South Africa

Official Language

Zulu

Destination Stats

Population
Surface Area
Temperature
Water
Energy
Air Quality
Flora
Fauna

South Africa is distinguished for its subtropical location at the southernmost tip of the African continent, its prolific biodiversity and varied communities of ecosystems and its ethnic and culture diversity. 

This section provides quick and additional distinctive details about South Africa that define its ecological uniqueness.  Just choose any tab for the area you would like to explore.

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  • Projected population growth: 67.38 million by 2029; 93.4 million by 2100.  
  • The estimated population of South Africa in 2024 is 64,007,200 as of December 31, a 1.25 % increase from 2023.
  • 51.3 % Female; 48.7% male. 
  • 81.4% | 7.3% White South African | 8.2%  Multiracial | 2.7% Indian South African | 0.4% others.
  • Indigenous peoples: ~1 % of the population. They are known as the Khoe-San (also known as the Khoisan).

Source: South Africa Population

  • Footprint: 3.31hectares
  • Biocapacity: 1.15 gha/person (negative biocapacity)
  • Biocapacity Deficit: -2.16
  • Global Ranking: 75
  • Agriculture: 79.42% | 96.8 million hectares  | 239 million acres
    • Permanent meadows and pastures:  87 % | 84.22 Mha | 208 million acres
    • Arable Land and Permanent Crops: 13% | 12.58 Mha | 31.1 million acres
  • Forests – 0.4% | 487.6 hectares (ha) | ~1.2 million acres
  • Artificial Space (Human Development):  2.81 % |3.43 Mha | 8.48 million acres
  • Wetlands & Water Bodies: 0.38% | 462,000 ha | 1.14 million acres
  • *Arid & Semi-Arid:  16.5% | 20.11 Mha | 49.7 million acres**.
    * Does not include human development on arid land.
    ** Total arid land & semi-arid land is 18.96% | 23.12 Mha | 57.1 million acres.
  • Other: 0.49%

Note: 11,280,684 hectares (27.875 million acres) of South Africa’s land is protected by the South African government. Protected areas are national assets and serve as elements in South Africa’s ecological infrastructure network, protecting ecosystems that deliver important services to people, such as the production of clean water, flood moderation, prevention of erosion, and the aesthetic value of the landscape.

  • Primary Food Products

South Africa has a highly diversified agricultural sector which includes the production of  the major grains including oil seeds, deciduous and subtropical fruits, sugar, citrus, wine, most vegetables, cattle, dairy, pigs, sheep, broilers, ostriches and eggs.

  • Top Non-crop Food Commodities:

Poultry meat, animal feed, dairy products, tree nuts, planting seeds, fresh fruit, especially citrus, and wine.

  • Top Non-Food Products:

Electronics and Technology, Clothing and Apparel, Automobiles, Cosmetics and Personal Care Products, Home Appliances, Health and Wellness Products, Outdoor and Sports Equipment.

  • Average Annual Surface Temperature: 18.42°C |65.68 °F
  • Climate:  South Africa shares both temperate and tropical climates, located 3,398.06 km (2,111.46 mi) south of the equator.
  • Seasons: South Africa’s weather is affected primarily by the cooler waters of the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the warmer waters of the Indian Ocean to the south and west.  Unlike the tropical countries of Africa, South Africa is subtropical and has four distinct weather seasons.  They are:
  • Fall: March – May. 64°F – 86°F | 18°C – 30°C.
  • Winter: June – August. 50°F – 79°F | 10°C – 26°C.
  • Spring: September – November. 64°F – 88°F | 18°C – 31°C.
  • Summer: December – February.66.2°F – 95°F | 19°C – 35°C.
  • Total Water volume51.35 km3 | 13,568.104 quadrillion gallons.
  • Potable Water Supply per Person: 0.000235 km3 | 0.06206 billion gallons.
  • Average Precipitation: 497 mm | 18.26 inches.
  • Annual Precipitation*: 515 mm (20.27 inches).
    *Liquid water equivalent.  This is the annual precipitation amount, including all forms of precipitation (including snow, sleet, etc.) converted into the equivalent amount of liquid water.
  • Therefore, the asterisk (*) serves to clarify that the annual precipitation figure provided (515 mm or 20.27 inches) is already considered in terms of its liquid water equivalent, taking into account the water content of all precipitation types combined.

