Cape Town. - These are legislative capital South Africa, location of the South African Parliament. In addition to Cape Town, South Africa has two more official capital: administrative - Pretoria and judicial - Bloemfontein. Starting from its foundation in 1652 to the present day, Cape Town went away from a small wooden fort to a huge modern metropolis with a population of about four million people. The history and sights of the city had an impact of its advantageous geographical location, because coordinates of Cape Town (Latitude 33 ° 55 '33 "S and longitude 18 ° 25' 23" E) are located on the border of two oceans - Atlantic and Indian.

The modern South African Republic is the most multi-cellional and economically developed country of Africa. South Africa is the only African country in the G20.

Dining Mountain - Cape Town began here

In 1503, the Portuguese navigator Antoniou de Sidenha, who flooded to India, could not understand with the help of observations and maps, he encouraged Cape of Good Hope, or still in the Atlantic Ocean. To decide, he rose to a flat mountain of height near a kilometer that prevailed over the coastal landscape. In the course of his climb, he not only saw that the desired cape was in the south, but also discovered several sources of water.

The place was really unique. Dining Mountain - such a name gave her Saldania - closed the comfortable bay from the wind, provided an excellent review and could supply settlers and expeditions with water and the province.

In addition, the bay, which was also called the dining room, was approximately halfway between Europe and India, from where they were drilled in the old world. The place to replenish the reserves of food, water and seafarers was just perfect.

None of the European powers have no resources for a long time in order to establish in place, where is Cape Town, full-fledged settlement. Only in 1652, the Dutch, and more precisely their Ost-India Company, built at the foot of the dining area of \u200b\u200bthe Fort, who gave rise to Cape Town, at first called Cottadt.

Now there are not only a few sufficiently comfortable pedestrian trail on the dining room, but also the cable car. Mountain, in fact, representing a plateau of about three kilometers long, attracts tourists with stunning views of Cape Town and the adjacent part of the ocean. In addition, there are many beautiful representatives of the flora on its slopes, some of which are found only in these places.

Castle of good hope

An enterprising Dutch after 15 years rebuilt a non-pieces wooden fort in a full defensive structure. They called his castle of good hope, however, he was far from a full castle.

Gradually, the castle lost his defensive importance and over time came into decay. Only in the 20th century he received the status of the monument of the antiquity. In 1992, a large-scale reconstruction was carried out. After her, the castle of good hopes acquired its original look. Now there are impressive collections of old weapons, furniture, dishes and art gallery.

There are even your own ghosts. The legends are about them to rise to those times when the cellas of the castle served as a prison for the most dangerous drills who fought with the British.

Robben Island

The block of land is a slice of just over 5 square meters. km, located 12 kilometers from Cape Town, first was famous as a thunderstorm of shipping. Powerful waves threw ships on his melons, like shells. And if in other places the sailors could be hoped to be held with the meli during the tide, then in the vicinity of Robben, the ships were doomed - they were broken in a matter of hours.

The deserted island was ideally suited to create a prison, and people at all times did not pass by such places. The Dutch did not even stop the lack of water - already in the 18th century, they began to bring over the robben oppositionists from other colonies. In the 19th century, those who captured Cape Town were also pleased to be sent to the island of boots. Already after the formation of South Africa on the island, a prison was built an extremely strict regime, for which the water was carried out from Cape Town. Almost 20 years in prison on the island of Robben held the legendary Nelson Mandela.Now the island turned into a reserve, to which the ferry goes from Cape Town.

Museum "Gold Africa"

One of the most important milestones in the development of Cape Town was the gold fever of the second half of the 19th century. Gold mined pretty far in the depths of the continent, but due to the fact that the city was the largest port and administrative capital, the gold river flowed almost exclusively through it. Back to the mountains went tools, equipment and products, even more increasing the incomes of the largest city of South Africa. According to some estimates, a third of the world existing in the world has been retrieved from South African subsoil.

The Museum "Gold Africa" \u200b\u200bis a kind of monument to the epoch, which in Cape Town from around the world who wanted to instantly get rich. The museum is located in a renovated building of the construction of the end of the 18th century. In addition to the exhibits relating to the Golden Fever period, gold products created in African kingdoms starting from the 2nd millennium BC. In the building of the Museum of the store you can buy gilded copies of exhibits and original trinkets.

Caves Kango

The territorial Cabo caves are quite far from Cape Town, but their visit is included in the mandatory acquaintance program with the South African capital. This geological formation was open at the end of the 18th century. With the development of South Africa, the cave has become a popular attraction and already in 1820 were taken under the protection of the British colonial administration - visitors actively disassembled stalagmites and stalactites Cabo caves for souvenirs.

Now organized tourists are available two routes. Simple lasts about an hour. During this time, the excursion passes on six spacious chairs. Its highlight is an organ hall - a huge cave, the rear wall of which is really very similar to the organ. Those who wish to rinse their nerves can go through the adventure route. They will have to be made through narrow lassels and, among other things, on the corridor with the promising name "damn chimney".

Bo KAEAP or Malay Quarter

Although racial segregation was formally legalized only in the 20th century, cape Town city In South Africa could be considered an illustration of this concept at least in the century earlier. The city is quite clearly divided into white, colored and black areas. In the Malay Quarter, or Bo-Kaama, the descendants of mixed marriages have long arranged. Gradually formed a very colorful area. Asian artisans and their descendants built the same type of houses that differ only in the color of the outer walls. The mosques are tested over residential quarters, the oldest of which was built in the middle of the 19th century.

Cancellation of segregation has become a serious test for the Malay Quarter. His proximity to the center of Cape Town (the area is located between the center and the dining area) made real estate attractive to investments. Modern buildings began to appear in the area. Most likely, after a few decades with architecture and life of Bo-kapa, it will be possible to familiarize themselves with the museum located here.

Cape Town modern

Modern Cape Town is by no means a historical monument. Soft climate, warm ocean, cozy bays and excellent tourism infrastructure will attract millions of tourists to the southern tip of Africa. Diving, marine excursions, hiking in the mountains and trips along the wine farms are very popular in Cape Town and the surrounding area. Migrants from Holland and France managed to remove local grapes, wines from which are not inferior to the best samples of world winemaking.

The center of evening life in Cape Town is T. N. "VERTERFERT". This is the shortened name of the Victoria and Alfred embankment (English. Victoria & Alfred Waterfront). There are luxury shops, restaurants, theaters, nightclubs and pearls of entertainment Cape Town - "Aquarium of two oceans". It consists of three dozen pools in which representatives of the Water World and the Atlantic, and Indian Oceans live. The raisins of the aquarium are considered a huge 11-meter glowing inside the cylinder and the artificial portion of the beach on which seals and penguins live.

In antiquity, the territory of South Africa was settled by Bushmen, Gottentotes and Peoples Bantu. The country's colonization began in 1488 after the opening of the southern tip of Africa. White population of South Africa - descendants of the Dutch. All countries of Africa, except Ethiopia, were for some time European colonies. The independence of the country from the UK was obtained in 1910.

Since 1948, apartheid has become the official policy of the country, providing for separate training, accommodation, recreation and other types of services for the White and Black population. The apartheid system ceased to exist only in 1990. Change has begun in the country: there were free elections, the name and flag of the state changed, African languages \u200b\u200brecognized by state. But the gap in the levels of life of the white and black population exists so far.

Interestingly, until 1990, South Africa remained the only country in Africa, which had his own colony - Namibia.

South Africa is one of the richest minerals of the regions. Gold, platinum, coal - are actively mined in South Africa. De Birscu monitors the 90% of the global diamond raw materials market.

South Africa borders in northwest with Namibia, north with Botswana and Zimbabweand in the northeast is adjacent to Mozambique. On the territory of the country there are independent mountain kingdoms Swaziland. and Lesotho.

South Africa is divided into Nine provinces: Eastern Cape, Howeng, Free State, Kuzalu-Natal, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, West Cape, North-West and Limpopo.

Capital	Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial)
Number of population	49 991 300 people.
	1 219 912 km 2
Population density	41 people / km 2
	english, Afrikaans, Spit, Zulu, Sosto, Venda, Tsvan, Pedi, Tsong, Shahangan and Naddeel
Religion	christianity
Form of government	parliamentary republic
	south African Rand
Timezone
International Area Code
Domain zone on the Internet
Electricity

Climate and weather

Comfortable temperature in South Africa is held all year round, so the weather does not deliver inconvenience, whatever time you arrive.

Remember that in the South and Northern Hemispheres seasons are opposite. Autumn and winter here last from March to August, and spring and summer - the rest of the year.

In the summer, it is usually worth the heat with plenty of rain. The average precipitation ranges between 414 mm in Kimberly and 1000 mm in Durban. Winter, mostly sunny. The average temperature during the year can fluctuate from +16 ° C. In winter in Cape Town - up +33 ° C. In the summer in Kimberly.

Nature

The territory of South Africa is wildlife in its original form. Hot air desert, majestic mountains, mysterious caves and grottoes, magnificent beaches - all this you will find in the country of bright paints and unforgettable impressions.

South Africa is located near the very edge of the African continent. It is washed by two oceans: from the West Atlanticand from the east - Indian.

Most of the country's surface is raised above sea level on 1000 M. and more. The relief is dominated by the plain plateau. The highest part of the country in the east and south is formed Dragon and Cape Mountains. The first is separated by the coastal plain from the high-altitude plateau, the second is the coastal areas of the South South Africa from arid areas. Highest point - Katkain-Peak. (3375 m) is in the dragon mountains.

Surchase to the boundaries of Namibia and Botswana Areas of South Africa occupies a desert Kalahari.. In the central part there are semi-deserts.

