ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa, situated on the southern most tip of Africa, has a coastline of some 2500 kilometers across the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean bordering Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, South Africa has a variety of climatic zones from desert to subtropical, the north west close to Namibia is drier and more desert like, while the eastern side is more well-watered, the south west has a more Mediterranean like climate with wet winters and hot dry summers, the wind blows almost all year in this region, South Africa has become a very large producer of wines, some of the finest vineyards can be found in the valleys.
South Africa has experienced levels of immigration from Europe not experienced in other parts of Africa's communities; the population of South Africa is approximately 44.8 million, with three quarters being black South Africans. Europeans and Indians make up the other quarter; the economy in South Africa is the best developed and largest on the continent with a modern infrastructure, local currency in South Africa is the Rand. Officially eleven different languages are spoken in South Africa including Zulu, Afrikaans and English, most Africans are Christians by religion, but many more religions exist due to the increase in immigration.
Johannesburg, is the biggest city in South Africa, due to its closeness with the mineral rich Witwatersrand hills, has a large gold and diamond trade and is a member of the World Gold Panning Association. Johannesburg also has the largest International Airport in Africa, Soweto is situated south of Johannesburg, and is home to two Nobel Peace Prize winners, former Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and former President Nelson Mandela, it has a population of around two million people, visitors are invited to Shebeen (drinking hall) to sample traditional food, drink and South African hospitality. South Africa has traditional food fare not found anywhere else, many visitors to South Africa will find much of the cuisine is meat based although fish such as Salmon and Crayfish can be found on menu's, biltong (dried salted meat), bobotie (similar to shepherds pie) and boerewors (hand made sausages), are all indigenous delicacies and can be found in most restaurants and cafes in South Africa. Meats such as crocodile, ostrich, warthog, guinea fowl and goat are all traditional fare, along the restaurant lined streets International cuisine can be found including Indian, Italian and Thai.
Kruger National Park in South Africa is the size of Israel and is home to Elephants, Lions Leopards, Rhino and Buffalo, South Africa has some of the most spectacular scenery and over 20,000 species of plants with very few forests. Robben island has become an historical site, once home to many prisoners such as Nelson Mandela, former inmates now take groups of tourists on sight seeing trips around the prison. The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park is the newest national park in South Africa, with its huge lake system it is possible to see whales as well as rhinos, elephants and many other animals large and small.
