{"id":8182,"date":"2024-03-11T12:25:30","date_gmt":"2024-03-11T11:25:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/?page_id=8182"},"modified":"2024-03-11T13:57:24","modified_gmt":"2024-03-11T12:57:24","slug":"land-information","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/en\/zuid-afrika\/land-info\/","title":{"rendered":"South Africa: country information"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_custom_1555578207858 wpex-vc-full-width-row wpex-vc-full-width-row--centered wpex-relative wpex-vc_row-has-fill no-bottom-margins wpex-vc-reset-negative-margin\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-4\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-8\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h2 class=\"vcex-heading vcex-heading-plain vcex-module wpex-heading wpex-text-2xl\"><span class=\"vcex-heading-inner wpex-inline-block\">Country Information<\/span><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_custom_1555578101238 wpex-vc-full-width-row wpex-vc-full-width-row--centered wpex-relative wpex-vc_row-has-fill wpex-vc-reset-negative-margin\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-4\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><style>.vcex-icon-box.vcex_6a4afedc2fc23 .vcex-icon-box-heading{font-size:16px;}.vcex-icon-box.vcex_6a4afedc2fc23 .vcex-icon-box-icon{font-size:20px;color:#ff742c;}<\/style><div class=\"vcex-module vcex-icon-box vcex-icon-box-one wpex-flex wpex-text-left wpb_animate_when_almost_visible wpb_left-to-right left-to-right vcex_6a4afedc2fc23\"><div class=\"vcex-icon-box-symbol vcex-icon-box-symbol--icon wpex-flex-shrink-0 wpex-mr-20\"><div class=\"vcex-icon-box-icon wpex-items-center wpex-justify-center wpex-child-inherit-color wpex-text-center wpex-leading-none wpex-flex wpex-text-1\"><span class=\"wpex-flex wpex-icon--w wpex-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M57.7 193l9.4 16.4c8.3 14.5 21.9 25.2 38 29.8L163 255.7c17.2 4.9 29 20.6 29 38.5v39.9c0 11 6.2 21 16 25.9s16 14.9 16 25.9v39c0 15.6 14.9 26.9 29.9 22.6c16.1-4.6 28.6-17.5 32.7-33.8l2.8-11.2c4.2-16.9 15.2-31.4 30.3-40l8.1-4.6c15-8.5 24.2-24.5 24.2-41.7v-8.3c0-12.7-5.1-24.9-14.1-33.9l-3.9-3.9c-9-9-21.2-14.1-33.9-14.1H257c-11.1 0-22.1-2.9-31.8-8.4l-34.5-19.7c-4.3-2.5-7.6-6.5-9.2-11.2c-3.2-9.6 1.1-20 10.2-24.5l5.9-3c6.6-3.3 14.3-3.9 21.3-1.5l23.2 7.7c8.2 2.7 17.2-.4 21.9-7.5c4.7-7 4.2-16.3-1.2-22.8l-13.6-16.3c-10-12-9.9-29.5 .3-41.3l15.7-18.3c8.8-10.3 10.2-25 3.5-36.7l-2.4-4.2c-3.5-.2-6.9-.3-10.4-.3C163.1 48 84.4 108.9 57.7 193zM464 256c0-36.8-9.6-71.4-26.4-101.5L412 164.8c-15.7 6.3-23.8 23.8-18.5 39.8l16.9 50.7c3.5 10.4 12 18.3 22.6 20.9l29.1 7.3c1.2-9 1.8-18.2 1.8-27.5zM0 256a256 256 0 1 1 512 0A256 256 0 1 1 0 256z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vcex-icon-box-text wpex-flex-grow\"><h3 class=\"vcex-icon-box-heading wpex-heading wpex-mb-10\">Official national languages: English, Afrikaans, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu, Southern Sotho<\/h3><\/div><\/div><style>.vcex-icon-box.vcex_6a4afedc322b6 .vcex-icon-box-heading{font-size:16px;}.vcex-icon-box.vcex_6a4afedc322b6 .vcex-icon-box-icon{font-size:21px;color:#ff742c;}<\/style><div class=\"vcex-module vcex-icon-box vcex-icon-box-one wpex-flex wpex-text-left wpb_animate_when_almost_visible wpb_left-to-right left-to-right vcex_6a4afedc322b6\"><div class=\"vcex-icon-box-symbol vcex-icon-box-symbol--icon wpex-flex-shrink-0 wpex-mr-20\"><div class=\"vcex-icon-box-icon wpex-items-center wpex-justify-center wpex-child-inherit-color wpex-text-center wpex-leading-none wpex-flex wpex-text-1\"><span class=\"wpex-flex wpex-icon--w wpex-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 32\"><path d=\"M13.714 11.429q0-1.893-1.339-3.232t-3.232-1.339-3.232 1.339-1.339 3.232 1.339 3.232 3.232 1.339 3.232-1.339 1.339-3.232zM18.286 11.429q0 1.946-0.589 3.196l-6.5 13.821q-0.286 0.589-0.848 0.929t-1.205 0.339-1.205-0.339-0.83-0.929l-6.518-13.821q-0.589-1.25-0.589-3.196 0-3.786 2.679-6.464t6.464-2.679 6.464 2.679 2.679 6.464z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vcex-icon-box-text