Main water arteries - rivers Orange and Limpopo.. The canyon of the Blide River ranks third in the magnitude of the world and is the only one, the slopes of which are covered with vegetation.

sights

There are many places in South Africa who can interest the traveler: from shopping and entertainment complexes and restaurants to African markets, theaters. And museums will help better understand the history of the country.

Johannesburg - the largest city of the country, " JOSO.", As its locals call him. It offers a wide variety of opportunities for any guest.

Be sure to raise on DotnaeThis can be done on foot or on a funicular. Choose any option, a stunning view of the capetown coast will cost the effort spent.

Visit Cape Point - One of the most beautiful planets planets. This is the place where there are two oceans, Indian and Atlantic.

A lot of popularity is very popular Robben Island - Former prison, and now the museum in which during the years of apartheid was located Nelson Mandela.

Go to Kimberley - the capital of Northern Cape, " city of diamond"- To see the deepest man-made pitfall, formed as a result of diamond mining.

Want to learn more about culture zulusov? Then you just need to visit the province Quantula Natal. Go to a consultation to traditional Hilera and appreciate the rhythmic gerus dances in the Kingdom of Zulus.

Beach holiday lovers can also safely buy a ticket to South Africa. Rest will not disappoint! Durban - Paradise place for holidays. Luxury hotels, apartments overlooking the Indian Ocean and the Beach "Golden Mile" - here are the constituent of a great stay. And at the foot Dining Mountain One of the most beautiful beaches in the province of Western Cape - " Clifton Beach».

And, of course, the most valuable thing that South Africa can offer - National parks. National park Kruger Received wide fame due to animals from the "Big Five". He is the main reserve of Africa with a territory of almost two million hectares. The park is an ideal place for bird lovers. Also here you can meet animals under the threat of extinction.

Food

It is unlikely that anyone deems the kitchen of South Africa boring and monotonous. It mixed up various traditions: Africans, drills, Indians and Malaysians. Whatever you order, everything will be very different from what they tried before. Immerse yourself in the world of amazing tastes and flavors!

An integral part of local cuisine - meat dishes. " Bracelomethi-inland»- Traditionally prepared vegetables with meat - a dish that can be rolled only in South Africa. But the tradition of the barbecue came along with immigrants. Burvorks, chops and bifhtesses are prepared on open fire or coals.

Fans of extreme exotic can be recommended various dishes from worms or insects: " mashonzh», « Ksi fu well well», « tzuku».

It is worth trying the favorite dish of Nelson Mandela - " unngkusho"- stew from crushed corn grains, sweet beans, potatoes, butter, onion, lemon and red pepper.

One of the best places to get acquainted with the kitchen South Africa is traditional " shibins"(Pubs) where you can taste local dishes and beer.

The most popular drink in South Africa is undoubtedly ginger beer.. It is written in the villages everywhere. Local stamps are very common:

• Castle;
• Sabmiller;
• Hansa;
• § Castle Milk Stout;
• Black Label.

You can find imported varieties, for example, Grolsch, Stella Artois or beer. WindHoeek. From Namibia.

South Africa is also famous for its red wines. Western province is a country of winemaking and excellent wines, known to the whole world. You will have the opportunity to visit the wine cellar, hear fascinating stories and, of course, to taste the best wines. The cost of the bottle of wine in South African stores is average 5-7,5 $ .

Lunch in an inexpensive cafe will cost approximately 10 $ , and in the middle class restaurant - in 14-23 $ .

Accommodation

Enjoy holidays in South Africa: Unmatched species, ocean breathing and noise of waves rolling on white sand beach, warming sun rays - and all this with high-quality service.

In this country there are accommodation options for every taste - from simple guest houses to luxury hotels in the picturesque resorts, from small private hotels to Spa Sanatoriums.

In the village Pilgrims REST, a peculiar living museum, you can spend the night in the real hotel of prospectors who once mined gold here.

Prices in hotels will be available on any wallet and fluctuate from 11 $ before 860 $ .

If funds are limited, then only for 6 $ you can stay in a youth hostel or camping. As a rule, tourists during safari are placed in camping.

A large selection of accommodation types is provided in the south of the country: from hostels to expensive hotels. But in the north will have to choose between a small hotel and the villa.

From October to February in South Africa, the tourist season, at this time about hotel armor is better to take care in advance.

Entertainment and recreation

In South Africa, there is all: from jumping with the highest in the world "Tarzanka" in Gaden Ruth to diving in the ocean; Rock climbing, alloys on rafts on stormy rivers and hiking in the most beautiful places in the world. Go down on the rope with Dining Mountain, fly on Deltaplane in Magalisburg, fly on a balloon over the National Park Pilanesberg - Allow yourself an unforgettable vacation at South Africa resorts!

Bala Bal. - The resort town is famous for its thermal sources. By the way, its name is translated as "independently boiling water."

IN San City. You are waiting for beaches, pools with artificial waves, water rides, golf sits, and many other entertainment.

Port Elizabeth Located in a fourth place in the list of cities with the most favorable climate conditions. This is a great place to walk on kayaks and windsurfing.

And do not forget that all the traditional objects of foreign tourism in South Africa are national parks. Meeting with an elephant in the national reserve "Addo" or one of the representatives of the big five in the national park Kruger Leaves unforgettable impressions. What animals enter the "big five"? This is a rhino, an elephant, buffalo, leopard and lion, which are named so because of their sizes and hunting value.

Purchases

While in South Africa and with sufficient money, you can afford unusual purchases. Local manufacturers produce and implement high quality luxury items. Very expensive, but still enjoy the constant popularity among tourists jewelry from diamonds and leather crocodile products.

Things of various quality levels made by the arms of local artisans are sold everywhere. Here you will find clay dishes and wooden masks, figures of people and animals, as well as multicolored textile fabrics and souvenirs embroidered with beads.

Shopping centers in big cities ( Johannesburg, Kimberly, Pretoria) Offer a wide selection of European clothes, shoes and accessories.

Shops are usually open from 8:30 to 17:00 on weekdays and from 08:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays. Many trade centers are not closed on Sundays.

Currency exchange points are open from Monday to Friday to 17:00.

Transport

In South Africa, there are three international airports - in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.. The main passenger traffic serves Johannesburg Airport. From the airport to the destination can be reached by special buses with the ACSA logo.

Road roads associate most of the settlements. Air, railway and bus routes pass through the main centers of the country.

Trains in South Africa are divided into classes depending on the level of comfort:

• Cars with seats ( Sitter Coach.);
• 4-bed coupe with bedrooms (Sleeper-4.);
• 6-bedded coupe with bedrooms (Sleeper-6.).

The price of tickets for international buses exceeds the fare by train. Comfortable buses, air conditioning. Tickets are sold at the ticket office of the bus station.

Tourists are recommended to use a taxi, because public transport in South Africa does not correspond to the criteria for security and comfort. Taxi can be ordered by phone or found on special parking. Catch a taxi on the street is not the best idea, you can run into trouble.

Communication

Telephone communication in South Africa is highlighted at a high level. Telephone machines work both with coins and cards. Nominal cards from R10 to R200, you can buy them in post offices and in large stores. You can also make a call from phone centers where you can pay cash service. International conversations are cheaper after 20:00 on weekends.

Mobile communications on the territory of the country of the GSM 900/1800 standard. Buy a SIM card and call on local tariffs is much cheaper than connecting international roaming. It is necessary to register your mobile phone at the entrance to the country, otherwise it will be blocked. Main mobile operators in South Africa: Vodacom, MTN, Cell C. Purchase Prepaid cards of these networks in shopping centers and large cities stores.

The cost of one minute of conversation through local mobile communications is 0,2-0,4 $ .

Almost in any city can easily find an Internet cafe. In hotels, restaurants and airports there are Wi-Fi access points.

Safety

About the level of crime in the country can be judged at least from the sight of the streets in the cities, such a number of multi-level fences around the houses you have hardly seen before.

Do not leave a manual stall and valuable things. When driving on the car, keep closed windows and doors. At night, move only on the lit streets.

Before traveling to South Africa, take care of his health.

• First, you need to do yellow fever vaccination. It is valid for 10 years.
• Secondly, in some areas there are risk of infection malaria. Since there is no vaccination from it, you will have to resort to special pills. Take them follows the following scheme: Tablet a week before the trip, tablet on the day of arrival, then on one tablet every week staying in the country.
• It is also simply necessary to protect against insect bites: closed clothes, the use of flights and grids, the use of repellents.

Be careful with swimming in freshwater reservoirs: To avoid infection with lichen diseases, it is recommended to swim only in chlorinated swimming pools.

South Africa - country with left-sided road movement. The main highways are in good condition. There are paid roads, you can pay for the passage in special machines at the entrance. Maximum allowed speed on the roads is no more 60 km / h in cities I. 120 km / h - on motorways.

Penalties for violation of road rules and speeding in South Africa is much lower than in Europe. There are many camcorders on the roads, so if you do not see a police room nearby, this does not mean that the violation will remain unnoticed.

For controlling the vehicle in a drunk you threaten to 5 years prisons.

Business climate

South Africa constantly increases the number of agreements in order to avoid dual taxation. Companies are taxed 35 % Only from the income received in the country. VAT rate is 14 % .

Foreign visitors with business and commercial purposes prevail in Johannesburg. The second most important center of business tourism is Cape Town..

The largest exhibition centers:

• CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTER in Cape Town;
• Sandton Convention Center. in Johannesburg;
• TSHWANE EXPEDITION CENTRE In Pretoria.

Durban - A great place to hold conferences. International Center of Congresses and Neighboring Exhibition Center Durban can accommodate up to 15,000 people.

The property

The demand for real estate in South Africa is constantly growing. There is nothing surprising in this, because the ratio of quality and price is local real estate - one of the most attractive in the world.

