not to let long pauses. Such pauses usually make them uncomfortable. But excessive assertiveness when conducting business negotiations with South Africans is also not needed.

In public places, black South Africans speak quite loudly, which is unusual for the white population. This is due to the traditions that have developed in their culture. They are considered to speak softly when they speak badly about someone.

South Africans have some typical gestures which we do not understand. Waving in front of the face with crossed palms turned inward means " complete lack of understanding».

And a slightly raised hand with a palm down, which moves from side to side, means " screwed up, screwed up».

White South Africans are distinguished by their great punctuality. Here, usually the date and time of the visit are negotiated a few days in advance. If an urgent meeting is needed, then you need to call and explain the reason for it.

For business or just friendly meetings accepted arrive on time. Even a slight delay of 10 minutes can ruin your relationship with South Africans. This is due to the fact that among white South Africans, being late to meetings and breaking an agreement is associated with black behavior.

Electricity

Tap water in almost all major cities and most reserves in the country is purified and safe for drinking.

The country has developed system of medical control and service. However, a unified health insurance system is absent.

First health care turns out for free. All further treatment will be paid and it will be very expensive.

A very big problem in South Africa is the massive distribution HIV infections. Mostly blacks are affected.

Course work
in the discipline "Socio-economic geography of foreign countries"

"Socio-economic situation of the Republic of South Africa"

1st year student
Department of Customs
Safonenko N. A.

Supervisor:
Senior Lecturer of the Department of International Tourism
Poleshchuk N.I.

Minsk
2010
Content
Introduction……………………..……………………………. .............................. ....3
Chapter 1. General characteristics, characteristics of the resources and population of South Africa
1.1 “Business card”……………………….………………………………………..4
1.2 Form of the State……………………………………………………………..5
1.3 Economic and geographical position of the country ..........................................................6
1.4 Economic assessment of natural conditions and resources…………………. 6
1.5 Population geography……………………………………………………… . 8
Chapter 2 Economic characteristic South Africa
2.1 General characteristics of the economic complex of the country……..……..1 2
2.2 Geography of means of communication and transport…… ………………………... 17
2.3 Foreign economic relations of the country…………………………………… 18
Conclusion …………..……………………………………………….………22
References…………………………………………………………...24
Appendix………................. ............................. ..................................................................25

Introduction
The Republic of South Africa is a state located at the southern tip of the African continent. In the north it borders on Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, in the northeast on Mozambique and Swaziland. The state of Lesotho is completely surrounded by the territory of South Africa. South Africa is one of the most developed countries on the African continent. The country has rich mineral resources, and is also the most economically developed on the continent and has a relatively strong global position Thanks to the mining of diamonds and gold, the economy of South Africa is booming, and infrastructure and services are at high level. Today, South Africa is one of the most promising markets among all third world countries. South Africa is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in Africa, and has the largest proportion of white, Indian and mixed populations on the continent. The object of study of the course work is the regional economy of South Africa. The relevance of the work lies in the fact that South Africa can become an important partner for many countries in the future. South Africa is in this moment an actively developing country with a high economic potential, since after the abolition of apartheid, the international community removed barriers, and in South Africa, for a long time cut off from the world community, a flow of investments and technologies began to flow. The purpose of the work: to determine the place of South Africa in the global economy. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to solve the following tasks: - give a natural and economic assessment of natural conditions and resources; - to study the socio-economic situation of the population; - assess the economic complex of the country; - to characterize the non-manufacturing sphere of South Africa; - to analyze the foreign economic relations of South Africa.

