South Africa
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 volume: 51.35 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%
- Total Estimated Species: ~.5 – 1 Million Species Flora and Fauna.
- Total Identified Living Species: ~59,748
- 19,723 identified fauna
- 40,025 identified flora, fungi and others.
Total Number of Endangered/Threatened Plant and Animal Species: ~850 - Plants (Flora): Over 600 (25 species are data deficient per IUCN Red List).
- Animal (Fauna): 250, includes 74 mammals and 176 birds.
- Source: Aswica.Co.Za | How Many Endangered Species In South Africa?
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:
- Research Team: iConsult Collaborative – Syracuse University
- iConsult Program Manager Leader: Ritesh Anil Ghorpade, iConsult Collaborative – Syracuse University, LinkedIn
- Principal Researcher: Shruti Pravin Kamath, iConsult Collaborative, LinkedIn
- Web Publishing: Praneel Girish Mhatre, iConsult Collaborative, LinkedIn
- Strategic Partner: Foundation for Ecology
- Database: Ecology Prime™ Data Resources
- Science Review: Dr. Jack C. Hall, Ecology Prime™
- Destinations Executive Director and Counselor: Eric McLamb, Ecology Prime™
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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.

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

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.

- 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™
Meet Your 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.
- Total water volume includes surface water (1.386 bcm or 326 million trillion gallons) and groundwater (19 bcm or 159.8 trillion gallons).
- Annual Precipitation (average): 497 mm | 18.26 inches. (South Africa’s Annual Precipitation)
- Potable (rechargeable) water supply per resident: 84 per cubic meter (22,155 million gallons).
- Supporting facts related to water in South Africa
India Destination
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
What’s Happening in Africa?
View South Africa’s Current Air Quality
Real Time Air Quality Index – AQI
(Provided by IQAir)
Click Here!


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
- Plants (Flora): Over 600 (25 species are data deficient per IUCN Red List).
- Animal (Fauna): 250, includes 74 mammals and 176 birds.
(Reference: Aswica.Co.Za | How Many Endangered Species In South Africa?) - At Risk of Extinction: Animals – Black Rhino, Southern White Rhino, Cheetah, South African Wild Dog, African Penguin, among many others. Plants – Kraaifontein spiderhead, Moraea loubseri Goldblatt, mace pagoda, among others.
- Primary Causes of Extinction: Human development – habitat loss, poaching, climate change, illegal trade, mining, overgrazing, and other environmental changes.
- South Africa ranks #20 globally for the most endangered species.



South African: Sources and Research
We’d like to credit this diverse list of organizations for providing source material to create this platform.
- Africa Wild – Crustaceans
- African Wildlife Foundation – AWF
- Air Quality – South African Risk & Vulnerability Atlas
- Animal Facts – Africa
- ASWICA.co – Smallest City in South Africa
- BIOFIN | South Africa
- Centre for Environmental Rights – South Africa
- Clean Air Fund – South Africa
- Climate Data.org – South Africa
- Convention on Biological Diversity
- EduRank – South Africa Environmental Science Universities
- Fact File – South Africa
- Fauna & Flora Conservation in South AfricaGreenpeace – Air Pollution in South Africa
- Identifying Biodiversity in South Africa | Spinger Nature
- IQAir – South Africa
- International Energy Agency (IEA) – South Africa
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- List of Marine Cnidarians of South Africa
- Marine Protected Areas South Africa
- National Library of Medicine – South Africa’s Insect Records
- Our Endangered World – Africa Environmental Organizations
- Scielo 15 – Arachnida
- South Africa Department of Energy
- South Africa Department of Environmental Affairs (DFFE)
- South Africa Gateway
- South Africa Online | Fruit Farming in South Africa
- South Africa Population (2024) – Worldometer
- South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)
- South African Government | Geography and Climate
- Statistical Review of World Energy
- Temperatures | Understanding the Climate of South Africa
- The Fact File – South Africa
- UN Environment Programme (UNEP) – Air Pollution in Africa
- United Nations FAO – AQUASTAT (South Africa)
- United Nations Statistics Division – Weather in South Africa
- Endangered Species In South Africa – Wild Response
- World Atlas – Languages of South Africa
- WorldData.info – Energy Consumption in South Africa
- World Population Prospects – Population Division – United Nations
- World Population Review – South Africa
- World Rainforests (Mongabay) – Reptile Species of South Africa
- YMT Vacations – South African Animals
- Zulu | South African History Online

Notable Environental Organizations and Platforms in South African
- African Rainforest Conservancy
- African Wildlife Foundation – (AWF)
- African Sustainable Energy Association (AFSEA)
- African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC)
- Centre for Justice Governance and Environmental Action
- Eastern Africa Environment Network (EAEN)
- Environment Liaison Centre International (ELCI)
- Environmental Education Through Film (EETF)
- Green Africa Foundation
- The Green Belt Movement (GBM)
- The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF)

Notable South African Colleges & Universities for Environmental Studies
- North-West University South Africa (Environment & Geographical Science)
- University of Cape Town (Environmental & Geographical Science)
- University of Johannesburg (Environment & Geographical Science)
- University of Pretoria (Environmental & Geographical Science)
- University of the Witwatersrand (Environmental & Geographical Science)
Research & Development Credits:

- Principal Research Group: iConsult Collaborative – Syracuse University
- Research Team: iConsult Collaborative – Syracuse University
- iConsult Program Manager Leader: Ritesh Anil Ghorpade, iConsult Collaborative – Syracuse University, LinkedIn
- Principal Researcher: Shruti Pravin Kamath, iConsult Collaborative, LinkedIn
- Web Publishing: Praneel Girish Mhatre, iConsult Collaborative, LinkedIn
- Strategic Partner: Foundation for Ecology
- Database: Ecology Prime™ Data Resources
- Science Review: Dr. Jack C. Hall, Ecology Prime™
- Destinations Executive Director and Counselor: Eric McLamb, Ecology Prime™