The country's real estate market is concentrated in Cape Town. and Johannesburg. The owner of real estate is quite simple, the legislation does not provide any restrictions for foreign citizens. If you wish and the availability of funds, you can become the owner of an apartment or a house, a commercial object or a plot of land.

The cost of renting an apartment in large cities of South Africa begins from 240 $ . House in Johannesburg Square 450 m 2 will cost 280 000 $. The price of the coast is significantly higher. Rent a two-room apartment in the center of Cape Town 730 $ . For renting a house with three bedrooms in a prestigious suburb of Johannesburg will have to pay 3050 $ . Three bedroom house in Cape Town can be removed 3050 $ .

Best patience - flight to South Africa will take about 20 hours.

Let you not scare that in the country of 11 official languages \u200b\u200b- most of the South Africans understand and speak English.

The accepted size of the tip is up to 10% - depending on the level of service.

In the country, it is possible to pay only by the national currency - ranes, dollars in stores take with rare exceptions.

What to wear on safari? Preferably absolute colors in clothing, because any bright and even white can irritate animals. For the same reason, for a while it is worth abandoning perfumery. Do not forget the headdress, sun glasses and sunscreen. Take a slight jacket and trousers - in the evening it can be cool. The repellent will help protect against mosquitoes. Be sure to arm yourself with binoculars and a camera for unforgettable pictures.

Keep in mind that the sockets in the country are three-stitching.

Visa

Citizens of the Russian Federation for a trip to South Africa need an entry visa. When crossing the border, a foreign passport is required, valid at least 30 days after the end of the trip. In addition, the passport should be available in the presence of at least one page for the border crossing stamp.

A visa-free transit passage through the South Africa is allowed only in case of a trip to the third country with a dusting or the same flight. Moreover, the departure from the territory of the country must be carried out directly on the same day.

General information about the Republic of South Africa

Official name - South Africa (South Africa).

Located in southern Africa. Area 1219.9 thousand km2. The population is 43.7 million people. (2002, Evaluation). State languages \u200b\u200b- 11 languages. The capital is Pretoria (800 thousand people, 2001). State party - Freedom Day on April 27 (since 1994). Monetary unit - rand.

A member of 52 international organizations, including the UN (from 1946), AC (from 2000), Sadc (since 1994).

Geography of the Republic of South Africa

Located between 16 ° 24 'and 31 ° East longitude and 22 ° and 34 ° 42' South latitude; In the south is washed by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. In the West to the shores, the cold Bengelskoe flow comes, and in the east - warm Mozambique. Coastline is rough, but there are very comfortable bays. It borders with Namibia in the North-West, Botswana and Zimbabwe in the north, Mozambique and Swaziland in the northeast. Inside South Africa is an enclave - the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Most of the territory is a hilly plateau, originated in the East Dragon Mountains with a height of up to 3000 m, and in southern Kapskim mountains up to 2000 m. The highest point is the mountain of Nieuchi (3408 m) in the dragon mountains. In the north-west, the plateau decreases and goes into the lowland desert of Calahari. The dragons of the mountains are cool break down to the Indian Ocean (big ledge). Between

the coastal lowland is extended by the ocean and the ocean, which in the south passes to the depression large carru, separating the dragons of the mountains from the cap.

The main rivers of South Africa take on the dragon mountains. The longest is the orange river (length - 1860 km, and with the influx of Waal 2,200 km), flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. She is uncomfortable, her mouth sometimes dries. The rivers flowing into the Indian Ocean are not very extended, but full-flow. The largest of them are treated, Great Fish, the tributaries of Limpopo. Limpopo itself flows on the border with Zimbabwe.

The soil is diverse and mostly fertile: red-brown, black, gray-brown, sandy, alluvial, etc.

The vegetation north of 32 ° south latitude is different types of savannah (shrub, steppe, deserted). Gallery tropical forests are preserved along the banks of the rivers. In the south of the country - subtropical forests and evergreen shrubs, and in the northwest - Flora desert. Types of plants are diverse: Baobabs, acacia, iron wood, fragrant tree, male, etc. In artificial landings, eucalyptus and American pine are dominated.

Animal world. Large animals are almost exterminated, southern African endemics disappeared from the face - the Black Lion and Zebra Kvagga. Typically African fauna has been preserved only in reserves, the largest of which is the Kruger National Park. Very diverse world of insects (termites, fly Tsetz), birds (here swallows from Russia).

Subraser is extremely rich in minerals. South Africa takes the 1st place in the world in stocks (T,% of world stocks): manganese ore (12.2 billion, 82%), chromites (3.3 billion, 56%), platinum and platinoids (31 thousand, 69 %), gold (33.7 thousand, 40%), ore vanadium (14 million, 29%), aluminosilicates (37%), fluorite (47.5 million), Corunda (104 million), asbestos (4.3 MUD), some rare earth elements, as well as 1st place in Africa by coal reserves (115 billion tons), uranium oxide, iron ore (9.5 billion tons), titanium (40 million tons), antimony (297 thousand tons ), lead (8.5 million tons), zinc (15.4 million tons), nickel (5.9 million tons), apatite (160 million tons). There are significant diamond deposits (125 million carats of jewelry diamonds), copper, tin, magnesite, silver, aluminum and other minerals. The shelf is open field of natural gas. In South Africa, there is almost everything except oil.

Climate subtropical and only in the extreme north tropical. Average temperatures of summer months + 18 ° - 27 ° C, and winter + 7 ° -15 ° C. The contrasts of temperatures are explained by the latitude difference, the influence of warm and cold oceanic flows, the height difference above sea level. The precipitate is distributed unevenly. In the deserts falls no more than 100 mm per year, and on the coastal strip of the Indian Ocean up to 2000 mm.

Population of the Republic of South Africa

In 1984-2002, the population increased by 30%. Population growth rates in the 1980s. were 2.9%, but then began to gradually decrease, and in con. 1990s. sharply fell; In 2002, experts were evaluated from 0.02 to 1.04% due to AIDS pandemic. Birth rate 20.63%, mortality 18.86%, child mortality 61.78 people. per 1000 newborn (2002).

The average life expectancy (2002) of 45.43 (women - 45.68, men - 45.19). Saint-Aged Structure (2002): 0-14 years - 31.6% (6,943,761 Male and 6,849,745 women), 15-64 years - 63.4% (respectively 13 377 011 and 14,300 850), 65 years and Older - 5% (816 222 and 1 360 069). In 2002, 50% of the population lived in cities and villages. Literacy of the population is 85.5%. Pension age 65 years old.

South Africa is a multiracial state. Four main races - Africans (77%), white (10.7%), Asians (2.6%), Koykoye - Bushmen and Gottentotes (several thousand). In addition, the special ethnic group is methuses - "Colored" (8.8%). The Africans are divided into many ethnic communities, the largest of them: Zulu, Spit, Soto, Tsvan, Swami, Naddeel, Pedi, Tsong, Venda. Two main ethnic groups of Europeans: Afrikaner (descendants of immigrants from Holland and France) and the English population. The main population of Asian origin is Indians, but there are also Malays and the Chinese. The most common languages \u200b\u200bare English, Afrikaans (the language of Afrikaner) and the languages \u200b\u200bof the above-mentioned African ethnic groups.

More than 80% of the population confess Christianity. Other religions - Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and traditional African religions.

History of the Republic of South Africa

Archeology testifies to the settlement of the south of Africa since the time of Paleolithic. In the beginning. 1st thousand AD Throughout the territory of South Africa lived the peoples of Koykoinsky race - Bushmen and Gottentotes. In 1st thousand AD. From the north they invaded the Bantian tribes. The waves of migration flows followed one after another, and to the 17th century. In the south of Africa, the ancestors of the current language families of South and Nguni have already lived. Since 1652, the colonization of the country by Europeans began. The Dutch East Indian company founded the settlement at the Cape of Good Hope, which over time turned into Cape Town. Gradually expanding the borders of the colony, called the cap, the Dutch captured the lands of Gottentotov, creating slaveholders. Already in the 18th century The Dutch, mixed with emigrants from other European countries, began to call themselves boots, and in the 20th century. - Africaers. In the 1770s. The drills carried out the annexation of the Land of the Spit Tribal ("Kafr wars").

During the Napoleonic Wars, the Cape Colony passed into the hands of the British. The British authorities continued to colonial expansion. The threat of the invasion of the Europeans stimulated the combination of small tribes on the territories adjacent to the capsary colony. The most powerful of them was the Zulusskaya state created in 1816 by Chuck's leader.

In the 1830s. Completed the relationship between the authorities of the Kapskaya Colony and the boosters. In 1834, a law on the abolition of slavery was adopted, on which the farms was held. They began to gather in armed detachments and leave the colony, capturing the land of African tribes. Especially strong resistance was made by Zulu, but in 1838 they were broken, and the Bordean Republic of Natal was founded in parts of the Zulussian territory. The United Kingdom feared the exit of the bers to the Indian Ocean and in 1843 annexed Natal. Outside the British power turned out to be borants, settled to the north of the Cape Colony. In the 1850s. They created two republics - an orange free state and the South African Republic of Transvaal. Recognizing the bucket states, the United Kingdom sent efforts to conquer African peoples. To con. 19th century The entire territory of the present South Africa was under the rule of the British crown, and the Bordean republics were surrounded by the English possessions from all sides. With their independence, it was committed in the course of the Anglo-Board War of 1899-1902.

In 1910, the United Kingdom united the Kapskoy Colony and Natal with the former turbine republics in the South African Union (UAS), which was provided with the rights of Dominion. Social life in the dominion was founded on the principles of racism. Africans were deprived of political and social rights. In 1912, they created an organization that soon got the name of the African National Congress of South Africa (ANC). He set his goal against racial discrimination, for the equality of the indigenous population.

