South Africa is a multicultural southern African republic with three capital cities, 11 official languages, the post-apartheid 'Rainbow Nation' identity, and landscapes from the Cape winelands to Kruger National Park.
Geography & landscape
South Africa sits in Southern Africa, in the southern hemisphere of Africa. With an area of approximately 1,221,037 km², it is a continental-scale country, set in the southern hemisphere and exposed to the sub-tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Pretoria, lies near coordinates -29°, 24°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Africa, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Southern Africa region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across South Africa.
People & society
The population of South Africa is around 60M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is 11 official languages, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
South Africa is structured as a parliamentary republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Pretoria, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of South Africa is the South African Rand (ZAR). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Pretoria and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of South Africa shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet South Africa through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Pretoria, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +27, and clocks are set to the SAST (UTC+2) time zone. ISO standards identify South Africa as ZA (alpha-2) and ZAF (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇿🇦, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Pretoria | — |
| Continent | Africa | — |
| Sub-region | Southern Africa | — |
| Population | 60M | people |
| Area | 1,221,037 | km² |
| Currency | South African Rand (ZAR) | — |
| Calling code | +27 | international dialling |
| Time zone | SAST (UTC+2) | standard time |
| Government type | Parliamentary republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | ZA | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | ZAF | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | -29 | degrees |
| Longitude | 24 | degrees |
Did you know?
South Africa is the only country in the world with three capital cities — Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative), and Bloemfontein (judicial).
