South Africa profile

Hout Bay, near Cape Town

Sun and sea: Hout Bay near Cape Town

  • Full name: Republic of South Africa

  • Population: 50.7 million (UN, 2012)

  • Capitals: Pretoria (executive capital); Cape Town (legislative capital); Bloemfontein (judicial capital)

  • Largest city: Johannesburg

  • Area: 1.22 million sq km (470,693 sq miles)

  • Major languages: 11 official languages including English, Afrikaans, Sesotho, Setswana, Xhosa and Zulu

  • Major religion: Christianity, Islam, indigenous beliefs

  • Life expectancy: 53 years (men), 54 years (women)

  • Monetary unit: 1 Rand = 100 cents

  • Main exports: Gold, diamonds, metals and minerals, cars, machinery

  • GNI per capita: US $6,960 (World Bank, 2011)

  • Internet domain: .za

  • International dialling code: +27