Important Facts:

  • People in South Africa withdraw 20.3 billion gallons (0.0768 km3) water a day, including both fresh and salt water.
  • Approximately 61% of the country’s population relies on public water supply with 39% dependent on domestic wells.
  • Total Energy Used: 6,90,213 BTU | 0.01739 MTOE | 202.29 billion kWh – kilowatt hours)
  • Global Rank in Energy Consumption: 23
  • Primary fuel sources used:  Fossil Fuels-94.24%, Renewables – 3.88%, Nuclear – 1.89%.
  • Almost 12.95% of the country’s electricity needs comes from renewable energy.
  • Renewable Energy Sources: Wind – 48.76% | Hydropower –15.58 % | Solar – 31.15 % | Biofuels – 1.87% | Other (includes Geothermal, Biomass, Waste Energy) – 2.64%

Five of the of the fascinating and intriguing Natural Wonders of South Africa among many:

  • Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking Cape Town and its port, as well as serving as a natural barrier between the Atlantic seaboard and the inland plateau. The summit of Table Mountain has an elevation of 1,086 m (3,563 ft.). The main feature of Table Mountain that most people are familiar with is its flat top. This makes it ideal for viewpoints; there is no other place where you can see all sides of the city at once like this!
  • Cape of Good Hope is the southernmost tip of South Africa’s Cape Peninsula. It is known for the stormy weather and rough seas encountered there. One of the southernmost points in Africa, it is among the most famous capes in maritime history. Its discovery by Europeans in the 15th century opened the first all-water route from Europe to Asia.
  • The Cango Caves are Africa’s largest show caves and one of the Seven Wonders of Southern Africa, which makes the Cango Caves the archaeological and historical highlight of the Klein Karoo. It lies 29km from Oudtshoorn in the picturesque Cango Valley and is situated in a limestone ridge that runs parallel to the well-known Swartberg Mountains. It was originally thought to be only about 1km long, but the caves have been discovered to extend naturally for well over 5km – however it could be even longer, larger and more mysterious than current estimates.
  • Victoria Falls also known as “Mosi oa-Tunya” (“the smoke that thunders”) is positioned almost exactly half way along the mighty Zambezi River’s 2,700 km journey from its source to the sea.  Here the river plunges headlong into a 100m vertical chasm spanning the full one-and-a-half kilometer width of the river, creating the biggest curtain of falling water in the world and also one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
  • The Little Karoo is a region in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is also known as the Klein Karoo or the Southern Karoo. It lies south of the Great Karoo region.  The Little Karoo lies between the Groot-Swart, Lange, and Outeniqua mountain ranges. This area is about 150 miles (245 kilometers) long. The Little Karoo has many different geographical features, including mountains, valleys, and rivers. There are many impressive mountain passes in the Little Karoo.

Credits*:

Destinations – South Africa is a proprietary presentation of Ecology Prime™ in collaboration with the Ecology Prime Foundation and iConsult Collaborative in the College of Professional Studies at Syracuse University.

Acknowledgements:

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Welcome from the Republic of South Africa!

Though Indonesia is primarily located in the tropics, its weather remains mild and consistent throughout the year. From lush rainforests to over 99,000 South Africa, officially known as the Republic of South Africa, is the ninth largest of 54 countries and four dependent territories of the African continent by surface area and the 26th largest country worldwide.  As its name implies, the country is located at the southernmost tip of Africa, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Indian Ocean to the south and southeast.  Five other African countries border South Africa to the north and northeast, and it completely encircles the sovereign nation of Lesotho

Cape Town, WC, South Africa. (Pexels photo by Niklas Eichler)

Known for its ethnic and cultural diversity, South Africa is home to over 64 million people and growing.  It ranks as the world’s 24th most populous country and Africa’s sixth most populous nation.  As its younger generations have moved to cities in favor of a more western-oriented culture; over time, a unique culture has developed that interweaves the traditional South African cultures and western cultures, especially manifested in food, art, music and conservation ideologies.

Ecotourism in South Africa has significantly increased in recent years as a way of maintaining and improving biodiversity.  Altogether, South Arica’s biodiversity along with its conservation services create an invaluable foundation for its economy.

South Africa and the Southern African region are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to its limited capacity to adapt.  Located in the Southern Hemisphere’s subtropical zone, its climate ranges from the extreme desert southern Namib in its northwest corner to the lush subtropical climate in the east along the border with Mozambique and the Indian Ocean.  Parts of the region will see an increase in temperature by about 1 °C (1.8 °F) along the coast to more than 4 °C (7.2 °F) in the already hot Northern Cape by 2050.  The extreme southwest has a climate similar to that of the Mediterranean with wet winters and hot, dry summers.Comprising one of the world’s most diverse communities of ecosystems – from subtropical forests, bush and grasslands to mountains, deserts, fresh water and marine systems – South Africa is one of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries as identified by Conservation International. The country is documented for its high level of endemic species, home to over 95,000 species of plants and animals.  Welcome to South Africa’s cultural hub on Ecology Prime!  This is South Africa….