In the 1st World War, UAS spoke on the side of Great Britain and after her end received the mandate of the League of Nations on the Office of the German South-West Africa (Namibia). The period between the two world wars is characterized by legislation, strengthened the social discrimination against the unfinished population.

In the 2nd World War, UAS participated on the side of the anti-Hitler coalition. The changes that occurred in the world after the war did not affect the internal policy of the ruling circles of the UAS. In 1948, the National Party came to power, which proclaimed racism of the official ideology of the state, which became known as an apartheid. The ultimate goal of apartheid proclaimed the territorial division of the South African population on racial groups, in which 87% of the country would be left the white minority, and the Africans were only 13%. Color and Indians were reserved inside the "white" South Africa. By completing the doctrine of apartheid to life, the authorities metically carried out policies aimed at strengthening the oppression of the unfinished population. The pass system was introduced, which controlled the movement of Africans. The undersized population led the active struggle against apartheid, organizing strikes, demonstrations, campaigns of civil disobedience, incineration of passes, etc. In 1955, the ANC and the progressive organizations of the Color Indian and the White population convened the Congress of the peoples, on which the Charter of Freedom was adopted - the program of struggle for democratic southern Africa.

Authorities cruelly suppressed protest movement. In 1950, the Communist Party was prohibited, and in 1960 ank and other unwanted organization regime. The head of Ank Nelson Mandela and several of his associates were sentenced to life imprisonment. The abilities of legal forms of resistance, the ANC and the revived Communist Party went underground, and from 1961 they began armed struggle, creating a combat organization "Umkonto celence" ("Spear of the nation"). In the same year, UAS came out of the British Commonwealth and declared himself a republic (South Africa). The intense situation in the country caused the Africans uprising in the Soweto suburb of Johannesburg in June 1976, distributed to other cities. A state of emergency was introduced, but the unrest continued for almost a whole year.

After the events in the country of the West, the first serious sanctions against South Africa introduced the first serious sanctions. The inner and external pressure caused a government crisis, and the government began cautious reforms - segregation on transport, in sports, was legalized by the activities of African trade unions. At the same time, power structures were obtained. A new constitution was adopted, which made South African Republic and providing for the three-spectacle parliament - for white, colored and Indians. Africans, as before, were removed from parliamentary elections. The manifestations, supported by strikes, against the new Constitution began. Conventional slogans were: "Down with apartheid!" And "Freedom Nelson Mandela!"

In March 1985, the police shot a peaceful demonstration. It caused a universal strike that had grown into the new African uprising, which had gripping almost all the cities of South Africa. Despite the repressions (in prison was approx. 25 thousand people.), The government could not cope with unrest to the con. 1986.

The crisis of the apartheid regime became evident for many White South Africa. In July 1987, the first meeting of the most prominent businessmen and liberal South African politicians with representatives of the ANC was held in Dakar, which discussed the possibility of the political decision of South African problems. Despite the opposition of the government, such contacts continued. In 1989, F. De Clerk became President of South Africa, who entered into official negotiations with the ANC about the future state-owned device of South Africa, to which all political parties later were attracted. In 1990, Mandela was released after a 27-year-old sentence, and in 1992 a ban on the activities of ANK and other organizations was removed.

On December 20, 1991, a multi-party constitutional conference was opened. The search for a compromise ended with the signing of a temporary constitution in July 1993 for a five-year transition period, and the Government of National Unity was to manage the country, formed from representatives of the main parties held in Parliament. For five years, it was necessary to develop a constant constitution.

The draft temporary constitution was approved by the South African Parliament. In April 1994, the first general elections were held, at which ANK received 65% of the vote, the National Party - 20% and the Freedom Party of the Incata - 10%. At a meeting of Parliament, Mandela was elected President South Africa, who formed the Government of National Unity (Stone) from representatives of three major parties, but soon the National Party was out of the government. In 1997, the new Constitution of South Africa entered into force, which preserved the democratic principles of the provisional constitution.

The stump has developed a socio-economic program that envisaged the rates of economic growth and improving the position of the poorest layers. It has achieved a stable growth of the economy by 2-3% per year (in recent years, an increase in the growth was almost zero), but some goals of the program turned out to be unreal (mass construction of cheap housing, reducing unemployment).

Despite this, ANC once again won the parliamentary elections 1999, having received 266 places from 400. President South Africa became the new leader of the ANK Tabo Mekbecki (Mande-La refused to run for the second presidential period). He continues the course of the previous government, although reality makes any adjustments. He expanded the social and political base of his government, including representatives of all racial and ethnic groups, as well as those political parties that were previously opponents of ANK. Special attention is paid to the fight against poverty and reforms towards the liberalization of the economy.

State Device and Political System of the Republic of South Africa

South Africa - Parliamentary Republic. The 1997 Constitution operates. In administratively, South Africa is divided into 9 provinces (East Cape, Central Cape, Western Cape, Gauteng, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North-West). Large cities: Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban.

The head of state is the president elected by the National Assembly for a period of 5 years. The highest legislative authority is parliamentary

National Assembly and National Provincial Council. The National Assembly consists of 400 deputies elected on the principle of proportional representation. Each provincial legislative authority appoints 6 deputies and invites the National Assembly of the candidacy for the election of another 4 deputies to the National Council of Provinces (NSP). Thus, 90 deputies are included in NSP (10 from each province). Parliament is elected for 5 years.

The legislative bodies of the provinces are elected by the population. The legislature elects the Prime Minister of the province, which forms the government.

The highest executive body is the government led by the president. The head of state and government - President T. Mbeci. Speaker of the National Assembly - T. Molvela.

An outstanding statesman - Nelson Mandela, who dedicated life to the fight against racism in South Africa, the 1st President of the Democratic South Africa, the Nobel Prize winner.

There is approx. 20 parties, 13 are presented in parliament. The most influential: African National Congress, Democratic Party, Communication Freedom Party, New National Party, United Democratic Movement.

Leading organization of business circles: Johannesburg Stock Exchange, South African Business Chamber, Independent Development Trust, South African Foundation.

Public organizations: Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), South Africa Newspaper Association; independent of the government media.

Domestic policy is aimed at preserving social and political stability. Special attention is paid to the fight against crime that has taken dangerous dimensions. Recent statistics indicate a decrease in criminal tension in the country. Another problem of the government is growing corruption. In relation to some aspects of domestic policies (for example, privatization), friction arose between the government and the main political allies of the ANC - the Communist Party and trade unions. The most difficult problem for South Africa remains the elimination of a fraught with a social explosion of the abyss between the standard of living of White and Africans. The government has not yet achieved a significant change in the situation, although some shifts in this direction are evident, for example, the growth of the African "middle class".

The foreign policy is aimed at the development of friendly relations with all countries, but primarily with neighboring states and Africa as a whole. Between South Africa and the Russian Federation established good relations, leaving the roots in the long-standing bonds of the USSR with the liberation movement. Mandela and Mbeci inflicted official visits to Moscow. South Africa has achieved an improvement in relations with the countries of the West, primarily with the United States and the United Kingdom, although certain irritation of the ruling US ruling circles cause South Africa friendly connections with such countries as Cuba and Libya. Thanks to Mandela, the international authority of South Africa increased. In recent years, Mandela and Mbeci have been elected chairmen of such organizations as the movement of non-aligned, Commonwealth, the African Union. South Africa became the venue for major international conferences, including at the level of states.

In Africa, South Africa supported the democratization process and respect for human rights. In 1995, Mandela condemned the execution of nine oppositionists in Nigeria, and in 1998, South African troops entered Lesotho to restore the constitutional order after a military coup. South Africa acted as a peacemaker in the Civil War in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The President of Mbeci was one of the few African leaders who criticized, however, in a rather mild form, the capture of white farms in Zimbabwe; He voted for the exception of Zimbabwe for a year from the Commonwealth, but he opposed the introduction of international sanctions.

Armed Forces include land forces (42,500 people), Navy (5200), Air Force (9600) and medical service (5300). Total in 2000 served 63,400 people. Defense expenditures (2001) - $ 1.79 billion (1.6% of GDP).

Diplomatic relations between South Africa and the Russian Federation were established in 1992.

Economy of the Republic of South Africa

South Africa is the most developed state of Africa, but on international standards - a country with an average income, GDP 412 billion US dollars, i.e. 9,400 dollars per capita (2001). GDP growth in 2001 was 2.8%, and in 2002 - 3%. Economically active population of 17 million people. (2000, Evaluation). According to official data, unemployment is 26% (2001), and according to unofficial - 37%. Inflation 5.8% (2001). Distribution of GDP by industry (2001): Agriculture 3%, industry 31%, services 66%. Employment GDP: Agriculture 8%, Industry 13.3%, Services 78.7%.

The manufacturing industry is the largest productive sector of the National Economy (18% of GDP). In 2000-02, the cost of its products increased by an average of 3.7% per year. The largest industry is black metallurgy. Five plants, the largest of which in Saldanya-Bay worth $ 1.6 billion and the productivity of 1.2 million tons of steel per year earned at full capacity in NA. 2003, belongs to the corporation spark. It is currently fully privatized. Having left the spark, the state did not go completely from black metallurgy, participating in new mixed enterprises. In 2000, it is together with the Swiss company start a construction in Saldanya-Bay Rolling and Galvanic Plant worth $ 1.5 billion. South African Steel is one of the cheapest in the world, but in 1999 South Africa introduced anti-dumping duties for hire from the Russian Federation.