General characteristics, characteristics of resources and population of South Africa

1.2 Shape of the state
According to the Constitution of the country, adopted by the Parliament on May 8, 1996, South Africa is a unitary republic with elements of federalism. The 9 provinces that make up the country (KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Mpumalanga, Gdateng, Free State, Orange Northern Province and North Western Province) are endowed with extensive powers, including legislative autonomy. Legislative power at the national level is vested in a bicameral Parliament, consisting of the National Council of Provinces (upper house, 90 people elected by 10 from each provincial legislature) and the National Assembly (lower house, 400 people elected on the basis of proportional representation). Joint sessions of both chambers of Parliament form the Constitutional Assembly. The term of office of the National Assembly is 5 years. The head of state and government (executive power), as well as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces is the President. He is elected by the National Assembly from among its members for a term of 5 years. No one can be President more than 2 times. The current president of South Africa is Jacob Zuma. The highest court is the Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice. The Supreme Court consists of the Court of Appeal, provincial and local courts. Each district and district within the province has a magistrate's court with clear jurisdiction in criminal and civil matters. Each of the nine provinces has its own legislature with between 30 and 100 members, depending on population. They are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation. The provincial legislature has the power to draft a provincial constitution, which must comply with the basic principles of the country's constitution, and to elect a prime minister, the head of government. The African National Congress of South Africa is the country's leading party. Other parties: National Party, Conservative Party, Democratic Party, South African Communist Party, etc. South Africa is a member of the UN (since 1945), OAU (since 1994).

