Population North America The total population of North America exceeds 550 million people. The bulk of it is made up of residents of the USA, Mexico and Canada. The region's population is increasing both due to natural growth (the highest rates are in the Caribbean countries) and due to large-scale migrations from other regions (mainly Asia, Europe and South America). North America to […]
Population of South America Just over 400 million people live in South America. This is the “youngest” region in the world: middle age The population is about 30 years old. The share of the population from 15 to 64 years old is 66%. The rapid rate of population growth affected its density - 22 people/sq. km. Average duration The life expectancy of the population is high - 74 years. Literacy […]
Population Due to the characteristics of settlement and diversity natural environment Three main races formed in Africa - Negroid (black), Caucasoid (white) and Mongoloid (yellow). The bulk of the indigenous population are representatives of the Negroid race. Of the 3 thousand peoples of Africa, only 30 have more than 5 million people. Most of North Africa is inhabited by Arabs and Berbers. The most difficult […]
Demography is the science of population. The world population is the totality of people living on Earth. Currently, the world population exceeds 7 billion people. The population is constantly growing. Over the past 1000 years, the population on Earth has increased 20 times. At the time of Columbus the population was only 500 million people. Currently, approximately every […]
The population of a country is defined as a specific historical community of people living in at the moment time on its territory. IN economic geography it is studied as the main goal and driving force economic development, acting as both a consumer of its products, creating demand for it, and a source of labor resources. Therefore, the number, dynamics, composition and distribution of the population are a constant, long-acting factor in the development of the economy and its territorial […]
Germany's population is about 20 million larger than each of the other three leading countries Foreign Europe- France, Great Britain and Italy. Of the 82 million citizens of modern Germany, more than 90% are ethnic Germans. Among the peoples historically living in the country, we must name the Lusatian Serbs, or Lusatians (about 100 thousand), occupying mainly the lands of Brandenburg and Saxony, and the Danes […]
Geopolitically and economically, Africa is divided into two parts: North Africa and Tropical Africa. North Africa includes a territory (an area of about 10 million sq. km with a population of 170 million people) adjacent to the Mediterranean, inhabited mainly by Arabs professing Islam. The countries located in this territory (Algeria, Egypt, Western Sahara, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia), due to their geographical […]
The region's population is more than 820 million people. With an average density of 25 people per 1 sq. km, the population is distributed very unevenly across Africa. Most densely populated sea coasts, coastal islands, lower reaches of the Nile and Niger rivers, mining regions of South Africa, Zambia, Zaire and Zimbabwe. In these areas, the population density ranges from 50 to 1000 people per 1 sq. […]
The settlement of South America by humans ended later than other continents - only 12-15 thousand years ago. It is impossible to say unambiguously how the mainland was populated. Most likely, man entered America from Asia. This happened during the Late Paleolithic - about 35 thousand years ago. During this era on Earth there was ice age, and the Bering Strait, connecting Eurasia and […]
In 1991 - 1995 The population of the entire region increased annually by 2.8%, that is, it grew more than twice as fast as in the rest of the planet. Africa now contains 13% of the world's population. But it must be borne in mind that in many African countries there is no accurate current count of the population, and its number is often judged by partial, local […]
The population of Africa is divided into two large parts: representatives of the Caucasian and Negroid races. The first live mainly in the north of the mainland; these are the Arabs inhabiting Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia. A small part of Caucasians are immigrants from European countries: Holland, Great Britain, living mainly in southern Africa. Indigenous people central and southern Africa - representatives of the Negroid race. There are many nationalities that differ in external [...]
About 300 million people live in South America. The racial and ethnic composition of the population is highly complex. This is explained primarily by the history of the settlement of the mainland. The indigenous population, which Europeans called Indians, belongs to the American branch of the Mongoloid race. They are believed to have come from North America about 20 thousand years ago. Gradually, numerous Indian tribes populated the entire continent. […]
The modern population of Africa belongs to three main races - Caucasoid, Equatorial and Mongoloid. And perhaps they all had the same common ancestors in the distant past! Archaeologists and anthropologists different countries(L. Leakey, K. Arambur, F. Howell, etc.) in the late 50s - early 70s. our century, conducted thorough research in East Africa and Ethiopia (Olduvai Gorge, eastern […]
Much of South America is exceptionally rich in flora. This is also related to modern natural conditions continent, and with the peculiarities of its development. The tropical flora of South America has developed since the end of the Mesozoic era. Its development has proceeded continuously until the present time, without being disrupted by glaciation or significant fluctuations in climatic conditions, as was the case on other continents. On the other hand […]
Africa is the second largest continent on Earth. Together with the islands belonging to it, it occupies an area of 30,284 thousand km2, the area of the mainland without islands is 29,200 thousand km2. The continent has a special geographical position: the equator crosses it almost in the middle, i.e. Africa is located almost symmetrically in the northern and southern hemispheres. For the most part the mainland is located in [...]
