Capital- Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial)
(About SA: http://www.info.gov.za/aboutsa/glance.htm)
(About SA: http://www.info.gov.za/aboutsa/glance.htm)
Population- 49.32 million mid 2009
• Composition of South Africa-black 79.7%; white 9.1%; colored 8.8%; Asian (Indian) 2.2%
(South Africa: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2898.htm)
• Composition of South Africa-black 79.7%; white 9.1%; colored 8.8%; Asian (Indian) 2.2%
(South Africa: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2898.htm)
Official Languages- English, isiZulu, isiXhosa, isiNdebele, Afrikaans, siSwati, Sesotho sa Leboa, Sesotho, Setswana, Tshivenda, Xitsonga (SA website)
Legacy of Apartheid- Many aspects of the legacy of Apartheid can be seen in South Africa today. Prior to 1994 with the election of Nelson Mandela the country had been ruled by a small white minority. This institutionalized oppression known as Apartheid was extremely harsh on black people and the country continues to have many problems associated with this legacy.
Government Type- Constitutional Multiparty
• Political Parties- African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), Congress of the People (COPE), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Pan-African Congress (PAC), Vryheidsfront Plus/Freedom Front Plus (FF+), United Democratic Movement (UDM), African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), and Azanian Peoples Organization (Azapo). (State website)
• Political Parties- African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), Congress of the People (COPE), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Pan-African Congress (PAC), Vryheidsfront Plus/Freedom Front Plus (FF+), United Democratic Movement (UDM), African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), and Azanian Peoples Organization (Azapo). (State website)
Religion- Predominantly Christian; traditional African, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish (State website)
Economy-
• GDP (2009): $287 billion
• Real GDP growth rate: 3.1% (2008); -1.8% (2009); 3.7% (5-year average)
• GDP per capita (2009): $5,787
• Unemployment (first quarter 2010): 25.2% (State website)
• Industrial Sector- minerals, mining, motor vehicles and parts, machinery, textiles, chemicals, fertilizer, information technology, electronics, other manufacturing, and agro-processing
• Exports-minerals and metals, motor vehicles and parts, agricultural products to China, US, UK, Japan, and Germany and Africa
• Taken from (State Website)
HIV/AIDS
• South Africa has one of the highest infection rates in the word with 5.7 million people living with HIV/AIDS
• 18.% of people aged between 15-49 are infected
• 11.8% of entire population is infected
• 350,000 people die annually in South Africa as an effect of HIV/AIDS
International Relations
• South Africa remains a regional hegemonic power within Africa and more especially Southern Africa. It exports its products and culture throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and is a major player within the African Union.
• South Africa economy is often linked to being close to the group of BRIC countries (emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China). It is a member of the G20 which represents the top 20 countries of the world.
• Prior to 1994 South Africa was heavily sanctioned by many countries of the world due to its Apartheid government. After 1994 the majority of the sanctions were lifted.
• The US has always had a strong presence in South Africa since colonial times, their relationship with the Apartheid regime was very controversial and their relationship is growing today.
• GDP (2009): $287 billion
• Real GDP growth rate: 3.1% (2008); -1.8% (2009); 3.7% (5-year average)
• GDP per capita (2009): $5,787
• Unemployment (first quarter 2010): 25.2% (State website)
• Industrial Sector- minerals, mining, motor vehicles and parts, machinery, textiles, chemicals, fertilizer, information technology, electronics, other manufacturing, and agro-processing
• Exports-minerals and metals, motor vehicles and parts, agricultural products to China, US, UK, Japan, and Germany and Africa
• Taken from (State Website)
HIV/AIDS
• South Africa has one of the highest infection rates in the word with 5.7 million people living with HIV/AIDS
• 18.% of people aged between 15-49 are infected
• 11.8% of entire population is infected
• 350,000 people die annually in South Africa as an effect of HIV/AIDS
International Relations
• South Africa remains a regional hegemonic power within Africa and more especially Southern Africa. It exports its products and culture throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and is a major player within the African Union.
• South Africa economy is often linked to being close to the group of BRIC countries (emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China). It is a member of the G20 which represents the top 20 countries of the world.
• Prior to 1994 South Africa was heavily sanctioned by many countries of the world due to its Apartheid government. After 1994 the majority of the sanctions were lifted.
• The US has always had a strong presence in South Africa since colonial times, their relationship with the Apartheid regime was very controversial and their relationship is growing today.
Human Development Index-
• The Human Development index for South Africa in 2009 was .683 which ranked number it 129 in the world (Human Development Report 2009: South Africa, (http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/country_fact_sheets/cty_fs_ZAF.html )
• The Human Development index for South Africa in 2009 was .683 which ranked number it 129 in the world (Human Development Report 2009: South Africa, (http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/country_fact_sheets/cty_fs_ZAF.html )
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