South Africa
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Capital
Pretoria
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Local time
8:42
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Population
56.72 m
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Driving side
Left
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Calling code
+27
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Currency
R ZAR (rand)
South Africa
-
Capital
Pretoria
-
Local time
8:42
-
Population
56.72 m
-
Driving side
Left
-
Calling code
+27
-
Currency
R ZAR (rand)
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Average Salary
$ 979
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Petrol price
€ 1.19 pl
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Precipitation
495mm /year
Geography & travel
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Country Area
1 219 912 km2
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Protected Area
9%
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Forest Area
8%
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Agricultural area
79%
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Railways
20500km
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Annual air passengers
19.5 m
Population
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Ethnicity
black African - 79 %
white - 9 %
colored - 8 %
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Religion
Zion Christian - 11 %
Pentecostal/Charismatic - 8 %
Catholic - 7 %
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Literacy rates
94.4%
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Languages
IsiZulu
IsiXhosa
Afrikaans
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Armed Forces
82 150
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Murders
34 per 100k
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Alcohol consumption
11.5 l/person
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Smoking
31.4%
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Diabetes
7.6%
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Malaria
3%
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Tuberculosis
834 per 100k
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HIV
18.9%
Economy
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Industries
mining, gold, automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer
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Agriculture
corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables, beef, poultry, mutton, wool
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Natural Resources
gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin
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Energy Import
-14%
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Natural Resources
gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin
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Renewable Energy
16%
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CO2 Emissions
489 772kt
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Ease of Business
82 (Best=1, Worst=200)
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ATMs per 100k people
69
What not to do when visiting South Africa
South Africa Don’t forget there are several greeting styles in South Africa depending upon the ethnic heritage of the person. Most South Africans shake hands while maintaining eye contact and smiling when dealing with foreigners. Some women may merely nod their head only - it’s best to wait or a woman to extend her hand.
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South Africa Don't rush deals - South African business dealings are very casual.
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South Africa Don't sunbathe nude unless you are at the designated nude beach. Wear a bikini if you are a woman, or a pair of swim trunks if you are a man.
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Did you know?
Elon Musk and J.R.R Tolkien were both born in South Africa.
South Africa Don't ever use the words "Negro" or "Black" which is banned in South Africa, as it's reflecting black slaves and their descendants trafficked to the United States.
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South Africa Don't leave food on your plate when you have finished eating.
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South Africa Don't touch someone's arm or stand too close to someone.
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South Africa Don't forget to raise right hand, palm toward each other when greeting, as it symbolises "No weapons" in ancient times, and is widely used as a symbol of friendship nowadays.
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South Africa Don't use left hand - use either both hands or your right hand to give or receive a present, and open your gift immediately. Give gifts such as cigars, whiskey, wine, a souvenir from your hometown, or flowers.
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South Africa Don't call African indigenous "African", as in Africa, the so-called African refers only to a specific group of people, the Republic of South Africa Netherlands Hispanic whites.
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South Africa Don't call Afrikaners "Dutchmen" and don't call Afrikaans "Kitchen Dutch". Afrikaners don't consider themselves Dutch.
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South Africa Don't smoke nor throw cigarette end or fire at all times in case causing forest fire.
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Tell us your experience
We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?
South Africa Don't photograph someone without asking, as Africans generally believe that the camera can absorb and exhaust the essence of people, houses and livestock.
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South Africa Don't feed animals.
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South Africa Don't break the strict hunting taboos when visiting wildlife - don't imitate animal sounds, throw objects, or corner a wild animal.
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South Africa Don’t leave your vehicle when visiting wildlife - always follow the instructions of your guide and observe park regulations.
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South Africa Don’t wear expensive clothes or shiny jewellery in public - keep a low profile to avoid unwanted attention.
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South Africa Don't rush or be quite after a meal - it's polite to stay and talk with your friends.
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South Africa Don't accept the first offered price at markets or street shops - haggle a bit.
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South Africa Don’t ignore the power of the ocean and don’t swim alone in isolated beach areas - strong sea currents at the South African coastline.
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South Africa Don't forget to have proper clothing and supplies for every weather when hiking - weather conditions can change rapidly at any time.
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Tell us your experience
We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?
South Africa Don't take pictures of airports, government and military buildings, as well as soldiers, police or officials.
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