The continent occupies 1/5 of the globe's landmass and is second only to Eurasia in size. Population - over 600 million people. Currently, the continent is home to more than 50 sovereign states, most of which were colonies until the mid-20th century. European colonization began in this region in the 16th century. Ceuta and Melilla are rich cities in […]
The modern population of South America is anthropologically very diverse. It includes representatives of various races - American (indigenous people - Indians), Caucasoid (descendants of immigrants from Europe), Negroid (descendants of slaves taken from Africa), as well as numerous mixed groups - mestizos, mulattoes, sambo. Racial mixing in the countries of South America is proceeding at a rapid pace, and new […]
Latin America is a region with a rapidly growing population. In 1750, 1.6% of the world's population lived there, in 1900 - 4%, by 1970 - 8%, now it is estimated to be about 10%. Primitive man inhabited the territory Latin America in the period from the 17th to the 11th millennium BC. anthropologists identify 2 large groups of indigenous people […]
The population of the United States (Americans) is the result of a mixture of various racial and ethnic elements. The first inhabitants of the territory of the present United States were Indians. By the time of European colonization, up to 400 Indian tribes with a total number of about 2-3 million people who spoke 200 languages were settled in the United States. In the 16th and 17th centuries, European colonies began to form on Indian lands. Among people from [...]
Ethnic composition population of Africa The ethnic composition of the modern population of African countries is very complex. The continent is inhabited by several hundred large and small ethnic groups, 107 of which number more than 1 million people each, and 24 exceed 5 million people. The largest of them are: Egyptian, Algerian, Moroccan, Sudanese Arabs, Hausa, Yoruba, Fulani, Igbo, Amhara. Anthropological composition of the African population […]
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE, YOUTH AND SPORTS OF UKRAINE
Odessa National Academy of Food Technologies
Individual scientific work
By discipline
"International Economic Relations"
"South African Republic"
Completed:
4th year student, MiM-471
Suprunyuk Anna
Supervisor:
Dyukova I.V.
Odessa 2011
1. Brief historical background
2. Ethnic composition of the population
3. Religious features of Australia
4. National characteristics(mentality)
5. Structure of the Australian economy
6. Specifics of the Australian economy
7. Economic relations with other countries
8. Level state analysis economic development
9. Welfare of the population
List of used literature
Brief historical background
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, a state in southern Africa. It is washed by the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Area 1.2 million km2. The population as of 2011 was 49,004,031 people, including Africans (76%; Zulu, Xhosa, etc.), mestizos (9%), people from Europe (about 13%), mainly Afrikaners (Boers) and the British.
In South Africa, 11 languages of various nationalities and ethnic groups inhabiting the country have been approved as state languages: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Xhosa, Zulu, Pedi, Sutho, Tswana, Swazi, Venda, Tsonga. Almost 80% of the population of South Africa are adherents of the Christian faith. Other numerous religious groups are Hinduism, Islam and Judaism. A small part of the population does not give preference to any of the main religions, but considers themselves adherents of traditional beliefs or does not have any religious preferences at all.
Member of the Commonwealth. The head of state is the president. The legislative body is parliament (National Assembly). The capital of South Africa is Pretoria, Cape Town (the official capital); Bloemfontein (judicial capital) Administrative division: 9 provinces. The monetary unit is the rand.
