South Africa

Introduction & Quick Facts
Land
- Relief
- Drainage
- Soils
- Climate
- Plant and animal life
  - Flora and fauna
  - Conservation
People
- Ethnic groups
- Languages
- Religion
- Settlement patterns
  - Rural settlement
  - Urban settlement
- Demographic trends
Economy
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing
- Resources and power
- Manufacturing
- Finance
- Trade
- Services
- Labor and taxation
- Transportation and telecommunications
  - Railways and roads
  - Air transport and shipping
  - Telecommunications
Government and society
- Constitutional framework
  - Constitutions through the 1980s
  - The 1996 constitution
- Local government
  - Provincial government
  - Municipal government
- Justice
- Political process
- Security
- Health and welfare
- Housing
- Education
  - Primary and secondary schools
  - Higher education
Cultural life
- Daily life and social customs
- The arts
  - Music
  - Art
  - Literature
    - Black literature
    - Afrikaans literature
    - Anglophone literature
    - Multicultural literature
  - Theater
  - Film
- Cultural institutions
- Sports and recreation
- Media and publishing
History
- Prehistory
  - The Early Stone Age
  - The Middle Stone Age
  - The Late Stone Age
  - Pastoralism and early agriculture
- The Iron Age
  - Iron Age sites
  - First urban centers
  - Europeans in South Africa
- Settlement of the Cape Colony
- Growth of the colonial economy
- Increased European presence (c. 1810–35)
  - British occupation of the Cape
  - The Delagoa Bay slave trade
  - Emergence of the eastern states
- The expansion of European colonialism (c. 1835–70)
  - The Great Trek
  - The British in Natal
  - Attempts at Boer consolidation
  - The Cape economy
  - Disputes in the north and east
  - The Zulu after Shaka
  - The decline of the African states
- Diamonds, gold, and imperialist intervention (1870–1902)
  - Diamonds and confederation
  - Afrikaner and African politics in the Cape
  - Gold mining
  - The road to war
  - The South African War (1899–1902)
- Reconstruction, union, and segregation (1902–29)
  - Milner and reconstruction
  - Convention and union
  - Black, Coloured, and Indian political responses
  - Union and disunity
  - Afrikaner rebellion and nationalism
  - Segregation
  - The Pact years (1924–33)
- The apartheid years
  - The intensification of apartheid in the 1930s
  - World War II
  - The National Party and apartheid
  - Resistance to apartheid
  - The unraveling of apartheid
- Postapartheid South Africa
  - The Mandela presidency
    - Transition to majority rule
    - The Truth and Reconciliation Commission
  - The Mbeki presidency
    - Corruption charges against deputy president Zuma
    - Mbeki steps down
  - The Zuma presidency
    - The 2009 national election
    - Economic problems, social discontent, Nkandla scandal, and the death of Mandela
    - The 2014 national election
    - University fees protests
    - Controversy: the Gupta family, Nkandla, and corruption charges revisited
    - Zuma’s resignation
  - The Ramaphosa presidency
    - Accomplishments and challenges
    - The 2019 national election
    - COVID-19
    - “Farmgate” controversy and investigations
    - The 2024 national election

References & Edit History Facts & Stats

Images, Videos & Interactives

Political map of South Africa showing national boundaries, major cities, and surrounding countries including Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, and Lesotho. The map highlights cities such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, and Pretoria, with the Atlantic and Indian Oceans bordering the country. An inset locator map shows South Africa's position at the southern tip of Africa.

Map of southern Africa highlighting South Africa in tan, with neighboring countries Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, and Lesotho labeled, as well as the surrounding Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Cape Town is marked on the southwestern coast.

Panoramic view of Cape Town, South Africa, showing the city's skyline, harbor, and Table Mountain with a cloud covering its summit.

Physical map of South Africa highlighting major landforms, mountain ranges, plateaus, national parks, and rivers. Neighboring countries Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Eswatini are shown, as well as the enclaved country of Lesotho. Key features include the Kalahari Desert, Great Escarpment, Drakensberg Mountains, and notable parks such as Kruger National Park and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The map includes a small locator inset showing South Africa's position at the southern tip

Green slopes and rugged peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains in South Africa under a cloudy sky.

A herd of Burchell's zebra (Equus burchelli) stands in tall green grass with a backdrop of hills at Umfolozi Game Reserve, South Africa.

A hippopotamus at Kruger National Park in South Africa

At a Glance

default image

South Africa summary

South Africa: Media

country, Africa

Videos

Are there too many elephants in Kruger National Park?

Are there too many elephants in Kruger National Park?

Learn about challenges of elephant conservation as faced in South Africa's Kruger...

Video: Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © Ecophoto/Dreamstime.com

Behold South Africa's Drakensberg mountain range and learn about its varied culture and history

Behold South Africa's Drakensberg mountain range and learn about its varied culture and history

An introduction to South Africa, with a focus on its geography and history.

