South Africa is known for many things, especially pertaining to its history, culture, diverse population, and physical features.
The area that is now South Africa has been inhabited for nearly the entire known existence of human beings and their ancestors, and is home to many paleoanthropological and anthropological sites. The country is also known for the history of its Indigenous people, such as the Khoe, San, Ndebele, Xhosa, and Zulu, the period of European colonialism from the 17th century on, the apartheid era of racial segregation and discrimination in the last half of the 20th century, and the post-apartheid era since the repeal of discriminatory legislation in the early 1990s.
The country is home to many different ethnic groups. In addition to the many Indigenous groups that were present before the commencement of colonization, there are descendants of European settlers who began arriving in the 17th century, primarily of Dutch or British descent; descendants of Indians and other Asians who came to the region as indentured workers beginning in the 19th century; and people of mixed ancestry. South Africa’s cultural diversity is reflected in its languages, of which 12 have been designated official languages under the country’s current constitution: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, South African Sign Language, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, and Zulu. Additionally, the constitution directs the government to promote and protect more than a dozen other languages used in South Africa.
South Africa is known for its vibrant arts and music, for its many cultural and historical institutions, and for having an active national sports scene. The country’s national teams, such as the Springboks (men’s rugby), Bafana Bafana (men’s football), Banyana Banyana (women’s football), and the Proteas (men’s cricket), are well known.
South Africa boasts diverse natural landmarks and wildlife. The Drakensberg mountain range stretches 700 miles, forming a dramatic landscape with peaks of more than 11,400 feet. Table Mountain, which overlooks Cape Town, is known for its unique flat top and rich plant life. Part of the Kalahari Desert spans the northern part of the country and supports varied wildlife. The Cape Floral Region, particularly the fynbos scrubland, showcases exceptional plant diversity. There are several national parks in the country.