The Republic of South Africa traces its history back to the first millennium AD. At this time, the territory where South Africa is now located was inhabited by Hottengoth tribes who were engaged in animal husbandry. In the middle of the 11th century they were driven out by the Bantu tribes. After this, the South African lands were inhabited by Bantu tribes for a long time. In the 17th century, Europeans came to South Africa - immigrants from the Netherlands and France, who gradually subjugated the lands of South Africa. In 1652 at the Cape Good Hope a settlement was founded. In 1797, England began to own the Cape Colony - that was the name of the land where South Africa is now located. In the second half of the 19th century, rich deposits were discovered in the Cape Colony, which is why emigrants began to flock there. The Anglo-Boer War took place in 1880-1881. The Boers, that is, the local population, won this war. Another Anglo-Boer War took place in 1899-1902. In 1910, the Union of South Africa was formed, which was subordinated to England. In 1948, all government policies were aimed at creating conditions for whites. Thus, the black population was infringed upon by the government in its rights. New policy authorities began to call it apartheid, and was abolished only at the end of the 20th century.
Ethnic composition of the population
The ethnic composition of the South African population is very complex. The oldest inhabitants of the country are the Bushmen, Hottentots and numerous nations language family Bantu. Found on rocks and in mountain caves of the southern coast rock paintings Bushmen thousands of years ago. Archaeological excavations discovered a number of Bantu settlements in the central regions of the country dating back to the 1st millennium AD.
The population of South Africa exceeds 49 million people (25th place in the world). South Africa is characterized by a very large diversity among the people inhabiting the country, both by race and nationality.
The majority of the population, about 80%, are black, belonging to various ethnic groups (Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Tswana, Sotho and others). This group also includes immigrants from other African countries (particularly Zimbabwe and Nigeria).
The white population makes up about 10% and is mainly made up of descendants of the Dutch, French, British and German settlers who began settling South Africa from the late 17th century; immigrants from Europe who arrived in South Africa in the twentieth century and Portuguese who moved to South Africa from the former Portuguese colonies in South Africa (Angola and Mozambique)
On English spoken by about 8.6% of the population. However, this language is widely used in official and business contacts.
Africans are the largest group (about 77% of the total population). The African population consists of Bantu, Bushmen and Hottentot peoples. As the Bantu moved south, they pushed back the Bushmen and Hottentots, who, having settled in the Transvaal and Orange Province, were partially assimilated among the Bantu. There are now very few Bushmen left, most of them living in the barren, malarial areas of the northwestern Kalahari.
The Bechuanas, numbering more than 0.5 million people, occupy the northeastern regions of the Cape Province and the Transvaal. In the areas of Natal and Transvaal adjacent to Mozambique, the Bavenda live, and in the north-western regions of the Cape Province, near the border with Namibia, Bantus can be found speaking the Herero language.
IN social life Africans have undergone significant changes: large patriarchal families have been replaced by small ones; the number of polygamous families has sharply decreased; Religious views have changed.
Instead of traditional tribal cults, European colonists imposed Christianity on the Bantu. In Bantustans, the long-established Bantu division of labor between men and women has been violated. If earlier men were engaged in cattle breeding, and women – in agriculture, now almost all work in bantustans is performed by women and old people. Young men are forced to spend most of their time working outside the Bantustans. Africans are the main labor force in the South African economy: 58.6% of employees in non-agricultural sectors and 84.9% in agriculture.
Whites (people of European descent) are the second largest group in the country's population (11%). Its core consists of Afrikaners, or Boers (about 60% of the European population), and the British (38%). People from other European countries and the Middle East also live in South Africa. The most numerous of them are Germans and Jews (1% each). The Jewish community in South Africa is one of the richest in the world. The spiritual kinship of the rulers of South Africa and Israel, the identity of the tasks assigned to them by world imperialism, explain the increasingly strengthening alliance between Pretoria and Tel Aviv.
Afrikaners, descendants of the first Dutch colonists, have long lost ties with the Netherlands and consider South Africa their homeland.
People of color (9%) are a highly heterogeneous population group. Three quarters of this group are actually people of color, whose racial identity is not possible to determine. These are descendants of mixed marriages of Europeans with representatives of the indigenous population of South Africa - mestizos. Along with them, this group includes the Cape Malays and others. Official South African statistics also incorrectly include the Bushmen and Hottentots here.
South Africa has a population of more than 47 million people. It is represented by people who belong to different races, cultures and religions.
National composition:
- blacks: Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Ndebele, immigrants from Nigeria and Zimbabwe (80%);
- whites: Dutch, Germans, French (10%);
- “colored” population: descendants of early settlers, their slaves and indigenous peoples of South Africa (8%);
- Asians (2%).