Primary Official Language: Zulu

  • There are 12 official languages of South Africa:  Zulu (the largest), Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Afrikaans, English and South African Sign Language.  
  • English is the working language of South Africa, used as the dominant language in business, government, and media.  English is also spoken across all ethnic groups and offers a medium of communication between the different languages and visitors (non-citizens).
  • The four largest languages are Zulu (23%), Xhosa (16%), Afrikaans (14%) and English (10%).
  • Indigenous languages spoken among the South African population: At least 35
Kalahari Khomani San Bushman Children – Boesmansrus Camp, Northern Cape, South Africa (Wikimedia CC 2.0 by South African Tourism)

Unique South Africa Facts: Did You Know…?

  • South Africa’s lion, wildebeest, cheetah and springbok are four of the seven fastest mammals on Earth. Of these, the cheetah is the fastest animal on Earth with the capability of running at speeds up to and over 60 mph (96.5 km/h). 
  • The world’s largest known diamond, the Cullinan diamond, was discovered in 1905 at the Premier Mine near Pretoria. The size: is 3,106 carats and it weighs roughly 1.3 pounds.  
  • With more than six million trees, Johannesburg is believed to hold the largest man-made forest on Earth.
  • South Africa has one of the world’s youngest populations by age.  The median age of a person in the country is 27, compared to 38 in the United States, 40 in the United Kingdom, and about 47 in both Germany and Japan.  
  • The African Elephant is the largest living land animal in the world; they  can weigh up to 11 tons and live up to 70 years!  Its largest population in South Africa is 17,433 at Kruger National Park.
  • South Africa ranks eighth among the biggest wine-producing countries on the planet.
  • Two-thirds of Africa’s electricity is generated in South Africa.  Currently the only country in Africa that possesses a nuclear power plant, it is the largest producer of electricity on the African continent, ranking #21 globally in electricity production.
  • South Africa is the seventh largest coal producer in the world and consumes almost three-quarters of that domestically.
  • About one-fifth of the world’s gold comes from mines in South Africa.
  • There are around 900 different types of birds in South Africa, which makes up about 10% of the total bird species on Earth.
  • The oldest human remains, more than 160,000 years old, were discovered in South Africa.
  • There are only 6 floral kingdoms on the planet, and South Africa is home to one of them, namely Fynbos.
  • South Africa is the second largest producer of fruit on the planet. Producing about five million tons of fruit annually, they include a wide range from pineapples, grapes, apples, tomatoes, strawberries, peaches (stone fruits), pears and mangoes, to guava, dragon fruit, persimmon, cherries, avocados, cantaloupe, bananas, cucumbers, dates and many other varieties.
  • Scientists have discovered that South Africa is an important center of human evolution.  Many human remains, tools, and artifacts from more than 100,000 years ago were found in South Africa, earning it the name of “The Cradle of Humankind”.
  • South African coastlines are full of marine life such as sharks and dolphins, with more than 2,000 different species visiting the area at some stage during the year.
  • Despite skiing and snowboarding not being typical winter sports in the country, it is possible to enjoy them in the Drakensberg Mountains.
African Elephants in Kruger National Park – South Africa (Pexels photos by Isis Petroni)
  • Though the African elephant is listed as endangered to critically endangered, the 2023 South African Elephant population is considered stable due to rigorous conservation measures.  The country’s elephant population has grown from about 120 in 1920 in four locations, to nearly 20,000 40 locations today.  
  • Table Mountain is one of the 12 main energy centers on the planet emitting spiritual, magnetic, and electric energies. (Also checkout: Getting Spiritual-Table Mountain)

South Africa Home Statistics 

(Note: Some statistics are approximate due to varying methods of recording by various established sources, i.e., population, living species and water volume totals.  Others are more precise, i.e., surface area, precipitation/rainfall, air quality and temperatures.) 

Population

Total Population: 64,007,200  (2024) | 64,465,553 Projected by 2030

  • World Rank: 24, 0.75% of the world’s total population. 
  • Population Density: 50 people per km2 | 129 people per mi2.  
  • Most Populous City: Cape Town | 3,433,441 
  • Least Populous City: Madisonian | 130 

Surface Area

Total Surface Area: 1,219,090 km2 | 47,0693 mi2

(* Does not include the sovereign nation of Lesotho, which is enclosed by South Africa.  Including Lesotho, the total surface area is 1,221,037 km2 | 471,445 mi2.) 

  • 99.6% is Land Surface Area:  1,214,470km (about 754636.67 mi)2 (468,910mi (about 754637.5 km2) – 0.8% of the world’s total land area. 
  • 0.4% is Water Surface Area: 4,620km (about 2870.73 mi2 (1,780 mi (about 2864.63 km2  – 0.0013% of the world’s water surface.  

New! Mother Earth™


Temperature

Average Annual Temperature: 18.28°C |64.90°F* 

  • Average High – 28°C |63°F, Average Low – 18°C | 64°F.   
  • Hottest Month (average high): January | 24.90C (76.70°F).   
  • Coldest Month (average low): July | 8°C (47°F).   
  • Coldest temperature on record: -16.4°C (2.5°F) in Sutherland on July 12, 2003. 
  • Hottest temperature on record: 50.0°C (122.0°F) in Dunbrody, Eastern Cape on November 3, 1918].