1.3 Economic and geographical position of the country
South Africa occupies a middle position between developing and developed countries, it is rich in resources, has a well-developed legal system, financial, communications, energy and transport sectors, a stock exchange, which is one of the ten largest in the world, and a modern infrastructure that ensures efficient exchange of goods between the main centers of the region. However, economic growth was not enough to eliminate unemployment of 28% of the working-age population and the menacing economic problems inherited from the apartheid era, especially poverty and the lack of economic opportunities for the poor. In early 2000, President MBEKI pledged to stimulate economic growth and encourage foreign investment by easing the restrictions imposed by labor laws that also prevent government spending from being cut.
Relative to other countries of Black Africa, South Africa occupies a leading position in economic development. It accounts for 40% of GDP, half of the generated electricity and 95% of the exported finished products of the African continent.
The government is pursuing a policy of actively attracting foreign investment. Since 2000, a program of privatization of state property has been implemented, measures are being taken to reduce government spending, since at the moment they exceed revenues. More than half of government revenue comes from income tax and corporate income tax. 34% of government revenue comes from value added tax and excises.
1.4 Economic assessment of natural conditions and resources
Industry Development Resources
The strong position of South Africa in the world market is determined primarily by the richness of its subsoil. The mining industry plays an important role in the industrial structure of South Africa. This most important industry is distinguished by the extraction of uranium, coal, platinum group metals, diamonds, iron ore, manganese, vanadium, chromites, but gold remains the most strategically important product for South Africa. ? all miners are employed precisely in gold mining. South Africa is the world's largest gold producer, accounting for about 30% of the country's exports.
Gold is mainly mined in the Orange province. In many states, and there are about 50 of them, gold is mined along with uranium. In the second half of the 20th century, when the price of gold was high, South Africa mined up to 1,000 tons noble metal per year, however, by the beginning of the 21st century, following the fall in prices, gold mining also seriously decreased.
South Africa is also one of the world's largest producers and exporters of natural diamonds. More than 10% of diamonds in the world market are mined in South Africa. The Republic of South Africa ranks 7th in the world in terms of coal reserves. Low-grade coals are processed into liquid fuel, which compensates for the lack of own oil in South Africa. Coal is exported to 36 countries of the world.
The main forestry zone is the southern part of the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Natural forests occupy 180,000 hectares, that is, only 0.14% of the country's territory. Most of the commercial wood comes from forest plantations, which cover only 1% of the territory of South Africa. Approximately half of the forest "plantations" are planted with pine, 40% with eucalyptus and 10% with mimosa. Yellow and ebony, Cape laurel, assegai and camassi are also grown. Trees reach marketable condition in an average of 20 years - in contrast to trees growing in the Northern Hemisphere, where this process lasts from 80 to 100 years. The annual volume of wood entering the market is 17 million cubic meters. More than 240 woodworking and timber industry enterprises operate in South Africa.
The inland waters of the country are scarce, and the problem of water resources is very acute. The total flow of all rivers is 52 billion m?, that is, about the same as the Rhine carries in the Rotterdam region. Huge economic importance has the Orange River with a tributary of the Vaal, which crosses the most important economic regions. Underground sources are widely used, as well as sea water is desalinated.
Conditions for agricultural activities
Agricultural productivity in South Africa is low by world standards. This is partly due to primitive methods of cultivating the land. Other factors are soil erosion and insufficient rainfall. Only 12-15% of the land is cultivated in the country, only 10% of them are highly fertile, but even fertile lands are subject to sudden floods and washout of the fertile layer. Soil erosion has reached its greatest extent in the former bantustans. In agricultural areas, droughts are not uncommon, the main reason for unstable harvests in some years. Most of the Central Plateau is short grass steppe, or grassy veld. However, vast areas of this once fertile steppe have been disturbed by severe overgrazing for more than a century, as well as severe erosion caused by ill-conceived crop cultivation. The subsequent degradation of agriculture in this area was accompanied by the penetration of economically low-value plants into the grassy weld.
Recreational resources
The favorable climate of South Africa, its magnificent sea beaches and recreation areas are of great interest to tourists. This country also attracts many attractions, including: the National Park, the House-Museum of the first president of the country, Paulus Kruger, the beautiful zoo - in Pretoria, Fort Fredericks (1799), the aquarium - in Port Elizabeth, the castle built by the Dutch (1665 g.), the Old Town Hall (1755), the Reformed Church in Cape Town (1669), etc. Every year, about 7 million tourists visit South Africa. Until the early 90s, when the country was ruled by a white minority regime, only the most desperate adventurers dared to visit it. But with the weakening of the apartheid system, the flow of foreign visitors began to grow rapidly. The traditional hospitality of the local population and accommodation that meets international standards, with its relative cheapness, are very attractive to tourists. Foreign capital actively contributes to the rapid expansion of the tourism industry.
1.5 Population geography
Formation of the modern population. Its racial, ethnic and national composition.
The most numerous race is blacks (79%). The indigenous people of South Africa are the Bushmen and the Huttentots. They inhabited the territory of South Africa long before the appearance of other peoples there. The largest South African nation today is the Zulu, or Zulus (10 million people). Also large in number are the Xoza (7.2 million people), northern and southern Sothos (6 million people), Tsavana (3 million people), Tsonga (1.8 million people), Swazi (1. 2 million people), Ndebele (0.6 million people), Venda (0.9 million people).
The second largest group of peoples inhabiting South Africa are whites (about 4.6 million people - 9.1% of the population). They live mainly in large cities. There are two main groups of the white population of South Africa - Afrikaners and Anglophones. Afrikaners are descendants of Dutch settlers. The Afrikaner language is Afrikaans. Anglophones are Africans of British origin. The language is South African English. A significant number of descendants of other nationalities live in South Africa: 600 thousand Portuguese, 80 thousand Greeks, 60 thousand Italians, 7 thousand French. The Jewish community is 120 thousand people.
The third largest group of South Africans - mulattos and mestizos - "colored" (4 million people). Most of them are descendants of slaves brought to South Africa over many centuries ..
A special group is made up of Indians (about 1 million people) - the descendants of Indians who arrived in 1860 to work on sugar canes. Most of them still live in KwaZulu Natal. They are mainly engaged in trade.
South Africa has 11 official languages: Afrikaans, English, Ndebe, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhoza, Zulu.
The most common religion is Christianity (77% of the population), predominantly Protestantism. 19.8% of the population are adherents of traditional cults. 3.2% are adherents of such religions as Hinduism, Islam, Judaism.
Vital movement of the population
The total population of South Africa is 44 million people. Population estimates should take into account the high mortality rate, especially among newborns, and low life expectancy. The birth rate in 2007 was 17.9‰ and the death rate was 22.4‰. The average life expectancy is about 48 years. However, for the white population, this figure is much higher. Child mortality: 6 cases per 100 newborns.