Currently, whites are trying to emigrate from South Africa: the reason lies in the outbreak of the AIDS epidemic (5 million people are infected with HIV) and high crime in cities. But at the same time, people living in other African countries, especially Zimbabweans, are immigrating here.
On average, 40 people live per km2, but the most densely populated areas are the southwestern (Cape Province) and northeastern regions, where Pretoria and the manufacturing and mining industries are located.
Official languages are English, Zulu, Afrikaans, Ndebele and others (11 in total).
Major cities: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria, Durban, East London.
Residents of South Africa mainly profess Christianity, but among them there are Hindus, Jews, and Muslims.
Lifespan
The country's male population lives on average up to 43 years, and the female population lives up to 41 years.
Low life expectancy is due to the inaccessibility of treatment and difficult socio-economic working conditions. The country has health services designed for people of different races, the level of medical care of which differs significantly from each other. Thus, the non-white population of the country is subjected to severe discrimination.
Most people die from drug use, AIDS (the most infected area is Natal) and skin cancer due to severe ultraviolet radiation.
Traditions and customs of the peoples of South Africa
Polygamy is legal in South Africa. Girls can become brides from the age of 13 (bride price is paid in cows). But, according to tradition, the tribe leader must give consent to their marriage.
The indigenous population of South Africa believes in legends and tales. For example, their diet does not include fish and seafood, since they are sure that the water is fraught with dangers and is inhabited by underwater inhabitants.
Life in South Africa is marked by contrast: in rural areas still live according to the traditions of their ancestors (the most important thing for people is family and caring for family members), and the main values of city residents are success and financial well-being(This is especially evident in the lives of residents of Johannesburg).
Arriving in South Africa, you will be able to purchase the results of the traditional crafts of the people of South Africa - beads and ceramics, carved wooden products, wicker baskets...
If you are invited to visit South Africa, do not forget to bring a gift for the host (wine, cigarettes, whiskey, souvenirs that are a symbol of your country).
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Africa Tur → Reference materials → EAST AND SOUTH AFRICA → Population of South AfricaPopulation of South Africa
It is difficult to find a country on the globe where the national question has become as acute and topical as in South Africa. People with non-white skin color - the absolute majority of the country's population - are subjected to strong national oppression here. The non-European population, which makes up the bulk of South Africa's labor force, is brutally exploited by local and foreign monopolies.
In South Africa you can meet representatives of a wide variety of races and nationalities, hear English, French, German speech, the melodious dialect of the Bantu peoples, and the “clicking” sounds of the languages of the Bushmen and Hottentots. But more often you can hear Afrikaans, which developed on the basis of ancient Dutch dialects and is very different from the modern Dutch language. Such ethnic and linguistic diversity is the result of the complex history of the formation of the country's population.
South Africa is an exception among other African countries in its high proportion of people of European descent - about 50% of the country's total population. Other characteristic feature- a relatively high proportion of people from Asian countries - approximately 3% of the population. This part of it is subject to brutal exploitation, just like the local African population. National and class interests. African and other racial groups of the non-white population basically coincide, which objectively creates a common platform for their joint struggle.
Discovery in the second half of the 19th century. The richest deposits of gold and diamonds in the interior regions contributed to their rapid settlement and development. In less than a quarter of a century, the white population of southern Africa has grown 20-fold. Immigration still exists today. It has noticeably decreased in lately, although the government encourages skilled labor from Europe to enter the country.
The number of immigrants arriving annually does not exceed 1% of the total
the size of the white population. Previously, the majority were immigrants from Great Britain, but now their number has noticeably decreased, but the number of immigrants from Germany and the Netherlands has increased (many former Nazis also found refuge in South Africa).
Now the population of South Africa is growing mainly due to natural growth, and its rate, especially among the non-European population, is significant (2.5-3% per year). The entire population of South Africa is officially divided into 4 groups: Africans* (according to 1979 estimates, 21.1 million), whites (4.7 million), mestizo, or, according to the official terminology adopted in South Africa, “colored” ( 2.6 million) and people of Asian origin (0.8 million).
Fearing the unification of the national liberation forces in the country, the government artificially seeks to divide individual ethnic groups, preserve ancestral remnants among Africans, incite national hatred between different peoples.
