South Africa — country of 11 official languages, 3 capitals, Big Five. 60 million inhabitants.
- South Africa has 11 official languages Zulu (24%), Xhosa (16%), Afrikaans (13%), English (10%) + 7 others. Most official languages in 1 country.
- South Africa has 3 capitals Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial). Unique in the world.
- Nelson Mandela — symbol of end of apartheid Imprisoned 27 years (Robben Island UNESCO). First black president of South Africa 1994. Peace Nobel 1993.
- Cape Town — Table Mountain 1085 m. One of 7 new natural wonders (2011). Cable car since 1929 (oldest in Africa).
- South Africa has 10 UNESCO sites Robben Island, Cradle of Humankind (3 mn years — oldest human remains), Mapungubwe, Drakensberg, Cape Floral Region.
- Kruger Park — South Africa's largest national park 20,000 km² (= Wales). Big Five + 147 mammals + 507 birds. Road network 1900 km.
- Cape Town has 1700 endemic plant species Most in 1 city in the world. Cape Floristic Region — UNESCO.
- South Africa produces 50% of global platinum + 35% of world's gold. Plus diamonds (De Beers companies). World's richest mineral deposits.
- South Africa banned apartheid in 1994 (legal segregation from 1948). First free elections 27.04.1994. Mandela 64.2% of votes.
- South Africa = Three Oceans Atlantic (west), Indian (east), Antarctic (south, Cape Agulhas — furthest point). Southern whales + great white sharks at False Bay.
Sources: Statistics South Africa, South African Tourism, UNESCO World Heritage.