Water

Total Water Volume: 51.35 billion cubic meters (bcm) – or about 431.4 trillion gallons.   

India Destination

The Republic of India

Official Language Hindi Destination Stats Welcome from The Republic of India! India, formally known as The Republic of India, is home to over 1.4 billion people, becoming the world’s most populous country in April 2023. The country occupies the world’s seventh largest area of land – including water surface – of nearly 3.3 million square kilometers…
Read More The Republic of India

Energy

Annual Total Energy Usage (est. for 2023): 1,351 TWh | 1.351 Trillion KWh | 4.6 Quadrillion BTU | 116.17 MTOE

  • Global Ranking in Energy Consumption: 23. 
  • Percentage of Total Global Energy Consumption: 0.77%. 
  • Per Capita Energy Consumption: 75.4 Million Btu | 22,351 kWh per capita

Energy Sources:  Oil : 22.08% | Coal – 68.75% | Natural Gas – 3.40% | Renewables–3.88% | Nuclear – 1.89%   

Renewable Energy Sources: Wind – 48.76% | Solar – 31.15% | Hydro – 15.58% | Biofuels –     1.87% | Other (includes Geothermal, Biomass, Waste Energy) – 2.64%

Electricity Sources: Coal – 83.78% | Gas – 5.4% | Nuclear – 5.78% | Hydro – 2.14% | Wind – 1.58% | Solar – 1.32%.

(Source: Statistical Review of World Energy)

Air Quality

Air Quality Index – AQI: 53 – Moderate

(2024 Average of most polluted and least polluted cities across South Africa) 

Global ranking – 2023: 47 most polluted nation of 147 monitored. 
(Based on 2023 AQI average of 67.) 

Most polluted city -2023:  Benoni, Gauteng – 149 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups)

Least polluted city – 2023: Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape – 9 (Good)

Leading pollutants and sources – Air pollution is the second largest threat to health in South Africa, primarily due to unchecked fossil fuel combustion.

Primary Sources of Pollution:  Vehicle/aircraft and other domestic fuel burning, industrial emissions, landfill gas emission, coal mining, oil refineries.Fossil Fuels: Reliance on fossil fuels for electricity is the greatest contributor to the high levels of nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide exposed to South Africans through the air. These among the world’s most prevalent air pollutants.

Around the World

Rift Valley, Kenya

What’s Happening in Africa?

(EP News) –  A New Ocean is Forming in the Middle of Africa! … The major solid rock plate which makes up the African continent is splitting in two along rifts in Eastern Africa.  A 35-mile (56 km) crack emerged in the Ethiopian desert in 2005 that shows the creation of a new ocean.  The fault is located within the Great Rift Valley will eventually split Africa into two unequal parts. Geologists say this has been happening for some time and a new ocean will not appear for some 5 million years or so. We can wait! 🙂
Read More What’s Happening in Africa?


Cape Town, South Africa at Night (Wikimedia Creative Commons 2.0 by Visions of Domino)

Fauna

Estimated Total Number Living Species: ~.5 – 1 Million Species

Source: Identifying Biodiversity in South Africa | Spinger Nature

( This is the total number of plant and animal species that is estimated to exist but have not been identified. Numbers are approximate due to various reporting methods by various qualified organizations.)

Total Number of Identified Living Species: ~59,748.

Identified Fauna: 19,723 species – about 1.7 % of the world’s 1.2 million identified animal species. 

  • Invertebrates:  15,831
    • Insects: 4,088
    • Arachnids: 2,240
    • Crustaceans: 2,333
    • Mollusks: 4,000
    • Cnidaria (i.e., coral, anemones, jellyfish):  2,000
    • Worms: 1,170 

  • Vertebrates:  3,892
    • Fishes:  2,000
    • Birds:  846
    • Mammals: 299 
    • Reptiles: 447
    • Amphibians: 300

Identified Flora:  40,025 species 

  • Flowering Plants:~20,000
  • Algae: ~6,900
  • Ferns and Fern Allies: ~320
  • Conifers: ~630
  • Mosses & Liverworts: ~9,000
  • Fungi & Lichens: ~3,000
  • Other (bacteria, plankton, some algae, etc.): ~175

Flora

Total Number of Endangered/Threatened Plant and Animal Species:  ~850

African Penguins – Betty’s Bay, WC, South Africa (Pexels photo by Harry Cunningham)
Kraaifontein spiderhead, endangered plant species in South Africa.

Sources and Research | Ecology Prime

South African: Sources and Research

We’d like to credit this diverse list of organizations for providing source material to create this platform.


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