wpex-flex-grow\"><h3 class=\"vcex-icon-box-heading wpex-heading wpex-mb-10\">Capital: Pretoria<\/h3><\/div><\/div><style>.vcex-icon-box.vcex_6a4afedc33c2b .vcex-icon-box-heading{font-size:16px;}.vcex-icon-box.vcex_6a4afedc33c2b .vcex-icon-box-icon{font-size:18px;color:#ff742c;}<\/style><div class=\"vcex-module vcex-icon-box vcex-icon-box-one wpex-flex wpex-text-left wpb_animate_when_almost_visible wpb_left-to-right left-to-right vcex_6a4afedc33c2b\"><div class=\"vcex-icon-box-symbol vcex-icon-box-symbol--icon wpex-flex-shrink-0 wpex-mr-20\"><div class=\"vcex-icon-box-icon wpex-items-center wpex-justify-center wpex-child-inherit-color wpex-text-center wpex-leading-none wpex-flex wpex-text-1\"><span class=\"wpex-flex wpex-icon--w wpex-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M200 32H56C42.7 32 32 42.7 32 56V200c0 9.7 5.8 18.5 14.8 22.2s19.3 1.7 26.2-5.2l40-40 79 79-79 79L73 295c-6.9-6.9-17.2-8.9-26.2-5.2S32 302.3 32 312V456c0 13.3 10.7 24 24 24H200c9.7 0 18.5-5.8 22.2-14.8s1.7-19.3-5.2-26.2l-40-40 79-79 79 79-40 40c-6.9 6.9-8.9 17.2-5.2 26.2s12.5 14.8 22.2 14.8H456c13.3 0 24-10.7 24-24V312c0-9.7-5.8-18.5-14.8-22.2s-19.3-1.7-26.2 5.2l-40 40-79-79 79-79 40 40c6.9 6.9 17.2 8.9 26.2 5.2s14.8-12.5 14.8-22.2V56c0-13.3-10.7-24-24-24H312c-9.7 0-18.5 5.8-22.2 14.8s-1.7 19.3 5.2 26.2l40 40-79 79-79-79 40-40c6.9-6.9 8.9-17.2 5.2-26.2S209.7 32 200 32z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vcex-icon-box-text wpex-flex-grow\"><h3 class=\"vcex-icon-box-heading wpex-heading wpex-mb-10\">Area: 1,221,037 km\u00b2<\/h3><\/div><\/div><style>.vcex-icon-box.vcex_6a4afedc357a3 .vcex-icon-box-heading{font-size:16px;}.vcex-icon-box.vcex_6a4afedc357a3 .vcex-icon-box-icon{font-size:18px;color:#ff742c;}<\/style><div class=\"vcex-module vcex-icon-box vcex-icon-box-one wpex-flex wpex-text-left wpb_animate_when_almost_visible wpb_left-to-right left-to-right vcex_6a4afedc357a3\"><div class=\"vcex-icon-box-symbol vcex-icon-box-symbol--icon wpex-flex-shrink-0 wpex-mr-20\"><div class=\"vcex-icon-box-icon wpex-items-center wpex-justify-center wpex-child-inherit-color wpex-text-center wpex-leading-none wpex-flex wpex-text-1\"><span class=\"wpex-flex wpex-icon--w wpex-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 640 512\"><path d=\"M144 0a80 80 0 1 1 0 160A80 80 0 1 1 144 0zM512 0a80 80 0 1 1 0 160A80 80 0 1 1 512 0zM0 298.7C0 239.8 47.8 192 106.7 192h42.7c15.9 0 31 3.5 44.6 9.7c-1.3 7.2-1.9 14.7-1.9 22.3c0 38.2 16.8 72.5 43.3 96c-.2 0-.4 0-.7 0H21.3C9.6 320 0 310.4 0 298.7zM405.3 320c-.2 0-.4 0-.7 0c26.6-23.5 43.3-57.8 43.3-96c0-7.6-.7-15-1.9-22.3c13.6-6.3 28.7-9.7 44.6-9.7h42.7C592.2 192 640 239.8 640 298.7c0 11.8-9.6 21.3-21.3 21.3H405.3zM224 224a96 96 0 1 1 192 0 96 96 0 1 1 -192 0zM128 485.3C128 411.7 187.7 352 261.3 352H378.7C452.3 352 512 411.7 512 485.3c0 14.7-11.9 26.7-26.7 26.7H154.7c-14.7 0-26.7-11.9-26.7-26.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vcex-icon-box-text wpex-flex-grow\"><h3 class=\"vcex-icon-box-heading wpex-heading wpex-mb-10\">Residents: 54,841,552<\/h3><\/div><\/div><style>.vcex-icon-box.vcex_6a4afedc36fc6 .vcex-icon-box-heading{font-size:16px;}.vcex-icon-box.vcex_6a4afedc36fc6 .vcex-icon-box-icon{font-size:18px;color:#ff742c;}<\/style><div class=\"vcex-module vcex-icon-box vcex-icon-box-one wpex-flex wpex-text-left wpb_animate_when_almost_visible wpb_left-to-right left-to-right vcex_6a4afedc36fc6\"><div class=\"vcex-icon-box-symbol vcex-icon-box-symbol--icon wpex-flex-shrink-0 wpex-mr-20\"><div class=\"vcex-icon-box-icon wpex-items-center wpex-justify-center wpex-child-inherit-color wpex-text-center wpex-leading-none wpex-flex wpex-text-1\"><span class=\"wpex-flex wpex-icon--w wpex-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 576 512\"><path d=\"M112 112c0 35.3-28.7 64-64 64V336c35.3 0 64 28.7 64 64H464c0-35.3 28.7-64 64-64V176c-35.3 0-64-28.7-64-64H112zM0 128C0 92.7 28.7 64 64 64H512c35.3 0 64 28.7 64 64V384c0 35.3-28.7 64-64 64H64c-35.3 0-64-28.7-64-64V128zM176 256a112 112 0 1 1 224 0 112 112 0 1 1 -224 0zm80-48c0 8.8 7.2 16 16 16v64h-8c-8.8 