South Africa

South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa, is a country located at the southern tip of Africa. It is bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Eswatini (Swaziland), and entirely surrounds Lesotho. Its coastlines are on the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Major cities include Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Pretoria, which is the administrative capital. South Africa is known for its cultural and ethnic diversity, with 11 official languages. The population comprises various groups, including Black Africans, Whites, Coloureds, and Indians. The country has a complex history, marked by apartheid, a system of racial segregation enforced by the white minority government, which was dismantled in 1994 with the election of Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first Black president. South Africa's economy is the most developed and diversified in Africa, with key sectors including mining, manufacturing, agriculture, and services. It is rich in natural resources, including gold, diamonds, platinum, and coal. Culturally, South Africa is famous for its music and art. Kwaito music and South African jazz are particularly popular. South African cuisine, known as "rainbow cuisine," reflects the country's diversity. Geographically, South Africa offers a wide range of landscapes, from the Drakensberg mountains to the beaches of the Garden Route, from the rainforests of KwaZulu-Natal to the arid plains of the Karoo. The climate varies significantly depending on the region. South Africa has faced significant challenges, including economic inequality, high crime rates, and the impact of HIV/AIDS. However, it remains a key player in Africa and globally, with an active role in regional and international affairs. Population of South Africa from 2018 to 2020: 2018: Approximately 57.7 million inhabitants. 2019: Approximately 58.6 million inhabitants. 2020: Approximately 59.3 million inhabitants. Capital (Pretoria): Population in 2020: About 2.5 million inhabitants. Top 10 cities by number of inhabitants in 2020: (Figures are approximate) Johannesburg: ~5.6 million Cape Town: ~4.6 million Durban: ~3.4 million Pretoria: ~2.5 million Port Elizabeth: ~1.2 million Bloemfontein: ~520,000 Nelspruit: ~400,000 Kimberley: ~225,000 Polokwane: ~130,000 Pietermaritzburg: ~500,000 South Africa is divided into 9 provinces. Some provinces: Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape. GDP in millions of dollars from 2018 to 2020: 2018: About $368.3 billion. 2019: About $351.4 billion. 2020: About $301.9 billion. Public deficit in millions of dollars from 2018 to 2020: 2018-2020: Not available. % GDP/government debt ratio from 2018 to 2020: 2018-2020: Not available. Unemployment rate % from 2018 to 2020: 2018: Approximately 27.1%. 2019: Approximately 28.7%. 2020: Approximately 30.8%. Inflation Rate from 2018 to 2020: 2018: Around 4.5%. 2019: Approximately 4.1%. 2020: Around 3.3%.