Sex and age composition of the population
The age structure of the population: up to 14 years old - 29.1%, from 15 to 64 people - 65.5%, over 65 years old - 5.4% (2007 data).
Sex ratio. The number of male population under 1 year old is related to the number of female population of the same age as 102 to 100. In other words, the number of male and female births is approximately equal. At the age of up to 15 years, the ratio changes slightly: there are 101 girls for every 100 boys. AT age period the number of men decreases from 15 to 64: for every 100 women there are 93 men.
Migrations
The Republic of South Africa, as the richest country on the continent, has long been a center of attraction for migrants, mainly from Mozambique, Angola and other neighboring countries. The main number of migrants was employed in the coal mining industry. After the South African policy of reducing dependence on labor migrants, the share of foreign workers in the total number of all workers employed in the coal industry decreased from 77% to 40% in the period from 1970 to 1980. In recent years, the influx of unregistered labor migrants from neighboring states has increased. In the past, due to immigration, there was an increase in the European and Asian population in South Africa, but since the 1960s. outside inflows have declined. In the 1990s the positive balance of migrations was 5-6 thousand people per year. Migrants from poorer countries are valuable to employers in that they accept lower wages than local workers. Farmers willingly hire foreigners to work on harvesting. Zambians are invited to the position of employees, who are well trained in economic specialties in their country. At the moment, the number of illegal migrants in South Africa, according to various estimates, ranges from 2 to 8 million people.
The current problem in South Africa is high unemployment among unskilled workers. From this it should be obvious that South Africa does not need unskilled personnel. In South Africa, there is an acute shortage of workers in such a profile as a radio technician, programmer, car mechanic, adjusters and assemblers of various equipment, people who can simply use a computer. However, many whites immigrate from the country due to the presence of crime. Official statistics do not provide information on racial composition. emigrants, but various studies suggest that whites leave South Africa only slightly more readily than blacks. Most African countries will find it difficult to attract specialists from abroad. But South Africa, with its developed economy, undoubtedly has a much better chance in the international labor market.
Urbanization and rural areas
The process of industrialization entailed a rapid increase in the urban population in the post-war years. Mining centers are growing, both the old ones - the cities of the Witwatersrand and the new ones: Phalaborwa, Saishen, Priska, etc. They owe their rapid growth to a large extent to the immigration of the African and "colored" population. A significant number of Africans living in cities and industrial centers are temporary residents who, when they lose their ability to work or the end of their contract, return to where they came from.
South Africa is dominated by small towns with a population of 2,000 to 10,000 people. According to existing legislation, cities here are considered to be all settlements that have local city government in one form or another. Among the main shortcomings of the current urban development in South Africa are low density development, the predominance of free-standing buildings and the presence of large land reserves between them. According to statistics, at the moment 51% of the population lives in cities and 49% in countryside. In agriculture, about 1.4 million black laborers are hired annually by white farmers, whose working day lasts 12-17 hours a day, and wages do not provide a living wage.
Labor resources and employment of the population
According to the 2006 census, the unemployment rate in South Africa was 34%. Most of the unemployed were in the provinces of the Northern Cape and Northern (over 45%), the least - in the Western Cape (18%). Unemployment rates vary widely across racial groups. The black unemployment rate was 52.4% for women and 34.1% for men, with an average of 42.5%. In comparison, unemployment rates among other racial groups ranged from 4.2% for white men to 24.1% for women of color. Of the almost 44 million inhabitants of South Africa, more than 15 million are self-employed. Its number increases annually by approximately 2.5%. Since 1973, the number of jobs has been steadily declining. The number of people employed in the mining industry and retail trade is rapidly declining. Some growth in the number of jobs occurs in the manufacturing industry and the trade in vehicles.
Conclusion: The Republic of South Africa occupies a middle position between developing and developed countries. Not the most favorable conditions for agriculture are compensated by the richness of the subsoil. South Africa can be called a multi-ethnic state, since quite a lot of nationalities live on its territory. Regarding the age structure of the population, it can be said that the death rate exceeds the birth rate. Thus, the population is aging. More than a third of the working-age population is unemployed, which indicates a low standard of living.
2. Economic characteristics of South Africa

General characteristics of the economic complex of the country