0-16 7.2-16 16s7.2 16 16 16h24 24c8.8 0 16-7.2 16-16s-7.2-16-16-16h-8V208c0-8.8-7.2-16-16-16H272c-8.8 0-16 7.2-16 16z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vcex-icon-box-text wpex-flex-grow\"><h3 class=\"vcex-icon-box-heading wpex-heading wpex-mb-10\">Currency: Rand (ZAR)<\/h3><\/div><\/div><style>.vcex-icon-box.vcex_6a4afedc386c4 .vcex-icon-box-heading{font-size:16px;}.vcex-icon-box.vcex_6a4afedc386c4 .vcex-icon-box-icon{font-size:20px;color:#ff742c;}<\/style><div class=\"vcex-module vcex-icon-box vcex-icon-box-one wpex-flex wpex-text-left wpb_animate_when_almost_visible wpb_left-to-right left-to-right vcex_6a4afedc386c4\"><div class=\"vcex-icon-box-symbol vcex-icon-box-symbol--icon wpex-flex-shrink-0 wpex-mr-20\"><div class=\"vcex-icon-box-icon wpex-items-center wpex-justify-center wpex-child-inherit-color wpex-text-center wpex-leading-none wpex-flex wpex-text-1\"><span class=\"wpex-flex wpex-icon--w wpex-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M464 256A208 208 0 1 1 48 256a208 208 0 1 1 416 0zM0 256a256 256 0 1 0 512 0A256 256 0 1 0 0 256zM232 120V256c0 8 4 15.5 10.7 20l96 64c11 7.4 25.9 4.4 33.3-6.7s4.4-25.9-6.7-33.3L280 243.2V120c0-13.3-10.7-24-24-24s-24 10.7-24 24z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vcex-icon-box-text wpex-flex-grow\"><h3 class=\"vcex-icon-box-heading wpex-heading wpex-mb-10\">Time difference: +1<\/h3><\/div><\/div><style>.vcex-icon-box.vcex_6a4afedc3a0d8 .vcex-icon-box-heading{font-size:16px;}.vcex-icon-box.vcex_6a4afedc3a0d8 .vcex-icon-box-icon{font-size:20px;color:#ff742c;}<\/style><div class=\"vcex-module vcex-icon-box vcex-icon-box-one wpex-flex vcex-icon-box-wo-icon wpex-text-left wpb_animate_when_almost_visible wpb_left-to-right left-to-right vcex_6a4afedc3a0d8\"><div class=\"vcex-icon-box-text wpex-flex-grow\"><h3 class=\"vcex-icon-box-heading wpex-heading wpex-mb-10\">Web | Code | Tel. \/ .za | ZAF | +27<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-8\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>South Africa (officially: English: Republic of South Africa; Afrikaans: Republiek van Suid-Afrika) is a republic in the south of the African continent. The total area of the country is 1,123,226 km\u00b2, excluding the \u201cindependent\u201d homelands of Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, Transkei and Venda, and Walvis Bay; including these areas: 1,225,765 km\u00b2. South Africa is therefore 30 times larger than the Netherlands. The coastline has a total length of 3,000 kilometres.<\/p>\n<p>South Africa borders Swaziland to the east (430 kilometres), Mozambique to the northeast (491 km), Zimbabwe (225 km) and Botswana (1840 km) to the north, and Namibia to the northwest (855 km).<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"vcex-spacing wpex-w-100 wpex-clear\" style=\"height:20px;\"><\/div><div  class=\"vc_do_toggle vc_toggle vc_toggle_rounded vc_toggle_color_orange vc_toggle_color_inverted vc_toggle_size_lg\"><div class=\"vc_toggle_title\"><h4>Read More...<\/h4><i class=\"vc_toggle_icon\"><\/i><\/div><div class=\"vc_toggle_content\"><p>Entirely enclosed by South Africa as an enclave, lies the mountainous state of Lesotho (total border length 909 km). In 1947, the (then) Union of South Africa formally took possession of the uninhabited Prince Edward Island and Marion Island off the coast of Cape Town. Other well-known islands off the coast include Santa Cruz near Port Elizabeth and Robben Island near Cape Town.<\/p>\n<p>South Africa also borders the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Indian Ocean to the east. The distance from the Limpopo River in the north to Cape Agulhas in the south is approximately 2,000 kilometres. The distance from Port Nolloth in the west to Durban in the east is approximately 1,500 kilometres.<\/p>\n<p>The most important river in South Africa is the Orange River, which rises in the Drakensberg mountains of KwaZulu-Natal and flows for over 2,200 kilometres into the Atlantic Ocean near Oranjemund and Alexander Bay. Other important rivers include the Vaal, the Limpopo, the Great Fish River, and the Tugela. Most of these rivers are barely navigable.