Video: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

History of diamond mining in South Africa

History of diamond mining in South Africa

A history of diamond mining in South Africa.

Video: Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © Kanpisut Chaichalor/Dreamstime.com

The ancient kingdom hidden in Mapungubwe National Park

The ancient kingdom hidden in Mapungubwe National Park

Overview of Mapungubwe National Park, Limpopo province, South Africa.

Video: Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © Maximiliane Wagner/Dreamstime.com

Video thumbnail image shows Black South African schoolchildren standing behind a fence.

How Did Apartheid Change South Africa?

More than three decades after apartheid, South Africa is still considered the most...

Video: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Robben Island: From prison to World Heritage site

Robben Island: From prison to World Heritage site

Learn about Robben Island, home to the South African maximum security prison in which...

Video: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

What Is the Vuvuzela?

What Is the Vuvuzela?

Overview of the vuvuzela, a horn that is popular with South African football (soccer)...

Video: Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © Patrick Allen/Dreamstime.com

The video thumbnail image shows a black and white image of Chief Albert John Mvumbi Luthuli.

How Albert Luthuli Shaped South Africa's Apartheid Resistance

“I have the feeling that I have been made answerable for the future of the people...

Video: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Nelson Mandela: From shepherd to president

“In my country we go to prison first and then become President.”

Video: Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © Attila Jandi/Dreamstime.com

Where did human evolution begin?

Where did human evolution begin?

Learn about the Australopithecus genus.

Video: Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz

How do countries choose their capital cities?

How do countries choose their capital cities?

Learn more about how countries decide where to locate their capital cities.

Video: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.

Images

South Africa

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Political map of South Africa showing national boundaries, major cities, and surrounding countries including Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, and Lesotho. The map highlights cities such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, and Pretoria, with the Atlantic and Indian Oceans bordering the country. An inset locator map shows South Africa's position at the southern tip of Africa.

South Africa

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Map of southern Africa highlighting South Africa in tan, with neighboring countries Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, and Lesotho labeled, as well as the surrounding Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Cape Town is marked on the southwestern coast.

South Africa

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Panoramic view of Cape Town, South Africa, showing the city's skyline, harbor, and Table Mountain with a cloud covering its summit.

Cape Town

An aerial view of Cape Town, South Africa.

© Digital Vision/Getty Images

Physical map of South Africa highlighting major landforms, mountain ranges, plateaus, national parks, and rivers. Neighboring countries Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Eswatini are shown, as well as the enclaved country of Lesotho. Key features include the Kalahari Desert, Great Escarpment, Drakensberg Mountains, and notable parks such as Kruger National Park and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The map includes a small locator inset showing South Africa's position at the southern tip

South Africa

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Green slopes and rugged peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains in South Africa under a cloudy sky.

Drakensberg mountains

Part of the Great Escarpment, the Drakensberg mountains separate the extensive high...

© René Paul Gosselin/Dreamstime.com

aloe plants

aloe plants

Tall aloe plants grow in Eastern Cape province of South Africa.

Graphic House/Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

A herd of Burchell's zebra (Equus burchelli) stands in tall green grass with a backdrop of hills at Umfolozi Game Reserve, South Africa.

zebras

A herd of zebras grazing in one of South Africa's many wildlife reserves.

© Stockbyte/Getty Images

A hippopotamus at Kruger National Park in South Africa

A hippopotamus at Kruger National Park in South Africa

A hippopotamus rearing its head above water in Kruger National Park, South Africa....

© Digital Vision/Getty Images

Map showing the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park spanning the borders of Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. The core area of the park is outlined in red and includes Kruger National Park in South Africa, Limpopo National Park in Mozambique, and Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe. Additional national parks and monuments in the region are also marked, with a locator map of Africa in the bottom right corner for geographic context.

Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Map of South Africa showing the locations and boundaries of Bantustan territories during apartheid, with each Bantustan-such as Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, Gazankulu, KaNgwane, KwaNdebele, KwaZulu, Lebowa, Qwaqwa, Transkei, and Venda-highlighted in different colors. The map also marks historical province boundaries and major cities.

A map of the territories known as Bantustans (also known as Black homelands or Black states) established in South Africa during the apartheid era

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Cape Town

Cape Town

An aerial view of Cape Town, South Africa.

© Digital Vision/Getty Images

Johannesburg

Johannesburg

The skyline of Johannesburg, Gauteng province, South Africa.

© Mark Atkins/Fotolia

South African 200-rand banknote

South African 200-rand banknote

South African 200-rand banknote (reverse).

Courtesy of Ron Wise

Rows of grapevines in a vineyard near Cape Town, South Africa, with a white farmhouse in the distance and mountains in the background.

vineyard near Cape Town

A vineyard near Cape Town, South Africa. The wine regions in Western Cape province...

© Timwege/Dreamstime.com

Map of South Africa showing provincial boundaries, names of all provinces, and locations of national, provincial, and traditional capitals. Major cities such as Cape Town, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, and Bloemfontein are marked, with a small locator map in the corner indicating South Africa's position on the continent.

