South Africa (Officially, The Republic of South Africa) is located at the southern tip of Africa and is divided into nine provinces, with 2,798 kilometers (1,739 miles) of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans.

South Africa is multi-ethnic and has diverse range of cultures and languages. Eleven official languages are recognised, although English is the most widely used common language. All ethnic and language groups have political representation in the country's constitutional democracy comprising a parliamentary republic. South Africa also contains the largest communities of European, Asian, and racially mixed ancestry in Africa.

In recent years, economic growth has seen great improvements in infrastructure and safety. Crime has been brought under control and public transport has been further developed. 2010 saw South Africa successfully host the football/soccer World Cup, with hundreds of thousands of fans arriving on our shores to support their team.

South Africa is known for many things, but one of the main attractions is the wildlife. An hour's drive from the unban metropolis of Johannesburg or Pretoria, you can see "The Big Five" (elephant, lion, buffalo, Rhinoceros and Leopard) in one of the country’s large, protected National Parks – such as The Kruger National Park, or in smaller, private game reserves. There are National Parks throughout South Africa, with those in the north west of the country tending to have the majority of the large game animals. That said, there are opportunities to see big game near to Cape Town, with several reserves located in the Western Cape.

Other animals that draw a crowd are our whales and sharks. Whales visit our shores to calf during the months of August to October and can be clearly visible from the shore. Alternatively, for a close encounter you can take advantage of one of the boat-based whale watching tours. The really adventurous can have a go at diving with Great White sharks – well, cage-based diving that is!

South Africa has two capitals. Cape Town, the oldest city, is the legislative capital, where Parliament sits. Pretoria, 1 500 kilometres to the north, is the executive capital, where the government administration is housed. The country is also famous as the birthplace of humankind, with some of the oldest human fossils having being discovered at The Cradle of Mankind, in the north of the country. Throughout the country there are opportunities to connect with nature and history while marveling at the diversity that has led to the country being known as The Rainbow Nation.

For more information see: Quick Guide to South Africa