<\/p>\n<p>The landscape of South Africa is very diverse and can be divided into 21 natural regions. The Lesotho Highlands form the highest part of Southern Africa and form the border between Lesotho and South Africa. The highest peaks rise above 3400 metres and snow often falls on the mountain tundras in winter.<br \/>\nThe Hoogveld is a gently rolling, high-lying area and consists mainly of savannas. The urbanised Witwatersrand also lies here, surrounding important gold and coal mines in South Africa. A lot of maize is also grown here.<\/p>\n<p>North Transvaal features diverse landscapes, including the Soutpansberg mountain ranges and the Waterberg plateau, with the Pietersburg Plain situated between them, where cattle farming is significant. The Soutpansberg is an important forestry area.<br \/>\nIn the north of the Cape Province lies the Ghaap Plateau, where the semi-arid climate only allows for livestock farming.<br \/>\nThe flat and extensive Bushman's Flats on the interior plateau also lie in the northern Cape Province and are covered only by sparse scrub and suitable only for extensive sheep farming. Striking are the many \u201cpans\u201d, small lakes that are only filled with water for part of the year.<\/p>\n<p>To the north and west of Pretoria lies the Bushveld Basin. In the flat, central part of the basin, many minerals and precious metals such as platinum, vanadium and chromium are found. The clayey black turf soil is extremely fertile and is therefore where many crops are grown.<br \/>\nThe flat, sandy Kalahari Basin is a semi-arid savannah, primarily covered in acacia trees. This area was once characterised by desert dunes, only a few of which remain.<br \/>\nIn the northern Cape Province lie the valleys of the Lower Vaal and the Orange River, two of South Africa's major rivers. The valleys are situated in highly developed areas, including a gigantic irrigation project (Vaalharts) on the Harts River, a tributary. Between the two valleys lies Kimberley, the centre of the diamond mining industry.<\/p>\n<p>The Karoo is a vast semi-arid plain with flat-topped hills covered in grass and scrub. The highest points on the plateau are Giants Castle (3820 m), Cathkin Peak (3650 m) and Mont aux Sources (3299 m) in the Drakensberg mountains. Only sheep farming is possible here.<br \/>\nThe Transvaal Drakensberg is covered with forests due to sufficient rainfall and is a resort where many tourists stay for, among other things, hiking. The Transvaal Drakensberg is part of the Great Escarpment.<\/p>\n<p>The Natal Drakensberg is also part of the Great Escarpment with peaks above 3000 metres. Mountain sports take place here.<br \/>\nThe Cape Fold Mountains, covered in a unique vegetation called \u201cfynbos\u201d or maquis, consist of a series of mountain ranges. Mountaineering is also very popular here. In the valleys between the mountain ranges are centres for fruit cultivation and viticulture. The coastal regions have beautiful beaches and deep bays. The only more enclosed bay is Saldanha Bay on the west coast.<br \/>\nThe Namaqualand Highlands consist of dry, rocky mountains where, if there is enough rain, a great many wildflowers grow. The area bordering Namibia is the Richtersveld.<\/p>\n<p>The Limpopo River forms the border between South Africa and Zimbabwe. The river flows into the Limpopo Valley, a dry savannah region with open woodland where a lot of cattle are kept and where there are many wildlife parks.<br \/>\nThe undulating landscape of the Lowveld lies between the foothills of the Great Escarpment and the Lebombo Mountains in Swaziland, Northern Natal and the Transvaal. The hot tropical climate in summer makes it possible to cultivate tropical fruit here. This is also where South Africa's largest reserve, the Kruger National Park, with its forests and savannas, is located.<br \/>\nThe South-East Coast Hinterland is an area of rolling hills and deep river valleys. It stretches from Swaziland to the former Ciskei in the south. There is heavy rainfall, which is drained by numerous rivers into the Indian Ocean.