Bantu are the largest ethnic group in South Africa. It accounts for over 70% of the total population. The Bantu speak several languages, the most important of which are Zulu, Xhosa, Sutho, Tswana and Swazi. The Zulu, Xhosa and Swazi languages are closely related and are usually grouped into a group of languages called Nguni.
Significant changes took place in Bantu social life. Large patriarchal families gave way to small ones; the number of polygamous families has sharply decreased; Religious views have changed. Instead of traditional tribal cults, European colonists imposed Christianity on the Bantu. In Bantustans, the long-established Bantu division of labor between men and women has also been violated. Previously, men were engaged in cattle breeding, and women – in agriculture, but now almost all the work in Bantustans is performed by women and old people. Young men are forced to spend most of their time working outside the Bantustans.
Until now, the main clothing in Bantustans remains loincloths and “karossa” capes. Only the traditional karossams made from the skins of wild animals were replaced by karossams made from blankets.
Europeans are the second largest ethnic group. Its core consists of Afrikaners, or Boers (about 60% of the European population), and the British (38%). People from other European countries and the Middle East also live in South Africa. The most numerous of them are Germans and Jews (1% each). Jewish community in
South Africa is one of the richest in the world. The spiritual kinship of the rulers of South Africa and Israel, the identity of the tasks assigned to them by world imperialism, explain the increasingly strengthening alliance between Pretoria and Tel Aviv.
Afrikaners have long lost ties with the Netherlands and consider South Africa their homeland. In contrast, the British maintain close ties with Great Britain. First of all, this is expressed in the commonality of the language. At the same time, language is one of the significant differences between Afrikaners and the British. Both Afrikaans and English are recognized as official languages in South Africa. Even in schools, teaching is often conducted in parallel in two languages. Afrikaners and the British also differ in religion. Afrikaners belong to the Dutch Reformed Church, and the British belong to the Anglican, Lutheran, etc.
The historical distinction between the spheres of activity between these ethnic groups is now disappearing. Previously, the Boers were predominantly farmers and pastoralists and lived on isolated farms. The British mainly settled in cities, where they were engaged in trade and industry. Over the past quarter century, the process of mastering the Afrikaners has intensified key positions in various industries. Afrikaners predominate in the police, army and civil servants.
The "colored" group has a very diverse ethnic composition. It includes the Cape Coloureds, Hottentots, Bushmen, Malays, Zanzibaris and the whole group constitutes the Cape Coloureds, whose racial identity is uncertain. Singling them into a special group is artificial and has no linguistic or cultural basis. "Cape Coloreds" appeared at the dawn of European colonization as a result of intermarriage between Europeans and the indigenous people of southern Africa. In 1949, nationalists passed a law banning marriages between members of different racial groups. But even now about U3 of South African whites have an admixture of African blood.
An ethnic group of people of Asian origin began to form only in the 60s of the 19th century, when contracted agricultural workers from India began to be imported to southern Africa to expand sugar cane plantations in Natal and due to a lack of skilled labor. In less than half a century, from 1870 to 1911, the number of imported Indians reached 100 thousand.
Various ethnic groups in South Africa have their own territorial centers. Thus, the most “English” is the province of Natal, the “Afrikaner” ones are Transvaal and Orange, greatest number Mestizos live in the Cape Province.
The economically active population makes up approximately 40% of the total population. Around Uz he works in agriculture, followed by the service sector, manufacturing and mining. The non-white population is employed mainly in those sectors of the economy where labor is most difficult and exhausting. At the same time, among non-Europeans there is a large number of actually unemployed. Persons who are on public service, - mainly Europeans. South Africa has the largest police force in Africa and regular army, consisting mostly of whites.
South Africa is experiencing an acute shortage of skilled labor, which is explained primarily by the apartheid policy: the “color barrier” deprives non-whites of the opportunity to obtain high qualifications and perform more complex and highly paid jobs.
The working class accounts for 44 of the country's population. Urban workers - Africans and other non-whites - are the most revolutionary part of the South African working class.
Over 75% of whites live in cities. Almost half of them are concentrated in the south of the Transvaal - in the Witwatersrand industrial region. Most of the rural population of European origin lives in the south and southwest of the Cape Province, an area of intensive agriculture. Some areas of the Namib and Kalahari deserts are almost deserted, and in the vast arid spaces of the internal plateau, settlements are located mainly along river valleys and in areas of artificial irrigation.
