Destination SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa is a rainbow nation of cultures, languages, development and countryside. "Credit card Africa" best describes it because you'll fly into either Johannesburg or Cape Town, Africa's largest extended urban areas, and feel that you're in any international city. Sophisticated cafes, elegant stores, fine theaters, galleries with local art. The feeling is modern, chic and competitive. Things work.

There is a lot to do: luxuriate on the Blue Train; feel sophisticated in Cape Town; sip wine in a world acclaimed vineyard; hire a car and drive the spectacular garden route; experience a Kruger Park lodge where you can capture the big five in a day or rush off to Madikwe for a quick malaria-free game experience.

If your aim is to have a cosmopolitan atmosphere and experience Africa's beauty and wild game, South Africa is place.

  • Full name: Republic of South Africa
  • Population: 48.6m (UN, 2007)
  • Capitals: Pretoria (executive capital); Cape Town (legislative capital); Bloemfontein (judicial capital)
  • Largest city: Johannesburg
  • Area: 1.22m sq km
  • Languages: 11 official languages including English, Afrikaans, Sesotho, Setswana, Xhosa and Zulu
  • Money: 1 Rand = 100 cents
  • Main exports: Gold, diamonds, metals and minerals, cars, machinery
  • GNI per capita: US $5,760 (World Bank, 2007)
  • Internet domain: .za
  • International dialing code: +27