Another important manufacturing industry associated with mining is the production of gold and platinum ingots on affinent plants. Colored metallurgy is represented by plants for the production of almost all non-ferrous metals - from copper, antimony, chromium to rare-earth elements. If the production of some metals, such as copper, in the 1990s. Up to 100.5 thousand tons decreased due to the oversaturation of the world market, the release of others, in particular aluminum, grew. Now its production is approach. 700 thousand tons with low cost (selling price - $ 750 per 1 ton). In con. 2002 It was achieved in principle an agreement on the construction together with the French company a large aluminum factory worth $ 1.6 billion. South Africa belongs to the 1st place in the world for the production of ferrochromic alloys (220 tons, 2000). The world importance is also three enterprises for the production of manganese.

Most of the metals are exported, but it grows its consumption in the country as a result of creating a metalworking, electrical, automotive industry. Already more than 50% of the details, incl. Motors, on Japanese and German motor assembly plants are made in South Africa. In 2000, 266 thousand passenger cars and 130.6 thousand trucks have come from the conveyors.

The collapse of apartheid gave an impulse for the development of the oldest manufacturing industry - the production of food and beverages, especially fruit juices, wine (187 Glk, 2000) and beer. In 2002, Sab-Miller became the 2nd largest beer company in the world due to expansion in 11 African countries, India, USA and other countries, incl. In the Russian Federation, where its brand of beer "Golden Barrel" is known.

The textile, sewing, shoe industry in 2002 accounted for 7.9% of the total manufacturing cost of the manufacturing industry. The sewing industry provides 90% of the domestic market and, moreover, products are exported. However, the shoe industry is experiencing difficulties due to smuggling of shoes from China and Southeast Asia, going through the countries that come from South Africa to the Customs Union and through Mozambique.

The following value was the chemical industry - a relatively new industry, except for the production of explosives for mining. By employment (135 thousand people), she overtook the light industry. The product range is very wide: fertilizers, petroleum products, acids, paints, artificial fibers, rubber products, plastics, etc. In South Africa, technology was invented and three plants for the production of gasoline from coal were built.

From other industries of the manufacturing industry, the production (2000, million tons) should be noted: cellulose - 1.37, paper and cardboard - 2.02, cement - 8.7, sugar - 1.15.

The mining industry remains an important industry, especially as a source of foreign currency, although its share in GDP decreased by 2002 to 7.5%. The 1st place in terms of production is gold. In 1970, its prey was a record - more than 1000 tons, but since the 1980s. It began to constantly decline in 2001 below 500 tons (20% of world production and 50% of South Africa mineral exports). The main reason is the widespread price. In 1999, she sank to $ 252.9 per ounce, while the cost of gold in South Africa - St. 300 dollars. As a result, the majority of mines were closed. The rise in prices after the Iraqi crisis stimulates the increase in gold production.

A favorable conjuncture on the world market contributes to an increase in platinum and platinoid production (220 tons in 2000), other metals. In 2000, the mining of ores amounted to (on the maintenance of metal, thousand tons): nickel - 38, zinc - 70, vanadium - 17, antimony - 6, cobalt - 0.3, lead concentrate - 81. Mining of iron ore - 33.1 million t, copper ore (based on metal content) - 0.14, chrome ore - 7.1, manganese ore - 3.2, silver ore - 0.15, coal - 225, uranium - 1 million tons. Diamond mining - 10 million carats. Many other minerals are also mined.

Agriculture - a successfully developing industry of the economy, but its share in GDP is constantly decreasing. Under the arable land is suitable 12.13% of the territory. Squares for pastures are much larger, the slopes of the mountains and hills are used under vineyards and forest stocks. Because of the frequent droughts, the yield fluctuations are very significant, for example, corn from 2.9 to 13.6 million tons. There are two agricultural sectors: natural, in which most of the products are consumed by the manufacturers themselves, and commodity. Basic grain culture in both sectors - corn. In 2001, the collection of grains amounted to (million T): corn - 8; Wheat - 2.3; sorghum - 0.2; Barley - 0.1. Yield is low according to international standards. Collecting corn with 1 hectare, for example, is 38% of the corresponding indicator in the United States.

Along with the grain, South Africa provides themselves with all the main foods, and sugar (cane), vegetables, fruits and berries are exported in a very wide assortment - from draining, apples and strawberries to bananas, avocado, mango, citrus. In 2001, the harvest of the most significant cultures amounted to (thousand tons): sugar cane - 22,000, potatoes - 1681, grapes - 1332, oranges - 1086, sunflower seeds - 677, peanuts - 204, tobacco - 30, apples - 561, tomatoes - 30 489, pineapples - 137, cotton - 32.

In animal husbandry, the figures for recent years are stable both by the livestock and the volume of products. The main export goods - sheep and goat (mohair) wool. In 2001, the livestock (mln): Cattle - 13.5, sheep - 28.8, goats - 6.8, pigs - 1.6, chickens - 62. In recent years, iocence has been developing.

Fisheries - a rapidly growing industry, fish catch reached in 2000 600 thousand tons. In addition, sea crustaceans and clams are painted artificially divorced. The volume of catching fish in inland reservoirs is insignificant, but crocodiles are mined in rivers (26 926, 1999).

In South Africa, a thick transport network has been created. All iron and almost all highways belong to the state. The length of the main railways is 20,384 km, and taking into account the driveway to industrial facilities - 31,400 km (2000). 9900 km of roads electrified. During the last two decades, investments in the development of railway transport were directed mainly to expanding railway terminals in ports - the construction of warehouses, driveways to them. In 1999, for the first time in 15 years, the Government decided to build a new railway line. Annual volume of transportation - approx. 2 billion passenger-km and OK.110 billion TCM. Length of highways - more than 500 thousand km, of which are 20.3% with a solid coating (2001). Motor transport accounts for 80% of all freight traffic in the country. Number of cars - 1.5 million pcs.

There is no river shipping, but the sea transport plays a crucial role in foreign trade. Seven large ports - Durban, Cape Town, East London, Richards Bay, Port Elizabeth, Saldanya Bay and Mossel Bay - equipped with the latest equipment, specialized in certain goods (containers, coal, ore) and are among the most cost-effective in world. Cargo turnover in 2002 amounted to 110 million tons. The merchant fleet includes 197 vessels with a common displacement of 381.9 tons (2001).

Civil aviation serves 546 cities of South Africa. There are 143 airports with a firm coating of the runway. The main air travel is carried out by the state company South Africen Eyrueis (SAA), which is now in the privatization stage. In addition, there are still 3 major ("Komair", SA Express and Ca "Eyrlink") and 16 small local airlines. Air transport links South Africa with countries in Africa, Europe, Asia, America and Australia. 7 million passengers and 2 billion TCM are transported annually.

In the country, three large pipelines: 931 km (crude oil), 1748 km (petroleum products), 322 km (gas).

Communication lines are the most modern. Communication with the outside world is carried out on two underwater cables and through three InterSolt satellites. Intercity telephone negotiations are provided with a cable network and through satellites. The number of stationary phones is more than 5 million, mobile - 7.06 million (2001). A project to expand the telephone network with a connection of 12 million new phones worth 6 billion randov has been developed and began. There are more than 350 radio stations in the country and more than 550 television stations, 145 of which other television stations relay. The number of radios - 17 million (2001), televisions - 6 million (2000). The number of users using 3.068 million (2002).

20 coal operating power plants, one atomic and several small hydropower plants belong to the State Esk Company. Their total capacity is 39,54 MW. South Africa - the center of the Unified Energy System of Southern Africa, from Zambia to Namibia; It supplies energy to neighboring countries and, in turn, receives it from Mozambique and Zambia. A project to transfer water from Mount Lesotho to South Africa worth $ 3.77 billion, including a waterway with a capacity of 77 m3 per second and a cascade of HPP. The end of construction in 2017, but the first stage of the project has already been implemented.

Combates employment to a significant part of the population. In 2001 out of 10.8 million jobs on trade and restaurants accounted for 2.4 million. In fact, there are still no less than 2 million people in trade. These are street merchants, they do not pay taxes and therefore are taken into account by statistics as unemployed.

Tourism is a rapidly developing industry. In 2000, 6 million tourists visited the country (there are no foreigners who arrived at work).

The economic and social policy of the government is very closely connected. Efforts in the economy are aimed at achieving the annual 5% growth, at a minimum, which would send a part of the GDP growth to fight poverty. Below the level of poverty is 50% of the population (2000). This is mostly Africans whose incomes are generally several times (and in rural areas by an order) are lower than that of white. Their hopes for the emergend improvement of their position after the overthrow of the power of white racists were not justified, and to avoid the social explosion, the government is forced to direct significant budget funds not to the production, but to the social sphere, to fight poverty by Africans. Electrification programs, water supply of African districts, construction of houses for the poor. The social component of government policies is aimed at stabilizing the situation in the country, but at the same time it is a brake economic growth. Eight years of democratic South Africa showed that it cannot reach 5% of growth due to internal savings. Foreign investments are needed, however, the hopes for their influx after apartheid were not justified. One of the aspects of economic reforms conducted by the government - the creation of favorable conditions for foreign capital, however, large private investments in the coming years, South Africa, most likely, will not receive, for external capital considers it as a country with the high potential of socio-political destabilization due to the abyss Between the levels of white and black. As for financing from other states and international organizations, South Africa did not receive a single large loan from the World Bank. The IMF declares that it is ready to promote the development of South Africa, but Pretoria refuses the proposed loans, considering the conditions for their provision unacceptable. Among the recommendations of the IMF - privatization, termination of state assistance to unprofitable enterprises, reducing government spending. The paradox is that, rejecting the conditions of the IMF, the government follows them in their policies. Privatization is carried out, although slowly, the first government development program was replaced by the second, in which ambitious figures of the poor disappeared, although the authorities did not refuse the principles of their social policy. However, reforms in the direction of liberalization of the economy, especially privatization, lead to loss of jobs in the public sector and cause trade unions and the Communist Party - the main political allies of the ruling Party of the ANC. The government is forced to take it into account, especially since the opponents of reforms support their position to strikes. The achievement of domestic policy is, although slow, but stable growth in economics, some improvement in social infrastructure in African regions.

