Interesting Facts, History and Geography

South Africa at a glance

Area: 1.2 million sq km

Population: 47.4 million

Time: GMT + 2 hrs

Official Name: Republic of South Africa

Capitals: Cape Town (legislative), Pretoria (administrative), Bloemfontein (Judical)

Head of State: President Jacob Zuma

Religion: Predominantly Christian. Freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution.

Languages: 11 official languages. English preferred language of business.

Exports: Gold, minerals, diamonds, metals, foods, autos, automative components.

Imports: Machinery, transport equipment, manufactured goods, Chemicals, oil.

History

1488 - Bartholomew Diaz lands in Mossel Bay - First European

1652 - Dutch East India Company establishes a sttlement in the Cape under Jan van Riebeeck.

1688 - Farmers start moving East to sttle farms - First clashes with the Khoikhoi.

1779 - First frontier war between Xhosa and White Settlers.

1795 - Britain annexes Cape.

1803 - Cape returns to Batavian Repuplic

1806 - Britain re-occupies the CApe

1867 - First Diamonds discovered

1990 - ANC are unbanned, Nelson Mandela released.

1994 - ANC wins country's first non racial election.

1994 - Nelson Mandela becomes country's first black president.

1994 - South Africa rejoins common wealth

1999 - Thaba Mbeki succeeds Nelson Mandela

2009 - Jacob Zuma succeeds Thaba Mbeki