Sharp contrasts are presented by the deserted Cape Mountains and the densely populated fertile valleys adjacent to them in the west with orchards and vineyards, the swampy river valley. Limpopo and the mining centers of the Bushveld, the Drakensberg and the valleys of the Natal foothills.
The process of industrialization resulted in a rapid increase in the urban population in post-war years. Mining centers are growing, both old ones - the cities of the Witwatersrand, and new ones: Phala Borwa, Saishen, Prisca, etc. Their rapid growth is largely due to the immigration of the African and “colored” population, and not only the male population of Bantustans comes here in search of work , but also residents of other countries in Southern and Eastern Africa (Lesotho, Botswana, Malawi, etc.). A significant number of Africans living in cities and industrial centers are temporary residents who, when unable to work or at the end of their contract, return to the bantustans or to the country from which they came. Cities - centers of manufacturing industry - are also growing as a result of the arrival of immigrants from European countries.
South Africa is dominated by small towns with populations ranging from 2 to 10 thousand people. According to existing legislation, all settlements that have local municipal government in one form or another are considered cities. These are small towns - centers of agricultural areas (for example, Fran Schuk or Swellendam), and numerous mining centers in South Africa (Tabazim bi, Postmasburg, Saichen, etc.), and cities - centers of the manufacturing industry, often with pronounced specialization ( "metallurgical" fer riniching - Vanderbijlpark or "chemical" - Sasolburg and Moddervon Tein).
The ports that stand out are Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and East London. These are modern large multifunctional cities. They owe their appearance and growth to their favorable geographical location. For a long time, a significant part of the immigrants arriving in Africa settled in them; various industrial enterprises, equipped with imported equipment and often working on imported raw materials.
There are many cities in the country - administrative centers, among which Pretoria and Cape Town occupy a special position.
The country's largest city, its financial and commercial capital, is Johannesburg, whose population has exceeded 1.5 million people and continues to grow steadily: in the last 30 years alone it has more than doubled. Johannesburg is not only the most important center, but also the link between the leading industrial region of South Africa - the Witwatersrand complex and its surroundings. This main economic core, occupying approximately 1% of the country's territory, concentrates up to 2/5 of its population. Of the 20 South African cities with a population exceeding 50 thousand people, 10 are part of the Witwatersrand metropolitan area.
Square: 1.2 million km2
Population: 49 million people
Capital: Pretoria
Geographical location
The Republic of South Africa (RSA) is located in the extreme south of Africa, south of the Southern Tropic and is washed by two oceans. The cold Benguela Current in the west and the warm Cape Agulhas Current in the east determine the climate and nature of the country. Slightly rugged coastline and the desert areas of the west coast are not conducive to its intensive development. South Coast has a more favorable geographical location for development maritime transport. On the territory of South Africa there are two small independent states - Lesotho and Swaziland. (Use the map to determine which countries South Africa borders with.)
Natural conditions and resources
South Africa has the most powerful economic potential in Africa and is the only African country, related to the number developed countries peace. The Republic of South Africa was proclaimed in 1961.
Most of the country's territory lies above 1000 m above sea level. The geological structure of the territory determined the wealth of South Africa in ore minerals and the absence of oil and gas deposits. The country's subsoil is extremely rich in manganese ores, chromites, platinum, diamonds, gold, coal, iron and uranium ores.
The territory of South Africa is located in the subtropical and tropical zones. The climate is arid, but cooler than in the north of the mainland. Average annual temperatures are +20…+23 °C. The difference in temperatures between the hottest and coldest seasons is only about 10 °C. Annual rainfall ranges from 100 mm on the west coast to 2000 mm on the slopes of the Drakensberg Mountains.
The territory of South Africa is crossed by several large rivers: Orange, Limpopo, Tugela. Largest river South Africa - Orange, the length of which is almost 2 thousand km. Its basin contains the most important industrial and agricultural areas of the country. Large hydraulic structures were built on the river, including reservoirs and hydroelectric power stations. The Drakensberg Mountains are crossed by the Tugela River, on which is located the highest waterfall in Africa - Tugela (933 m).