<br \/>\nThe Lebombo Mountains lie on the border of South Africa and Mozambique, in the Eastern Transvaal, Swaziland and northern KwaZulu\/Natal. This mountain range is characterised by deep gorges through which rivers flow to the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n<p>In northern KwaZulu\/Natal lies the Zululand coastal plain, overgrown sandy plains with bush. Many lakes and river mouths are also found here. Numerous animal species live in various nature reserves.<br \/>\nThe Southern Cape Plateau stretches from the southernmost point of Africa up to Port Elizabeth. Beautiful forests and lagoons can also be found here.<br \/>\nThe rolling plain between the Atlantic Ocean and the Cape Fold Mountains is the Swartland. A lot of grain is grown here.<br \/>\nThe Namib is a desert and the Benguela Current flows along its coasts. The coastal waters are very important for South Africa's fishing industry. Furthermore, it is an inhospitable area.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Holidays and Sightseeing<\/strong><br \/>\nThe tourism industry is of increasing importance to the South African economy. Millions of foreigners visit South Africa every year. That number could be many times larger, but for now, there is a lack of sufficient facilities to receive many more tourists. Most visitors come from Africa, but the number of visitors from outside Africa is increasing very rapidly. In 1995, approximately 50,000 Dutch tourists visited South Africa. This number grows annually.<\/p>\n<p>One of the biggest attractions in South Africa is Kruger Park. This is a large wildlife park in the northeast of South Africa, on the border with Zimbabwe and Mozambique. There are many species of animals to be spotted. The most well-known are the Big Five. These refer to the lion, rhinoceros, buffalo, leopard, and African elephant. Another attraction is the Drakensberg mountains. This is a mountain range with a lot of natural beauty, which is gaining more and more tourist interest.<\/p>\n<p>Johannesburg, with the well-known Soweto, has become one of South Africa's most popular tourist destinations. Some of the main attractions in Johannesburg include:\n\u2022 Lesedi Cultural Village\n\u2022 James Hall Transport Museum\n\u2022 AECI Dynamite Factory Museum\n\u2022 Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary\n\u2022 South African National Museum of Military History\n\u2022 Witwatersrand Botanical Gardens<br \/>\nHistorical museums, such as the Apartheid Museum and the Hector Pieterson Museum, attract tourists from all over the world. The city also has several art museums, including the Johannesburg Art Gallery, which houses many South African and European landscape and figurative paintings, and the Africana Museum, which chronicles the history of the city of Johannesburg.<\/p>\n<p>Cape Town, with Table Mountain and a vibrant centre, is also definitely worth a visit.<\/p>\n<p>The Groote Kerk is probably the most famous church in South Africa. The church was built in the 19th century on the site of an earlier Dutch Reformed Church. The Groote Kerk has a number of particularly interesting sights, such as the lockable pews, the enormous pulpit, the organ with 6,000 pipes, and an unusual soapstone floor, beneath which around 200 people are buried.<br \/>\nThe revamped Victoria and Albert Waterfront is now a vibrant cultural and recreational centre.<\/p>\n<p>Table Mountain is Cape Town's most visited attraction. A cable car (funicular) takes visitors to the summit at 1085 metres in just six minutes. Once there, on a clear day, you can see spectacular panoramic views that leave a lasting impression. The more adventurous can follow various paths that traverse the mountain, enjoying even more beautiful views of the city and the ocean.<br \/>\nRobben Island is part of UNESCO World Heritage and is accessible by a short ferry trip across Table Bay. The most famous prisoner of this notorious jail was, of course, Nelson Mandela. Tours of the prison are given by former political prisoners.