EGP of South Africa: description, characteristics, main features and interesting facts. Republic of South Africa All about South Africa

The article tells about the richest region of the black continent. Contains clarifying information about which states are part of South Africa.

South Africa

This is a region that has a palette of all kinds of natural resources. The mining industry is developed here. Precious metals, diamonds, chromites, iron ore, polymetals and coal are actively mined. These extractive industries are common in South Africa and Zimbabwe. In these states, the main enterprises are concentrated that are focused on the processing of fossil raw materials.

In the main part of the countries of southern Africa, consumer and export crops of the agricultural sector are the same as in all other countries of the continent. The main feature of the countries of the region is that some countries (Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland) are focused on the production and export of livestock products. Despite the efforts made by developing countries, Africa is the periphery of the global economy. The structure of the colonial industrial and territorial economy still operates in this region. Strengthening economic and political cooperation is the main task of the states of the continent.

The area of this region is 6605628.1 sq. km. km.

South African countries

South African countries include:

Zimbabwe;
Namibia;
Swaziland;
Botswana;
Lesotho;
Mozambique;
Madagascar;
Reunion;
Mauritius;
Seychelles and Comoros.

Rice. 1 Plants Of South Africa

The memory of the period of colonization is still alive in the history of the region. However, this fact did not have a significant impact on the culture and customs of the indigenous people of the region. Such a phenomenon as colonization was highly reflected in the economic growth of individual countries. The largest and most developed country in this region is South Africa.

What have we learned?

We found out how many countries are included in the South Africa region. We learned which of the states is the most populated and what factors influenced this. We received information about the exact number of people living in these territories. We got acquainted with the ethnic diversity of the indigenous population. We learned which of the most ancient peoples inhabit the region.

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South Africa or the Republic of South Africa (RSA) is one of the largest states in Africa. The country is located in the extreme south of the mainland. And, figuratively speaking, it is a giant breakwater separating two oceans, the Atlantic (in the west) and the Indian (in the east).

The boundary between these two giant terrestrial bodies of water passes through the southernmost point of Africa, also known as Agulhas. Visually, it is not very impressive, but if you study the history of shipwrecks ... Getting to the watershed is relatively easy. If we take as a starting point, - only 170 km along the highway.

Capitals of South Africa

There are THREE capitals in South Africa! Pretoria is the city where the government and other institutions of executive power are located. Cape Town is home to Parliament, and Bloemfontein is home to the Supreme Court!

Such a unique "triplicity" of capitals goes back to the beginning of the 20th century, when, under the auspices of the British Empire, the Union of South Africa was formed in 1910, the capitals of the states included in this confederation (the British colonies of Cape and Natal, Boer : Republics of the Free Orange State, and the South African Republic or Transvaal), each received its own branch of government.

It is noteworthy that in the British Cape Town remained the symbol and cornerstone of the English political system - Parliament. Other .

Johannesburg, Joburg, is not one of the capitals, but the most populated city. Like Pretoria, it is located in the northern part of the country. And it is considered not the most friendly place in relation to tourists - crime here blooms in full bloom.

Visas

The interstate agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of South Africa, which entered into force on March 31, 2017, abolished visas for certain categories of citizens. The rule applies to those who plan to stay in the country for no more than 90 days. And travels for tourism or business purposes.

Cape Town is the country's most popular tourist destination. A special boom is observed at Christmas and New Year. When it's summer in South Africa.

Durban is the third most populated city in the country (3.5 million inhabitants including suburbs) and Africa's largest port. Due to the warm subtropical climate and gorgeous beaches, Durban is a major tourist center.

Pretoria (Pretoria Philadelphia) - about 700 thousand people live in the city itself. If you count together with the suburbs, the population reaches 3 million. It is in Pretoria that the executive authorities and the main government institutions lodge.

South Africa - how many are there? And what interesting facts can you tell about them? This will be discussed in the article.

South African countries: list, regionalization approaches

By name, it is easy to guess that this region is located in the southern part of the "black continent". All countries have approximately the same natural and climatic conditions, as well as similar features of historical development.

It begins south of the watershed plateau of the Zambezi and Congo rivers. According to the UN zoning of our planet, the countries of South Africa are only five states (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland). According to another classification, this historical and geographical region also includes Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, as well as the exotic island state of Madagascar.

All countries in South Africa are listed below with their capitals (according to the UN version). The list of states is submitted in order of decreasing area of the territory:

South Africa (Pretoria).
Namibia (Windhoek).
Botswana (Gaborone).
Lesotho (Maseru).
Swaziland (Mbabane).

The largest state in the region

A multicultural and multinational state, one of the most developed on the mainland in economic terms. Often this republic is called the "rainbow country".

The most interesting facts about South Africa:

every third diamond mined on Earth is extracted from the bowels of this particular country;
in South Africa, the world's first human heart transplant operation took place (in 1967);
citizens of the republic are endowed with broad rights in the field of the use of weapons for the purpose of protection, up to a flamethrower;
South Africa ranks third in the world in terms of drinking water quality;
one of the traditional South African dishes - monkey meat steaks;
wife (the eighth president of South Africa) was the "first lady" twice (previously she was the wife of the president of Mozambique).