The soils are varied and mostly fertile: red-brown, black, gray-brown. A significant part of the territory in the center and in the east is occupied by savannas. Along the banks of the rivers there are preserved tropical forests. In the south, subtropical forests and evergreen shrubs are common. The country's flora numbers about 16 thousand species, dominated by savannah formations. In the most humid areas there are savannas with palm trees and baobabs, in the Kalahari and Karoo there is a deserted savanna (dry-loving trees, shrubs and succulents (aloe, spurge, etc.). In the Kalahari, peculiar depressions - pens, in which moisture accumulates after rains, are of particular value and lush grass appears - good food for sheep.
In the Cape floristic region (Cape Town area) there are more than 6 thousand plant species, most of which are endemic. The flower of the silver tree (protea) has become national symbol SOUTH AFRICA. Deserts and mountains, river valleys, a significant length of the ocean coast determine the diversity of animals and flora SOUTH AFRICA. Most diverse fauna in national parks, the most famous of which are Kruger and Kalahari-Gemsbok, in which all representatives of the animal world are concentrated, including endemics. About 200 species of snakes, more than 40 thousand species of insects are known in the country, and pockets of malaria mosquitoes and tsetse flies have been preserved.
South Africa is the richest country in Africa in terms of reserves mineral resources. Climatic conditions allow you to grow crops all year round.
Population
The ethnic composition of the South African population is very complex. About 80% of the country's citizens are black Africans who belong to various ethnic groups (Zulu, Xhosa, Suto, etc.). The population of European origin is less than 10%. The third largest group of the population of South Africa are mulattoes and mestizos. There is a significant population of Asian origin.
Population density 37 people/sq. km. The most densely populated areas are Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Over 35% of the population lives in cities. Since the late 90s. Natural population growth due to morbidity has sharply decreased and has been negative since 2005.
In terms of the employment structure of the population, South Africa is a post-industrial country (65% of the working population is employed in the service sector, more than 25% in industry).
The high level of economic development has made it possible to solve many social issues and ethnic relations. Previously, the majority of the local population was oppressed. The apartheid policy lasted 45 years in South Africa. She preached racial oppression of the colored population, the creation of reservations for blacks, the ban on mixed marriages, etc. In 1994, the apartheid political regime was overthrown as a result of general elections and the refusal of whites to renounce their monopoly on power. South Africa was restored to the world community.
Cities
The capital is the city of Pretoria (more than 800 thousand people). The urban population is 64%. South Africa is dominated by small towns with a population of up to 10 thousand people. In addition to Johannesburg (3.2 million people) and Pretoria, the largest cities are port cities - Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth.
Industry
The country's economy produces 2/3 of the continent's GDP. The country's economy is determined by its mining industry. About 52% of the country's exports come from mining products. The country ranks second in the world in diamond mining and third in uranium ore mining. Almost all types of minerals, excluding oil, are found in South Africa. Coal mining is developed - South Africa ranks third in the world in the use of coal for energy.
Closely related to the mining industry is the production of gold bars (25% of world production) and platinum. The main center of gold mining is Johannesburg, the most large city South Africa, the “economic capital” of the country. Several dozen gold mines operate here, and an urban agglomeration has formed (about 5 million people). The country's industry of specialization is ferrous metallurgy. South African steel is the cheapest in the world. Non-ferrous metallurgy is represented by the production of most non-ferrous metals: from copper, antimony and chromium to rare earth metals.
The service sector is developing rapidly. Greatest development received the banking sector, trade. The service sector accounts for up to 62% of GDP.
Agriculture
In agriculture, livestock farming plays a leading role, primarily sheep breeding for wool. Sheep wool and leather form a significant part of exports. Cattle and goats are also raised. South Africa is the world's largest producer of mohair from the wool of Angora goats (South African mohair is considered the best in the world). They are also involved in breeding ostriches.
The development of agriculture is affected by droughts, 1/3 of all lands are susceptible to erosion. Cultivable lands make up about 12% of the territory. The main grain crops are corn, wheat, sorghum. South Africa provides itself with all basic food products, exports sugar, vegetables, fruits and berries, and citrus fruits. Many lands are infertile and require constant irrigation and fertilization.
Transport
The main interregional mode of transport in South Africa is rail. Railways connect port cities with industrial centers. The role is increasing road transport, which accounts for 80% of all traffic in the country. The most important seaports are Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, etc.
South Africa is the only highly developed country in Africa. South Africa is known in the world as the leader in gold production - 25% of world production. The South African economy accounts for 2/3 of the continent's GDP.