South African provinces

Provinces of South Africa.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Ndebele house in South Africa decorated with bold geometric patterns and bright colors, featuring intricate traditional artwork on its exterior walls.

Ndebele house

Traditional artwork adorns a Ndebele house, South Africa.

© Denys Denysevych/Dreamstime.com

A serving of bobotie, a baked South African dish with spiced minced meat and a golden egg-based topping, plated on a bed of fresh green lettuce leaves.

bobotie

Bobotie, a type of meat pie eaten in South Africa.

© Alexander Mychko/Dreamstime.com

Athol Fugard sits in the center with John Kani on the left and Winston Ntshona on the right; all three are seated closely together outdoors.

Athol Fugard (center)

South African dramatist Athol Fugard sitting between actors John Kani (left) and...

Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Entrance gate to Robben Island Prison in South Africa, with a sign reading Robbeneiland and We Serve With Pride above stone buildings and a paved path leading inside.

former prison on Robben Island

Entrance to the former prison on Robben Island, South Africa.

© tholi75/stock.adobe.com

Robben Island Prison

Robben Island Prison

A replica of the Robben Island cell in which Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, at the...

Rodger Bosch/MediaClubSouthAfrica.com (www.mediaclubsouthafrica.com)

Robben Island

Robben Island

Robben Island in Table Bay, north of Cape Town, South Africa, was once home to a...

© steve_is_on_holiday/iStock.com

South Africa's Francois Steyn runs with the ball during the rugby World Cup final against England, with teammates and an England player in pursuit on a crowded stadium field.

2007 Rugby Union World Cup final match

South Africa's Francois Steyn (center) running with the ball during the 2007 Rugby...

© Grosremy/Dreamstime.com

Mandela and Pienaar

Mandela and Pienaar

South African Pres. Nelson Mandela (left) congratulating South African rugby team...

Jean-Pierre Muller—AFP/Getty Images

Paranthropus robustus

Paranthropus robustus

A pair of fossils belonging to the extinct hominid species Paranthropus robustus,...

© Mike Hutchings/Reuters

Illustration of the Jameson Raid showing British soldiers in a chaotic battle scene with fallen men and horses around cannons, some soldiers on horseback and others fighting on foot.

Jameson Raid: Defeat at Doornkop

Illustration depicting the defeat of Leander Starr Jameson and his troops at Doornkop...

© Universal History Archive—Universal Images Group/Getty images

South African War: Boer troops

South African War: Boer troops

Boer troops lining up in battle against the British during the South African War...

Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group/REX/Shutterstock.com

Boer siege of Ladysmith

Boer siege of Ladysmith

The Boer siege of Ladysmith (now uMnambithi), 1900, during the South African War...

Photos.com/Thinkstock

prison; Robben Island

prison; Robben Island

Robben Island prison, South Africa, which operated as a maximum-security prison,...

© Rex_Wholster/iStock.com

Soweto Uprising, June 21, 1976

Soweto Uprising, June 21, 1976

South African rioters using cars as roadblocks during an uprising in Soweto, South...

Keystone—Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Nelson Mandela stands at a podium with both hands raised, smiling, during Walter Sisulu's funeral at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg.

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela, 2003.

© Alexander Joe—AFP/Getty Images

Nelson Mandela: 1994 election

Nelson Mandela: 1994 election

Nelson Mandela voting in South Africa's historic 1994 election, the first time in...

JOHN PARKIN/AP Images

Thabo Mbeki

Thabo Mbeki

South African politician Thabo Mbeki, who served as president of the African National...

© Gläser—ullstein bild/Getty Images

Jacob Zuma

Jacob Zuma

The president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, speaking at the Sports for Peace Gala,...

Sportsforpeace

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, wearing a dark pinstripe suit and tie, speaks at a podium with a South African flag in the background.

Cyril Ramaphosa

The president of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, speaking in Pretoria, South Africa,...

© Phil Magakoe—AFP/Getty Images

racially restricted beach in apartheid-era South Africa

racially restricted beach in apartheid-era South Africa

Sign at a beach in Durban, South Africa, in 1989, during the apartheid era. It restricted...

Guinnog (cc-by-sa-3.0)

Flag of South Africa (1928–94).

Flag of South Africa (1928–94).

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

South Africa, Republic of

South Africa, Republic of

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Audio

National anthem of South Africa

The instrumental version of the national anthem of South Africa.

Interactives

South Africa: Ethnic composition

South Africa: Ethnic composition

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

South Africa: Religious affiliation

South Africa: Religious affiliation

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

South Africa: Urban-rural

South Africa: Urban-rural

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

South Africa: Age breakdown

South Africa: Age breakdown

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

South Africa: Major export destinations

South Africa: Major export destinations

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

South Africa: Major import sources

South Africa: Major import sources

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

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