South African Holidays

South Africa facts and figures




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Many people are somewhat confused about where South Africa is, so for the record, the Republic of South Africa is a political entity which occupies the southern-most part of Africa, hence the name. It is not to be confused with the term southern Africa, which describes the geographical region of Africa south of the equator, encompassing amongst others, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, Angola, Namibia and Botswana.

Population and language

There are around 50 million people in South Africa, made up of many distinct ethnic groups. There are 11 official languages, the most widely spoken being English, Afrikaans, Zulu and Xhosa. Almost everyone knows enough English to make themselves understood, and most speak it fluently.

Major cities

The most densely populated urban area is greater Johannesburg, stretching north to Pretoria and across to the East and West Rand on either side. This is the economic hub of the country. Other major cities are Cape Town in the south west corner of the country, Durban on the east coast, and Port Elizabeth on the south-east coast.

Weather and climate

South Africa has a temperate climate. In the summer months (November to February) it is not uncommon for the temperature to reach the mid 30's Celsius, peaking into the 40's on occasion. During the winter (May to August) it can get down to freezing or a bit below at night, with mild days reaching into the teens or early 20's, depending where you are in the country. It is rare to get snow except on high ground. Houses do not generally have double glazing or central heating.

The best time to travel to South Africa from the northern hemisphere is between March and June or between September and December, because the contrast in weather from northern to southern hemispheres is not as extreme as in the dead of winter or summer.

Currency and exchange rates

The currency of South Africa is the Rand (ZAR), which is a fair bit weaker than the major world currencies, meaning you generally get more for your Dollar, Euro or Pound in South Africa than back home. Check out the current exchange rates.

Time zone

South African Standard Time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2). There is no daylight savings time.

Transport

Most South Africans either own cars or use the ubiquitous minibus taxis to get around. The bigger centres have Metro commuter trains which are fairly reliable, but generally there is not much public transport to speak of. You'd be well advised to consider hiring a car for the duration of your stay. Luxury coaches are a good option for intercity trips, and are generally cheaper than flying, although there are a number of low-cost airlines which operate in the country and can be reasonably priced if booked in advance.

Road information

South Africans drive on the left, and the main roads are generally well maintained with very good refreshment and refueling stations strategically located. Speed limits are 60kph in urban areas, and 100kph to 120kph outside of cities. The country has a high accident rate, mainly due to a large number of unlicensed drivers and unroadworthy vehicles on the roads.