At the southernmost tip of Africa, South Africa is nearly five times the size of the United Kingdom and has a population of over 44 million people.

South Africa is divided into nine provinces: Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Northern Province, North-west, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Northern Cape. More than a third of the population lives in Gauteng, Durban, Cape Town and around Port Elizabeth.

Cities

Bloemfontein -- Location of the Supreme Court of Appeal, the highest court in non-constitutional matters. The Constitutional Court in Johannesburg became the highest court in constitutional matters in 1994.

Cape Town -- The legislative capital and seat of Parliament. A world-class city named for its proximity to the Cape of Good Hope. Also within a stone's throw of South Africa's winelands.

Pretoria -- The administrative capital of the country

Durban -- Largest city in KwaZulu-Natal and one of the biggest ports in Africa.

Johannesburg -- The business centre of South Africa.

Nelspruit -- Capital of Mpumalanga.

Polokwane -- formally Pietersburg, and capital of Limpopo Province.

Port Elizabeth -- Largest Town in the Eastern Cape.

Rustenburg -- Larg Town.

Language

South Africa is home to many different cultures and religions and is often called ‘The Rainbow Nation’ by residents. There are 11 official languages, but English is spoken by most South Africans. French, German and Italian are also spoken in many of the larger hotels.

Weather

South Africa has warm summers and winters are usually mild, with snow only on high mountain peaks. The Western Cape has a Mediterranean climate with winter rainfall, but the rest of the country enjoys hot summers with afternoon thundershowers. KwaZulu-Natal has a subtropical climate, and the sea is warm enough to swim in all year round.

Money

South African notes and coins. The currency is the Rand (ZAR), divided into 100 cents (c). Notes are in denominations of R200, R100, R50, R20 and R10. All notes have a metallic security strip and a watermark.

Rough conversion rates are: 7:1 (USD), 10:1 (EUR) and 14:1 (GBP). Carry one of the above currencies, as conversion between any of them and the Rand can be done at any bank without trouble.

Automated teller machines (ATMs), linked to all major international networks, are available throughout the country.