south africa fast facts

Official Name: Republic of South Africa

Population: 47,556,900

Capital City: Pretoria (1.5 million), Cape Town (3.2 million) is the legislative centre, and Bloemfontein (350,000) is the judicial centre.

Government: Republic & Independent member of the British Commonwealth

Government Leader: President Thabo Mbeki (Head of State)

Languages: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu - all (official)

Official Currency: Rand (ZAR)

National Day: 27 April; Freedom Day

Population Mix: African (77%), White (11%), Coloured (9%), Other (3%)

Time Zone: GMT/UTC +2

Daylight Saving: Not in use

Religions: Christian (68%), others

Land Area: 1,221,040 sq km (471,443 sq miles)

Latitude/Longitude: 25? 73'S, 28? 22'E

Heighest Point: Njesuthi (11,181 ft.) (3,408 m)
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