Namaqualand, South Africa - 'Finger and Thumb' Succulent Plant - Image By © Frans Lanting / Corbis

Cape Town, South Africa - Cape Town and Harbor Under Full Moon - Image By © Jon Hicks / Corbis

The South African Reserve Bank (South Africa) carries out the emission of the Rand, determines its exchange rate, credit policy, establishing the amount of the accounting rate, issues licenses to private banks, controls foreign trade operations. In recent years, some restrictions on the export of currency have been discontinued, and the gold miners who were obliged to take the extracted gold to the South Africa, received the right to independently enter the foreign market. Commercial operations carry out private banks, incl. Foreign. South Africa is united with Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland with a common currency agreement in the so-called. Rand zone. This means the need for agreed actions of central banks of these countries, but in practice, the total financial policy is determined in Pretoria.

State budget (2002/03, billion dollars): incomes 22.6, expenses (including investment budget) 24.7. Taxes provide 75% of budget revenues. For the fight against poverty, for several years already has a "temporary" tax on the income of individuals and legal entities, if they exceed 50 thousand rands per year. At the same time, with 2000, the company's profit tax is reduced from 40 to 35%, but increased dividend tax from 15 to 25%. A feature of the state budget is that 46% of its costs are transfers to the provinces for use on social needs. The second largest cost of expenses in the 2001/02 budget was the maintenance of public debt (20.2%). In the budget of 2002/03, it decreased to 15.7%. Recent years, the budget deficit is planned in the amount of 2.1% of GDP, but the budget execution showed 1.4-1.5%. External public debt - $ 25.5 billion (2001).

The standard of living in South Africa is higher than in most African countries, but the national income is distributed extremely unevenly. Since 1993, data on its distribution on racial groups is not published, but the incomes of most white are several times more than that of the overwhelming number of Africans. In 2000, 50% of the population was below the features of poverty. This is primarily rural residents and unemployed in cities. The position of other layers of urban residents has improved in recent years. The salary in the public and private sectors is indexed in accordance with inflation, and the cost of life value in 2000-02 did not exceed it, amounting to 5-6% per year. Installed a minimum wage for different industries. In the mining industry, it constitutes 200 dollars for the surface per month. In addition, the miners union achieved an increase in the wages of low-paid workers by 25%. Many trade unions and entrepreneurs have concluded contracts for the linking level of wages with an increase in enterprise performance. The abolition of the laws of apartheid on the prevention of Africans to the qualified work has opened the opportunity to engage in private business for them and thus increase their standard of living. Already, Africans crowded white from the taxi service and Africans-millionaires appeared in business. The policy of Africanization not only changed the racial composition of the state apparatus, there were changes in the administration of large private companies. The improvement of the life of the working population is evidenced by the increase in sales of long-term goods and the growth of deposits in banks (in 2000-01 by 20% per year). Bank deposits exceed a lot of money in their hands from the population 11 times. You can talk about the appearance of the African "middle class".

The dependence of the South African economy from foreign trade is very significant. In 2001, South Africa had a positive trade balance. Exports amounted to $ 32.3 billion, and imports - 28.1 billion. Basic export articles: gold, diamonds, platinum, other minerals, machinery and equipment, food and drinks. Major articles import: vehicles, machinery, oil, chemical goods, food. Main trading partners: EU, USA, Japan, Holland, Saudi Arabia. South Africa - a member of the South African Customs Union, which also includes Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland. South Africa's payment balance is reduced in recent years with a positive balance ($ 2.16 billion, 2001).

Science and culture of the Republic of South Africa

According to UNESCO, 18.2% of the adult population is illiterate. School education is mandatory for children aged 7 to 16 years. In 1996, elementary schools attended 94% of all children (93% of boys and 95% of girls), and secondary schools - 51% (46 and 57%). Scientific work is conducted at universities and research institutes. In 2000, there were 22 universities and 15 technical universities in the country ("technicians"). In 2002, the reform of the university system began, as a result of which some universities will be closed, but new ones will open. Scientific institutions conduct research in many areas: astronomy, physics, biology, medicine, social sciences. To some extent, the coordination of research is carried out by the South African Academy of Sciences and Arts, but administratively institutions are independent of it. South Africa is the first country where heart transplant was carried out.

With con. 19th century Created extensive South African literature in English, Afrikaans and African languages. In all over the world, the names of such writers like O.Shreiner, B. Vilakazi, A.jordan, P.Abrahams, Breytenbach, and others. N. Hordiner awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Very diverse architecture of South African cities. Local architects made an uniqueness to European styles - Neo-Neklissicism, creating a "cap" architecture. In con. 20 V. In major cities, many administrative buildings are erected with a complex planning solution in the style of the most avant-garde directions. The development of painting, music is characterized by revival of traditional African heritage and a combination of elements of African and European art. The worldwide fame received South African church choral singing.



South Africa Republic
State in southern Africa. On May 31, 1910, the South African Union was created, which included self-governing English colonies (Kapskaya, Natal) and the Borsk Republic (Orange Free State and Transval). On May 31, 1961, the country was proclaimed by the Republic, and on April 27, 1994, democracy treated South Africa.

South Africa Republic. The capital is Pretoria. Population - 47.5 million people (1997). Population density - 39 people per 1 sq. M. km. Urban population - 62%, rural - 38%. Area - 1 223,404 square meters. km. The highest point is Mount Endjesuti (3446 m). Main languages: English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Spit (only 11 official languages). The main religion is Protestantism. Administrative and territorial division - 9 provinces. Monetary unit: rand \u003d 100 cents. National holiday: the day of the Constitution - April 27. State hymns: "God, blessing Africa" \u200b\u200band "Calls of South Africa".