Swaziland - South Africa

Swaziland is a small state in the south of the continent, which borders only two countries - South Africa and Mozambique.

The most interesting facts about Swaziland:

the head of this state is the real king, who is very loved and revered in Swaziland (his portraits can be seen here even on the clothes of local residents);
Swaziland is a very poor country, but the roads here are of excellent quality;
the oldest mathematical work was discovered in this country;
the state leads the world in terms of the spread of HIV, every fourth adult resident here is a carrier of the virus;
in Swaziland, husband and wife (or wives) live in separate houses.

The countries of South Africa are extremely interesting and colorful. There really is something to be surprised and amazed!

South Africa is a real mix of people and cultures. This is how it has been in these lands for centuries. A relatively young state within the framework of world civilization, it dates back to 1961, the moment of gaining independence from Great Britain. But its history is much deeper and richer.

Here rational modern cities are mixed with the primitive culture of ethnic settlers. Some of the world's finest sandy beaches along the coastline are adjacent to the rainforests along the Limpopo River and the Dragon Mountains. The lands of this country are rich in gold, platinum and diamonds, and its vast expanses are inhabited by exotic animals. Good hotels, noble wines, the opportunity to experience the junction of history and culture. All this is South Africa. And this country is not quite the same as we used to imagine Africa.

Cape Town, South Africa. The author of the photo is Andrey Sulitsky.

Country on the edge of the earth

The Republic of South Africa occupies the southernmost strip of the continent. On both sides, its territory is caressed by the waves of two oceans - the Atlantic in the west and the Indian in the eastern part. And on land, its neighbors are Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Swaziland, Mozambique, and Lesotho.

Almost 55 million people live on an area of 1 million 220 square kilometers, and this fact allows it to take 24th place on the world map in terms of territorial indicator. They speak 11 official languages. The vast majority of them are Africans - almost 80% of the population. Whites in the country are a little over 8% and almost all of them live in cities. Mulattos are also distinguished separately, of which there are almost as many as whites.

The territory of the country is divided into 9 provinces, each of which has its own administrative center. It is noteworthy that in South Africa there is not one, but three capitals at once: Pretoria is administrative, it houses the parliament; Cape Town - legislative, the government is located here; and Bloemfontein - judicial, at the seat of the Supreme Court. This has a historical background, since the country was previously confederate. There is an opinion that Pretoria was renamed Tshwane, but this is not true.

The climate of South Africa is changeable, as is the relief of the country. As for the climatic zones, they are very different here - from dry to subtropical. The location of the country in the southern hemisphere determines its seasonality. Summer comes in January and winter in May. During the winter months, there is a high pressure zone above the Central Plateau. This brings cold and dry weather to many regions. At the same time, in the extreme south at this time there are heavy rains. In summer, the country is at the mercy of the winds blowing from the Indian Ocean. The Bengal current, along the west coast, also makes its own adjustments. The decrease in temperature is observed from east to west. If the average annual temperature in Durban is + 22 ° C, then in Port Nollot it is only + 14 ° C. The minimum temperature in winter in the country does not fall below + 2 ° C at night. However, South Africa is not an African country where you do not need to take warm clothes with you. Cool nights are here even in summer.

Interesting meeting, South Africa. Author of the photo - Vitorio Ricci.

If you dig into history

The fact that these territories have been inhabited since ancient times is proved by the artifacts found in the caves. Here lived the Hottenot cattle breeders, and the Bushmen engaged in gathering, and the Bantu, whose trade was agriculture. However, nothing is known for certain about this period.

In the middle of the 17th century, on the southernmost point of the continent, which was called the Cape of Good Hope, the Dutch founded their first settlement in which Europeans lived. It is now located in Cape Town. Later, they were expected to clash with the African Xhosa people, who also set their sights on these lands. But by that time, not only the Dutch, but also the French had settled here. Kosa were forced to retreat. And the European colonizers founded the Cape colony, where they brought slaves from the territories controlled by the Netherlands.

The next major milestone in the history of South Africa is associated with the British crown. The first attempts to take these lands for themselves, the British made at the end of the XVII century, when Holland got involved in a war with Napoleon. But then, the Netherlands left Kapstad behind. Only 10 years have passed, and the next entry of the British to establish control over these lands was crowned with success.

The rule of Britain on these lands in the 19th and early 20th centuries was marked by two Anglo-Boer wars. The Boers are Afrikaner farmers, rural whites and poor whites who constituted a separate sub-ethnic group. During the first war, they were able to defend their right to independence, and during the second they failed. Later, in 1902, as a result of the Treaty of Veringhing, Britain paid £3 million in compensation for the devastation of Boer farmland. And the reason for these wars was the gold and diamonds found on the territory of modern South Africa.

The second war was described by Louis Boussinard in his novels "Captain Head Off" and "The Diamond Thieves". Although they were created on a historical foundation, they are pure works of art. But Arthur Conan Doyle is the author of the historical work The War in South Africa. Remarkably, Boussenard's heroes defending their lands were the Boers, while Conan Doyle justified the policy of the British.

