South Africa: Geography, Diversity, History, and Economy
The Republic of South Africa: Geography and Demographics
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by 2,798 kilometres (1,739 mi) of coastline stretching along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans.[9][10][11]
To the north, South Africa borders Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe; and to the east and northeast, it borders Mozambique and Eswatini (Swaziland). It also surrounds the enclaved country of Lesotho.[12]
South Africa is the largest country in Southern Africa and the 24th-largest country in the world by land area. With over 58 million people, it is also the world’s 24th-most populous nation. It is the southernmost country on the mainland of the Old World or the Eastern Hemisphere.
A Nation of Diverse Ancestry and Languages
About 80 percent of South Africans are of Bantu ancestry,[5] divided among a variety of ethnic groups speaking different African languages, nine of which have official status.[11] The remaining population consists of Africa’s largest communities of:
- European ancestry
- Asian (Indian) ancestry[13]
- Multiracial (Coloured) ancestry
Society, Culture, and Political History
South Africa is a multiethnic society encompassing a wide variety of cultures, languages, and religions. Its pluralistic makeup is reflected in the constitution’s recognition of 11 official languages, which is the fourth-highest number in the world.[11]
Official Languages and Colonial Legacy
Two of these official languages are of European origin:
- Afrikaans: Developed from Dutch, it serves as the first language of most Coloured and white South Africans.
- English: Reflects the legacy of British colonialism and is commonly used in public and commercial life, though it is fourth-ranked as a spoken first language.
The Struggle Against Apartheid
The country is one of the few in Africa never to have had a coup d’état, and regular elections have been held for almost a century. However, the vast majority of black South Africans were not enfranchised until 1994.
During the 20th century, the black majority sought to claim more rights from the dominant white minority. This struggle played a large role in the country’s recent history and politics. The National Party imposed apartheid in 1948, institutionalizing previous racial segregation.
Following a long and sometimes violent struggle by the African National Congress (ANC) and other anti-apartheid activists both inside and outside the country, the repeal of discriminatory laws began in the mid-1980s.
Post-Apartheid Era and Economic Status
Since 1994, all ethnic and linguistic groups have held political representation in the country’s liberal democracy, which comprises a parliamentary republic and nine provinces. South Africa is often referred to as the “rainbow nation” to describe the country’s multicultural diversity, especially in the wake of apartheid.[14]
Economic Profile and Challenges
The World Bank classifies South Africa as an upper-middle-income economy and a newly industrialized country.[15][16]
Key economic facts:
- Its economy is the second-largest in Africa, and the 33rd-largest in the world.
- In terms of purchasing power parity, South Africa has the seventh-highest per capita income and the seventh-highest human development index in Africa.
However, poverty and inequality remain widespread, with about a quarter of the population unemployed and living on less than US$1.25 a day.[17][18]
International Influence
South Africa has been identified as a middle power in international affairs and maintains significant regional influence.[19][20]