The territory of South Africa is located in tropical and subtropical zones. In the West, the country is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and in the south and east - the waters of the Indian Ocean. In the North-West, it borders with Namibia, which South Africa managed in 1920-1966 on the mandate of the League of Nations. South Africa retained control over Namibia until 1990, when she gained independence. In the north, South Africa is bordered by Botswana, in northeastern C - Zimbabwe, Mozambik and Swaziland. On the territory of South Africa is the independent state of Lesotho. December 24, 1947 and 4 January 1948 Great Britain handed over his rights to Marion Islands and Prince Eduard in Antarctica.
The capital of the country is Pretoria. Before in 1994, the Multiracial Democracy regime was established in South Africa, its administrative territory was divided into four provinces - Kapskaya, Transvaal, Natal and Orange. In 1994, the Cape Province and Transval were divided into seven new provinces, and Natal was renamed to Kuzalu-Natal. In 1995, the Orange Province began to be called Fri State. According to the results of the census, 1996, the population of the nine provinces of South Africa was (in thousand people): East-Kapskaya - 6302.5, Free State - 2633.5, Gauteng - 7348.4, Kvazulu-Natal - 8417.0, Mpumalanga - 2800 , 7, North Cape - 840.3, North - 4 929.4, North-West - 3354.8 and West Kapskaya - 3956.8 people.
Features relief. The central plateau has a sword shape and is mainly composed with almost horizontal sealing sedimentary rocks. Its central part is at the height of OK. 600 m above U.M., and the edges are raised by more than 1500 m. The surface of the plateau is predominantly flooded, the flat-axle hills with steep slopes are tested in many places, called the cutting mountains, and bizarre remains, destroyed by boulders, called Copsess (translated - "Heads"). The plateau is almost entirely drained to two rivers. The orange river (with the influx of Waal) flows to the west through the north-cap province and then along the border with Namibia rushes into the Atlantic Ocean. The Limpopo River flows to the northeast along the borders with Botswana and Zimbabwe and then it follows through the territory of Mozambique to the Indian Ocean. With the exception of these rivers and some of their tributaries, most rivers on the territory of the plateau have stock only during the wet season. In the West and North-West, some rivers are lost in shallow brands, which remain dry most of the year and are filled with water only in the rainy season.
Great ledge is a mountain arc with a length of 2250 km, towering over coastal lowlands of South Africa. Each part here has its own name. Mountains of Kamismber and Bokkefeldberg in Namakvaland are highlighted; Mountains Rokhefeldberg and Komberg near Saterland; Nywefeldberge Ridge near Beaufort-West; Cowefeldberge Mountains (2130 m) and Snowdrome (2504 m) over the Stormberg Stormberg Mountains to the North of Quinstown. The big ledger reaches the greatest heights in the Dragon Mountains at the Eastern Border of Lesotho, where there are marks above 3350 m. The highest peak of South Africa Mount Endjesuti (3446 m) is on the border itself with Lesotho, and the top of the Dragon Mountains Thabana-Ntlenyan (3482 m) Located in Lesotho. In this area, a large ledge is a system of gears and deep amphitherators that form one of the most picturesque Landscapes of South Africa.
Namakvaland is a very dry territory in the West of the North Cape and West Cape Provinces. This flat platform drops from a large ledge towards the Atlantic Ocean. Above its surface, granite remains are raised and separated by low, but dismembered mountain ranges. In the seaside parts, the platform is covered with a powerful cover of pebbles.
Kapsky and South Coastal Areas. As noted above, these areas are similar to the relief. Here, linear mountain ranges are distinguished, composed of predominantly sedimentary rocks and extending in the latitudinal direction across the West Kapskaya and East Caps of the province, and the ridges are interspersed with longitudinal valleys. The ridges themselves are narrow and strongly dismembered, with numerous vertices, rising above 1830 m above U.M. The flat bottoms of many valleys are fascinated by powerful strata of alluvia formed as a result of the destruction of the surrounding mountains. Between the mountains and the foot of a large ledge there is a territory called a large punishment and representing a number of wide flat-bottomed interconnected kitelins dedicated to heights 600-900 m above U.M. and having a stock in the narrow gorges in the direction of the ocean.
The southeastern coastal area is located between the big ledge and the Indian Ocean. Its surface is a complex combination of rounded hills. In many places, the hills are suitable directly to the coast, where steep ledges and small beaches alternate. The coastal plain is developed only in the extreme north, near the border with Mozambique.
Transvalsky Low Veld. The hills of the south-east coast continue to the north, in a transval low Veld. Low wavy hills are predomined, crushed trees and shrubs, as well as grass. Extensive bottoms of the valleys of large rivers are crowded.
Climate. General characteristics. In winter (in July), the center of the high pressure area is located above the central plateau. At this time of the year there is cold, and winds from there are winds contribute to the establishment of dry cold cloudless weather in many areas of South Africa. However, in the extreme south (Kapsky and South Coastal Areas), winter is a season of frequent cold heavy rains, and there is almost constantly tightened by the clouds.
In the summer (in January), the low pressure center is located above the central plateau. Wet air from the Indian Ocean is dragged there. At the same time, moisturized winds contribute to the fallout of rains in the southeastern and eastern parts of a large ledge and on the central plateau. However, in the Kapsky district, dry and hot weather is installed in the summer.
The amounts of precipitation decrease to the west of 1900 mm on the eastern slopes of dragon mountains to less than 25 mm on the coast of Namakvaland. Thanks to the uneven relief in the Kapsky and South Coastal Areas, large local differences are manifested in the amount of precipitation.
Temperatures in South Africa are reduced from east to west. Under the influence of the cold Bennel flow, following the western coast, the temperatures are greatly reduced. The average annual temperature in Port Nollot 14 ° C, however, on the east coast, under the influence of the warm Indian ocean, the temperature is high, and in Durban, the average annual temperature is 22 ° C. On the other hand, the temperature difference between the northern and southern areas is small, since heights increase to North. The southern tip of the mainland (the needle) and Johannesburg (located 1450 km north, but at an altitude of 1740 m above Um) have an average annual temperature approx. 16 ° C.
The central plateau is distinguished by a sharply continental climate with pronounced contrasts of daily and annual temperatures. In the summer it is hot weather with dazzling bright sunlight and episodic strong thunderstorms. Kimberly, located at an altitude of 1220 m above U.M., in January, has an average maximum temperature of 32 ° C, and the middle minimum - 17 ° C. On the other hand, in the winter day there is a pleasant warm weather (the average maximum temperature of July 19 ° C) Due to the bright sunlight, but the nights are cold (the minimum temperature of July 2 ° C). Winter is very dry, in June, July and August, the sediments almost do not fall out.
Namakvalanda is a very dry territory: precipitation amount ranges from the maximum value of 200 mm in the mountains of the inland areas to the minimum - less than 25 mm on the coast. On the coast, weather is cool and temperatures are quite constant. Outside the zone of the influence of the coastal temperature, the temperature is greatly rising.
The Kapsky district has the same fertile climate as the Mediterranean coast of Europe and South California. In winter, rainy weather is installed, and in the summer - dry. The sediments fall on May - September. On the coast, they usually fall out in the form of rains, but in higher mountains (for example, on Cape Town dining area) sometimes there are snowfall. Their quantity varies greatly depending on the nature of the relief. In Cape Town, the average annual precipitation reaches 630 mm, whereas in some high mountains usually falls 2540 mm. Temperatures in Cape Town vary greatly throughout the year. In July (winter), the average minimum temperature is 9 ° C, and the average maximum is 17 ° C; In January (in summer), the average minimum temperature is 16 ° C, and the average maximum 27 ° C. Within the range, however, large temperature contrasts are observed, which depends on the susceptibility to the consecious effects of the ocean; In the inner valleys summer is hotter, and winter is colder than on the coast.
The southern coastal area receives the so much precipitation in the winter as the Kapsky district, and in the summer - how much southeast coastal.
The southeastern coastal area receives most of the rainfall in the summer months, but not one month here is truly dry. In Durban, 1140 mm of liquid precipitation falls for the year, and in March, an average of 150 mm, and in July - only 40 mm. In the summer there is very warm wet weather with an average maximum temperature of 28 ° C and a medium minimum 21 ° C in January. Winters are soft and pleasant with the average maximum temperature of 22 ° C and the middle minimum 13 ° C in July.
Transvalsky Low Veld in the summer receives a large amount of precipitation, in some places up to 2030 mm. Winter dry and sunny. All year round the high temperatures are dominated.
Vegetation. Most of the central plateau is a low poppery, or herbaceous velf. However, huge areas of this once fertile steppe have been violated as a result of a strong re-fall of livestock for more than a century, as well as strong erosion caused by unpropered cultivation of grain crops. The subsequent degradation of agriculture of this area was accompanied by the penetration of cost-value plants in herbaceous veld.
In the semi-desert north-cape, the type of vegetation is widespread, which is commonly called "Cara". It is characterized by rarefied low cereal cover, as well as low shrubs and numerous succulent plants. It is usually believed that this territory earlier had a more thick vegetation cover, mainly from the cereals, and its current state is due to a grazing digression.
The shrubs with sparse trees and the abundance of herbs, known as Bushweld, occupy the northwestern part of the central plateau and continue to the east on the territory having the shape of the crescent, through the Transvalsky Low Veld to the north Kwazulu-Nathala. The main components of Bushweld - shrub and wood forms of acacia, giant baobabs and moang. Most of the arid northwestern province is covered with barbed shrubs (mostly different types of acacia), cereals and detached trees. This territory is known as Bushweld Kalahari.
The overall aridity of Namacwalenda predetermines the development of desert types of vegetation, but due to frequent fogs, numerous succulents are distributed here, especially mezearrymakers.
The Kapsky area is covered mainly by shrub vegetation, known as Finbos or Macquia, which is very similar to McWis Southern France and Chaparam Southern California. This area is characterized by a complex floristic composition with a large variety of species. The predominant part of the plants is well adapted for survival over long hot dry summer seasons. These plants have solid leathery leaves and resinous juice. Classes and bulbous plants are also common. Numerous calla grow in a wild condition.
In natural state, the southern and southeastern coastal areas were covered with dense subtropical forests. The main tree species were nappies used in the construction and furniture industry, a bubble oxygen, which also used for the manufacture of furniture, and an iron tree of multipurpose destination. With the advent of dark-skinned cattle breeders and black and white farmers over the past two centuries, almost all forests were reduced by cutting or burning under arable land. However, the remnants of indigenous forests are preserved on steep slopes and especially near the book. In places were planted by acacia, pines and eucalyptus (consisting of introduced species). At small heights, shrubs are currently preserved, which strongly suffer from re-falling livestock. At high altitudes, the horses of high cereals are common. Directly near the coast, dense forests from low-spirited trees (less than 9 m tall) are extended, and palm trees, bananas, mimeuzops are reversed, and in a drying strip in the mouth of rivers, mangrove trees.
Soil. There are three major soil areas: East, east of 26 ° V.D.; The coastal coinciding with the caps and southern coastal areas noted above; Both West District, west of 26 ° V.D. The eastern district is characterized by a wet warm climate with strong summer rains. In soils, signs of latitis are clearly pronounced: lack of soluble salts, especially calcium, due to leaching; Small content of humus; The concentration of iron and aluminum oxides and in general the clay structure. Exceptions from this general rule make up some of the fertile black soils of the Northern Tranvahal, less leached soils of the transvalsky low fuel and podzolic soils developed under local convergence in the dragon mountains and in the coastal strip Kvazulu-Nathala.
Kapsky and southern coastal areas have pretty lowland acidic soils, mainly on slates and sandstones. However, the bottoms of some large valleys wretched fertile loams, on which one of the most fertile soils of the country are formed.
Most of the plateau west of 26 ° V.D. Different with a seveniaride and arid climate. Similar conditions are common to south, in the punishment, and west, on the coast. The soils of these arid areas are similar to desert soils in other areas: there are many soluble salts and little humus, there is a cementation of the upper horizons - where calcium carbonate is deposited during evaporation.
Fauna. Before the appearance of Europeans, the fauna of the territory of South Africa was a fabulous rich. However, over the past two centuries, the reinforced hunting variety of animal peace has greatly buried. Some species were knocked out, and most of the large animals moved to the mountainous and desert areas of Northern Transvaal, in particular the territory of the Kruger National Park.
Previously elephants lived throughout the country, excluding Namacwalend; Nowadays, the pathetic remnants of their studs live only in the forest of Kninna and shrub thickets of the National Park of the Addo in the south-east of the country (near Port Elizabeth), although large populations can be found in the Kruger National Park. White rhinos, once numerous in the inner areas of the country, are currently represented by only a few individuals in one of the reserves of Kwan-Natal. Lviv, widespread in the past, can only be found in the Kruger National Park and along the border with Botswana. The huge number of Antelopes and Zebras once embellished on the Graslands of the Central Plateau, and today the tiny herds of the antelopes are found only along the border with Botswana and in the eastern part of the Northern Transvae, and Zebras almost disappeared. Kalahari Gersbok National Park in the North Cape Province provides asylum row of animals, including antophu Springbok, Cheetah and Guien. Babuines, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs and several types of petty feline are still abundant in crossed mountainous areas, and monkeys inhabit the forests of Kwazulu-Nathal. Leopards, once numerous, by the mid-1970s were under threat of destruction.
On the islands of the west coast washed by cold waters, penguins are found. Parrots and rhino birds are found along the entire warm oriental coast. Ostrich were common and had a large commercial value of half a century ago; Now they moved to the incomplete inner areas.
Numerous reptiles. Crocodiles are found in coastal rivers in the north KwaZulu-Nathal, many poisonous snakes, including African Vijuk, Cobra, Wood Snakes and Mamb.
POPULATION
According to the 1996 census, 40.6 million people lived in South Africa: Africans - 77%, white - 11%, methuses (descendants of Mixed marriages of Europeans and Africans, so-called. "Colored") - 9%, people from Asia, in Mainly Indian, - OK. 3%.

