South Africa (History, Capital, Flag, Population, Religion & Facts)

South Africa is officially known as the Republic of South Africa (RSA) is located in the southernmost part of Africa. The Country is renowned for its natural beauty and cultural diversity. South Africa is also one of the world’s top tourist destination since the end of apartheid in 1994.

In this article, we’ll be sharing with you some basic facts about South Africa that you might not have known before now.

History of South Africa

Land Mass of South Africa

South Africa has a total landmass of 1,219,090 square km. The Republic of South Africa is bordered by Namibia to the northwest, by Botswana and Zimbabwe to the north and by Mozambique and Swaziland to the northeast and east. South Africa’s coastlines border the Indian Ocean to the southeast and the Atlantic Ocean to the southwest.  Lesotho, an independent country, is an enclave in the eastern part of the republic, entirely surrounded by South African territory.

The country possesses two small subantarctic islands, Prince Edward and Marion, situated in the Indian Ocean about 1,200 miles (1,900 km) southeast of Cape Town. The former South African possession of Walvis Bay, on the Atlantic coast some 400 miles (600 km) north of the Orange River, became part of Namibia in 1994.

Flag of South Africa

The current flag of South Africa was designed in March 1994 and adopted on 27 April 1994. This was at the beginning of South Africa’s 1994 general election to replace the flag that had been used since 1928.

The South African flag has horizontal bands of red (on the top) and blue (on the bottom), of equal width, separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal “Y” shape, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side (and follow the flag’s diagonals).

The “Y” embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes. The stripes at the fly end are in the 5:1:3:1:5 ratio. Three of the flag’s colours were taken from the flags of the Boer Republics and the Union Jack, while the remaining three colours were taken from the flag of the African National Congress.

Capital of South Africa

The Republic of South Africa (RSA) has three capital cities which are Pretoria, Cape Town, and Bloemfontein. The three capital cities are strategically placed throughout the country, each hosting a separate segment of the nation’s government. When asked about a single capital, most people would point to Pretoria.

The three different capitals of South Africa are divided into administrative, legislative and judicial government bases.

Administrative Capital of South Africa

The administrative capital of South Africa is Pretoria. It is home to the executive branch of the South African government, including the President of the Cabinet. The is strategically situated in the northern province of Gauteng. It is considered a city with the most opportunities for high-level studies at universities on a national level, with universities such as the University of Pretoria founded in 1908 being one of the oldest and most extensive academic institutions in South Africa.

Pretoria is also called the “Jacaranda City”; a name that it has earned from the invasive jacaranda trees that sprinkle violet blossom over Pretoria’s parks and streets every year when in bloom.

Legislative Capital of South Africa

Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa. It is home to the country’s legislative parliament including the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces.

Cape Town is located in the southwest corner of South Africa in the province of Western Cape, Cape Town is the second-largest city in population. Cape Town’s coastal serenity and opportune combination of multicultural metropolis made it the best place to visit in the world

Judicial Capital of South Africa

The judicial capital of South Africa is Bloemfontein which means “blooming flowers” or “fountain of flowers” in Afrikaans. The city is home to the Supreme Court of Appeal, the second-highest court in South Africa. The Constitutional Court (the highest court) is located in Johannesburg. The city is located in the province of Free State, Bloemfontein is in the center of South Africa.

Provinces of South Africa

South Africa is divided into nine provinces. Each province has its own capital city, legislature, premier and executive council.