South Africa, officially known as the Republic of South Africa, is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bordered by six countries, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, eSwatini, and Lesotho, which is an enclave surrounded by South African territory. South Africa also has coastline along the South Atlantic and the Indian Ocean.
Covering 1,221,037 square kilometers, South Africa is the 24th largest country in the world. Its population is over 60 million, making it the world's 23rd most populous nation.
South Africa is renowned for its varied topography, great natural beauty, and cultural diversity, all of which have made the country a favored destination for travelers. It has several major cities including Cape Town (the legislative capital), Pretoria (the administrative capital), and Johannesburg (the largest city and economic hub).
The country has 11 official languages including Zulu, Xhosa, and Afrikaans, reflecting the country's multicultural nature.
South Africa is a parliamentary republic; however unlike most such republics the President is both head of state and head of government, and depends for his tenure on the confidence of Parliament.
The economy of South Africa is the second largest in Africa, after Nigeria. It is one of most industrialized countries in Africa. South Africa is an upper-middle-income economy, one of only eight such countries in Africa.
Despite this, South Africa has high rates of unemployment, poverty, and inequality. It also suffers from HIV/AIDS epidemic.
The country is rich in natural resources and is a leading producer of platinum, gold, chromium, and diamonds.
South Africa is famous for its wildlife and has numerous protected areas such as Kruger National Park.
The nation has a rich history, and is notably the place where the remains of some of the earliest human ancestors have been found. It experienced colonization by the Dutch and British and was subject to Apartheid – a policy of systemic racial segregation and discrimination – for much of the 20th century. Apartheid officially ended in 1994 with the election of Nelson Mandela as the country's first black President.