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Climate and Weather<\/strong><br \/>\nDue to its location south of the equator, the South African summer begins in December and winter in June.<br \/>\nDespite the country's enormous size, the climate is relatively uniform and temperate. This is particularly true for the temperature inland, which is a consequence of the fact that at lower latitudes, the altitude is generally greater than further south. Typically, the average temperature in Cape Town is 16.5\u00b0C, and in Johannesburg, located much further north, it is 16.2\u00b0C.<\/p>\n<p>It is warmest on the east coast with an average temperature of 20.6\u00b0C in Durban. During the day in Durban, it averages 27\u00b0C in summer and 22\u00b0C in winter. The temperature on the west coast is kept uniformly low by the cold Benguela Current, while the temperature on the east coast is kept uniformly high by the warm Agulhas Current.<\/p>\n<p>The warmest month inland is January, and the warmest month on the coast is February. Even in winter, it's usually around 20\u00b0C in most places. In the north, October and November are warm months due to the summer rains. In the higher inland areas, it freezes regularly, and in the mountainous southeast, it even freezes on more than 100 nights a year. Due to the average low humidity, there is often no more than a thin layer of snow.<br \/>\nIn two-thirds of South Africa, less than 500 mm of precipitation falls per year. Most precipitation in South Africa falls during the summer, as moist air from the Indian Ocean flows inland with force. In Cape Town, however, most precipitation falls between June and September. The rain in summer often falls in short, heavy showers after which the sun quickly shines again.<\/p>\n<p>To the west of the eastern mountain ranges, rainfall is at its lowest, while the rest of the country generally receives a consistent amount of precipitation, around 1000 mm per year. Except for the southern part of the country, where the influence of weather fronts means most rainfall occurs in winter and a temperate rainy climate prevails. The east coast in the south experiences dry winters. Towards the west, it becomes progressively drier, and the central part even has a steppe climate with approximately 100 mm per year in the Kalahari Desert. In cities such as Bloemfontein and Kimberley in the central part of South Africa, temperatures easily reach 30\u00b0C in January and February.<br \/>\nThe number of sunshine hours is very high, for instance compared to the Iberian Peninsula. In Madrid, the sun shines for an average of 2910 hours per year and in Lisbon for 2740 hours. In South Africa, Cape Town has an average of 2980 hours and Pretoria 3240 hours per year. Coastal towns of the Cape Province and KwaZulu\/Natal receive on average 300 sunshine hours more than the Canary Islands.<\/p>\n<p><em>Source: landenweb.nl<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid wpex-vc-full-width-row wpex-vc-full-width-row--no-padding wpex-relative no-bottom-margins\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><div class=\"vcex-image-grid-wrap\"><div class=\"vcex-module vcex-image-grid grid-style-no-margins wpex-row wpex-clr vcex-isotope-grid no-transition wpex-overflow-hidden vcex-no-margin-grid wpex-lightbox-group\" data-transition-duration=\"0.0\"><div class=\"id-6382 vcex-image-grid-entry vcex-grid-item vcex-isotope-entry wpex-text-center vcex-no-margin-entry span_1_of_4 col col-1\"><figure class=\"vcex-image-grid-entry-figure wpex-last-mb-0 wpex-clr\"><div class=\"vcex-image-grid-entry-img entry-media wpex-relative wpex-mb-20\"><a href=\"https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/OJQwB-e1556891028557-jpeg.webp\" class=\"vcex-image-grid-entry-link wpex-lightbox-group-item\" ><img width=\"998\" height=\"666\" src=\"https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/OJQwB-e1556891028557-jpeg.webp\" class=\"wpex-align-middle skip-lazy\" alt=\"\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/OJQwB-e1556891028557-jpeg.webp 998w, https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/OJQwB-e1556891028557-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/OJQwB-e1556891028557-768x513.