The main ethnic groups of the Black Population: Zulu, Spit, Swami, Tsvan, Suto, Venda, Naddeel, Pedi and Tsong. About 59% of white spoke in Afrikaans, 39% in English. Africanners are descendants of the Dutch, French Protestants (Huguenot) and German immigrants, which from 1652 began to settle southern Africa. After in 1820, the United Kingdom seized the Cape Colony, the influx of immigrants from England intensified. Colored ancestors were indigenous inhabitants of South Africa - Gottentotes (Koikoin) and Bushmen (San), as well as Malay slaves from the Netherlands East India and the first European settlers. The Asian population is mainly the descendants of Natal Asians recruited on sugar plantations, mainly Indians who began to arrive in South Africa from 1860, as well as merchants, mainly from Bombay, which appeared later. In South Africa, 11 languages \u200b\u200bare considered.
Demographic statistics. Old data on fertility, mortality and natural population movement did not take into account Africans who have made more than three-quarters of the country's population, and therefore cannot be considered reliable. The Government of the White Minority and some statistical organizations published separate data about the White, Color and Asian population. The most objective are the results of the 1996 census, when the population of villages and temporary settlements was taken into account for the first time.
Africans. In the period 1948-1991, the African population of South Africa was subjected to systematic oppression and repression by the ruling minority. Many Africans retained their ethnic identity. This primarily refers to the people of Zulu, whose ruler retains a significant impact. Intense relations between some ethnic groups of the African population and political rivalry on the eve of the elections held in April 1994 were poured into numerous armed clashes. After the formation of a new government, passion slightly lighted, but tensions in interethnic relations are preserved.
Throughout the 1980s - early 1990s, about half of the African population lived in ten bantustans, which were created by the Government of the White Minority to deprive the Africans of South Africa. In each Bantustan, one or more ethnic groups led by the leader, whose candidacy was approved by the Government of South Africa. The Government of the White Minority recognized four Bantustan (Bophuthatsvan, Sissex, Tranca and Venda as independent states, but not one of them received international recognition. In economically, the bantustans were weakly developed and were intended to regulate the inflow of black workers in the South Africa controlled by the White Economy. When in 1994 the country became a state of multiracial democracy, all the bantustans were eliminated. According to 1996, the African population prevailed in seven provinces of nine, and in four amounted to over 90%.
In the time of Apartheid, many Africans could only live separately from white, in special villages - Townships. The Africans who worked as a domestic servant at the White, on gold and diamond primers, as well as in the steel industry, were peppers, their families remained in the villages. In the mining industry, they worked on a contract basis and lived in special compounds near the place of work.
Forced migration first black men, and then women for searching for work in the "white" districts and major cities, adversely affected not only on the traditional lifestyle, but also on family relationships. The population of Bankeese was predominantly women, children and old people, since most men aged 16 to 60 worked to provide a family or to kiss money for a wedding. A significant part of the funds needed to ensure the subsistence minimum of the residents of Bankers came from the pests.
White population from the moment of creation in the 1910 South African Union and until 1994 was a politically dominant group and still holds the dominant position in the economy. The White Population of South Africa consists of two main groups.
Afrikaners, which are also called the boots (Netherl. "Peasants"), numerically prevail among whites everywhere, except for some areas of Quad Natal. Most of them in the provinces of Gauteng and West Kapskaya. In 1991, most of the Afrikaner lived in cities. The yield of ferry farms declined, especially in the 1920s, and many storms were forced to move for permanent residence in the city. In the context of unemployment growth in the 1930s, the Government and White Trade Unions reserved jobs for them in certain sectors of the economy.
Africanners constitute a tightly cohesive community. Almost all of them are followers of the Netherlands Reformed Church, which up to 1990, when apartheid was devoted to Anathema, justified the idea of \u200b\u200bthe superiority of the White race and the practice of racial discrimination. Africanners speak in the language of Afrikaans, which is based on the Netherlands.
Anglo Africans. Compared with African, the English-speaking white population lives more compact. In some areas, Kwan-Nathala and East Cape Provinces Anglo-Africans are engaged in agriculture, but most of them live in cities. In addition to the small (100 thousand people), but the influential Jewish community, English-speaking white belong to the Anglican, Methodist and Roman Catholic churches. Some Anglo Africans retain attachment to the UK, but most considers their homeland South Africa. This group of the White Population includes all the recent immigrants who are not speaking during the Netherlands.
Asian population. Suites from Asia occupy an intermediate position between black and white. Most Asians live in Quadzulu-Natal province and in the suburbs of Johannesburg. Part of the Asian population still works on sugar plantations in Kvazulu-Natal or industrial enterprises and in the institutions of Durban, the main seaport of the province, the other part is the successful merchants and owners of large real estate. According to the Law "On Delamination by Groups", which was canceled in 1991, many real estate owners had no right to live in their own homes. The first campaigns of civil disobedience were carried out in order to improve the situation of the Asian population of the country. For a long time, the South African Indian Congress and Indian Congress Natal worked closely with the African National Congress.
Cities and city districts. Africans make up the majority of the population in many major cities and urban areas. Until 1994, black citizens were not taken into account in the censuses of the population and were not included in the statistical reports, since the Government of the White Minority considered them as residents of Bankers, and not those urban areas where they actually lived. Located on the outskirts of large cities of the Townships of the black or colored population, even if they were most of the city in terms of the area and the population, they often did not turn on the list of settlements. According to the 1991 census and other sources, which contain reliable data on the number of city African population, the largest cities of South Africa are (in thousands of people): Cape Town - 854.6 (with suburbs 1.9 million), Durban - 715.7 (1 , 74 million), Johannesburg - 712.5 (4 million), Soweto - 596.6, Pretoria - 525.6 (1.1 million), Port Elizabeth - 303.3 (810), Svalzi - 299 , 3, Idai - 257.0, Madzana - 242.8, Dipmedou - 241.1, Likoa - 217.6, Tembis - 209.2, Cutehong - 201,8, Evaton - 201.0, Rudpurt Mavereg - 162 , 6, quad - 156.7, pytermaritzburg - 156.5 (265), Mamelodi - 154.8, Daviton - 151.7, Coshanguwe - 146.3, Gerministon - 134.0, Bloemfontein - 126.9 (280, 0), Alexandra - 124.6, Boksburg - 119.9, Karltonville - 118.7 (175.0), Bochyled 117.9, Benioni - 113,5, Kempton Park - 106.6, East London - 102 , 3 (365.0) and NTUUM - 102.3.
See further
SOUTH AFRICA. State system and politics
SOUTH AFRICA. ECONOMY
SOUTH AFRICA. Education and culture
SOUTH AFRICA. HISTORY
SOUTH AFRICA. History since 1949.
LITERATURE

Mrett F. Equatorial, Eastern and South Africa. M., 1951 Moiseeva G.M. South Africa: economic and geographical characteristics. M., 1966 Davidson A.B. South Africa. Formation of protest forces, 1870-1924. M., 1972 Vyatkin R.R. The creation of the South African Union (1902-1910). M., 1976 Gorodov V.P. Black residents of the "White" city. The life and struggle of the African ghetto. M., 1983.

The encyclopedia of the colley. - Open Society. 2000 .

Synonyms:

The lower part of the continent, from three sides washed by ocean waves, where the southernmost point of Africa is located - the needle is a needle in South Africa. In the north, separated from other areas of the Congo River basin. This is South Africa, in which (according to different qualifications) are located from five to twelve states. Chief "Kostya", united in the Customs Union - South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana and Namibia.

Climate and its influence on the natural world

In the topographic plan on the subcontinent, numerous plateaus, plateaus and mountains prevail, the entire territory is generously covered with a network of tectonic cracks and faults. Also South Africa Quite a fairly flowing "blue arteries", there is an orange river, Limpopo and Zambezi with a world-famous tourist attraction - Victoria Waterfall.

The climate is predominantly tropical, on the east coast is very humid - there are trade winds, bringing a large amount of precipitation from the exploits of the Indian Ocean. In the West, somewhat cooler - in this merit of winds from the Atlantic. From October to March, daytime temperatures rise to +35 ° C, although at night it can noticeably cool. Autumn is short and relatively dry, and winter is soft, but surprisingly non-permanent: warm in the valleys, and snowfall is quite possible in the mountains.

Such climatic variability affects the wealth of the plant and animal world - the countries of South Africa can boast an amazing variety of flora and fauna. There are areas of hot deserts, mountain ridges and meadows, palm groves and steppes covered with low-spirited shrubs, savanna and even swamps. Safari lovers can meet in these places Lviv, rhinos, buffaloes, giraffes, hyenas and leopards - as well as a lot of other large and small mammals.

Economic development and prospects

In times of colonization countries of South Africa Actively settled by European migrants, which were interested in the first place in the development of agricultural land and pastures. The entire region is covered with a thick network of small and large farms. Also these lands are rich in minerals, the most important of which are gold and diamonds. However, the level of economic stability on the subcontinent of the Crane is inhomogeneous, some states are significantly dependent on subsidies.

The most advanced and attractive country for investment is South Africa. Despite the pronounced racial discrimination and the monstrous poverty of the indigenous population, this state is considered the most promising on the entire continent. Botswana and Namibia (one of the largest uranium producers) is successfully developed.

List of South Africa

Below is a list of countries in this region and more complete information about them:

• Botswana
• Lesotho
• Namibia
• Swaziland.
• South Africa Republic