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South Africa at a glance

Size
1 219 090 km²

Key economic sectors
Mining services and transport, energy, manufacturing, tourism, agriculture

Population
48,7 million (mid-2008)

Official languages
English, isiZulu, isiXhosa, isiNdebele, Afrikaans, siSwati, Sesotho sa Leboa, Sesotho, Setswana, Tshivenda and Xitsonga

Government
Constitutional multiparty, three-tier (local, provincial, national) democracy. More about South Africa's government...

Major cities
Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, East London, Kimberley

Provinces
Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Free State, North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo

Currency
Rand (ZAR). 100 cents equals one rand

Time
GMT +2 hours

• Cape Town to Johannesburg 1 400 km (880 miles)
• Johannesburg to Durban 600 km (380 miles)
• Port Elizabeth to Bloemfontein 700 km (440 miles)

Transportation
Excellent roads, rail and air facilities (both domestic and international)

Telecommunications
World-class infrastructure. Internet access is widely available. There are four mobile (cellular) networks.

Value-added tax
Levied at 14%. Tourists may apply for tax refunds on purchases over R250 on departure.

Health
Top-quality healthcare is available throughout the country, although basic in rural areas. Inoculations are only required for those travelling from yellow-fever areas. Malaria precautions are necessary in some areas.

Source: Pocket Guide to South Africa 2008/2009
Editor: D Burger. Government Communication and Information System

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