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/OJQwB-e1556891028557-600x400.jpeg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 998px) 100vw, 998px\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"id-6206 vcex-image-grid-entry vcex-grid-item vcex-isotope-entry wpex-text-center vcex-no-margin-entry span_1_of_4 col col-2\"><figure class=\"vcex-image-grid-entry-figure wpex-last-mb-0 wpex-clr\"><div class=\"vcex-image-grid-entry-img entry-media wpex-relative wpex-mb-20\"><a href=\"https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/MMC108-jpg.webp\" class=\"vcex-image-grid-entry-link wpex-lightbox-group-item\" data-caption=\"Mala Mala Game Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa\"><img width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/MMC108-jpg.webp\" class=\"wpex-align-middle skip-lazy\" alt=\"\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/MMC108-jpg.webp 1000w, https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/MMC108-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/MMC108-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/MMC108-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"id-6210 vcex-image-grid-entry vcex-grid-item vcex-isotope-entry wpex-text-center vcex-no-margin-entry span_1_of_4 col col-3\"><figure class=\"vcex-image-grid-entry-figure wpex-last-mb-0 wpex-clr\"><div class=\"vcex-image-grid-entry-img entry-media wpex-relative wpex-mb-20\"><a href=\"https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/sunway_south_africa_walking_in_the_drakensberg_20111024_1007155503.jpg\" class=\"vcex-image-grid-entry-link wpex-lightbox-group-item\" data-title=\"Wandel safari in de Drakensbergen Zuid Afrika\" data-caption=\"Wandel safari in de Drakensbergen Zuid Afrika\"><img width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/sunway_south_africa_walking_in_the_drakensberg_20111024_1007155503.jpg\" class=\"wpex-align-middle skip-lazy\" alt=\"Hiking safari in the Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/sunway_south_africa_walking_in_the_drakensberg_20111024_1007155503.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/sunway_south_africa_walking_in_the_drakensberg_20111024_1007155503-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/sunway_south_africa_walking_in_the_drakensberg_20111024_1007155503-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/sunway_south_africa_walking_in_the_drakensberg_20111024_1007155503-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/sunway_south_africa_walking_in_the_drakensberg_20111024_1007155503-700x467.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"id-6215 vcex-image-grid-entry vcex-grid-item vcex-isotope-entry wpex-text-center vcex-no-margin-entry span_1_of_4 col col-4\"><figure class=\"vcex-image-grid-entry-figure wpex-last-mb-0 wpex-clr\"><div class=\"vcex-image-grid-entry-img entry-media wpex-relative wpex-mb-20\"><a href=\"https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/image.png\" class=\"vcex-image-grid-entry-link wpex-lightbox-group-item\" data-title=\"Luxe safari camp rondavels Krugerpark\" data-caption=\"Luxe safari camp rondavels gelegen nabij het Krugerpark\"><img width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/image.png\" class=\"wpex-align-middle skip-lazy\" alt=\"Luxury safari camp rondavels Kruger Park\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/image.png 1000w, https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/image-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/image-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/afrikaonline.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/image-600x400.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Luxe safari camp rondavels nabij het Krugerpark. 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