The very beginning of the twentieth century was marked by the creation of the Union of South Africa. In addition to the Cape colony, the Transval, Natal and Orange rivers became part of it. They continued to live under the protectorate of the British crown. Independence, and at the same time its new name - the Republic of South Africa, the country gained in 1961. Since then, the British Monarchy has ended and a new era has begun.

Giraffe, South Africa. Author of the photo - Keri Eng.

Apartheid. Black period in the history of South Africa

There is a long period in the history of the country when the black population, first of South Africa, and then of South Africa, was actually a stranger in their own land. In the middle of the 20th century, nationalists won the local parliamentary elections. They came under the slogans of apartheid - a policy of segregation that divided the population along racial lines.

It was carried out in two waves. The first was softer, and the second was much harder. As a result, blacks, Asians, which included the Indians, and "colored" were deprived of all civil rights. They were denied citizenship, they could not elect and be elected to power. Blacks did not even have the right to go outside after sunset, as well as enter areas where the white population lived. This brought with it other restrictions. For example, to receive medical care or education. They were not banned, just hospitals and schools were located on the territory of the "whites". And doctors "for blacks" either did not exist at all, or they were much less qualified. If an employer employed a black man in his company who was allowed to enter the city, and not everyone had such a right, he was obliged to build housing for him in a separate area. Mixed marriages were also banned at the state level.

These are just a few of the restrictions that affected the non-European population in these lands. And they lasted until the beginning of 1989, when a number of laws were repealed. Apartheid officially ended only in 1994.

Nelson Mandela was an active fighter against all oppressions. For his active position, he was persecuted and ended up in prison. Mandela left after the end of apartheid. In the same year, he became president of the country in democratic elections. For more than half a century, a huge gulf has formed between whites and the rest of the population of South Africa. Poorly educated citizens are forced to work in low-paid jobs, which does not allow them to escape from poverty.

The effects of apartheid are still being felt in the country today. At the same time, it is in the opposite direction. Under pressure for decades, the indigenous people of South Africa began to hate whites. Already in the III millennium, the largest cities became a testing ground for uprisings against migrants. There were no human casualties. Tens of thousands of people fled their homes.

If in the 90s the white population was 30%, then by 2010, it was less than 10%. The descendants of Europeans live in separate communities, in well-protected areas, in large cities. Even qualified engineers find it difficult to get a job, since there are few blacks applying for this position. Despite their lower qualifications, they will be accepted into the company. Many whites left for neighboring Zambia.

Lion, Mosetlha, Madikwe Reserve, South Africa. Photo by flowcomm.

The most developed African economy, or how South Africa lives today

According to its economic indicators, the Republic of South Africa ranks 57th in the world ranking. And in terms of GDP, it is at 33m. It is the only African country that is part of the G20. Despite this, it is still not a developed country in the world and is in the segment of developing economies.

The main revenue items for the budget are minerals - gold, platinum and diamonds. Mechanical engineering goods, cars, and equipment are also exported. South Africa imports oil, chemical products and foodstuffs.

The arid climate is to blame for food imports. Because of it, only 15% of the land of the entire large territory of the country is suitable for agriculture. Their reasonable use makes it possible to largely cover the needs of the population. And if you also take into account fruits, then they are grown even in excess. Today, South Africa is one of the world's largest suppliers of these products, offering the market more than 140 different species and varieties.

The country actively breeds cows of meat and dairy breeds, astrakhan sheep, and angora goats. Their skins and wool are a profitable export product. In addition, the Republic of South Africa ranks first among the countries of the continent in terms of commercial fishing. In Europe, sea bass, Cape salmon and mackerel caught here are highly valued. And the countries of Southeast Asia are actively buying up lobsters, octopuses, oysters and sharks.

Tourism is one of the significant items filling the budget. The industry generates more than 10 billion in revenue annually and this amount is constantly growing. People go to South Africa for the local flavor and the organic combination of wild pristine nature with the modern character of big cities. And, of course, wine. The varieties from the southern coast are most valued, where the climate is conducive to the maturation of noble grapes.

Why visit South Africa
Among all African countries, South Africa is relatively safe for tourists. Yes, they are not recommended to carry expensive equipment with them, leave money and valuables outside the hotel safes. Yes, and ride alone in the evening on fixed-route taxis, buses or walk around the city too. This is the aftermath of apartheid when whites were targeted. Also, drink bottled water. Although, more than 86% of the inhabitants are provided with water in the country, which is a high indicator for the continent.

But all these precautions are worth plunging into the local flavor. In South Africa, you should definitely take a walk around Cape Town, marveling at the mixture of European colonial style, ethnic motifs and modernity. Visit the edge of the earth - the Cape of Good Hope. Walk through nature reserves in KwaZulu-Natal. Admire the Garden Road. And of course, to see the mysterious expanses of Limpopo that have been coveted since childhood.

The fauna of the Republic of South Africa has something to surprise. It is rich and diverse, like the country itself. Although, before the Europeans came to these lands, this world was even more beautiful. But the most valuable skins and tusks of exotic animals played a cruel joke on them. Legal hunting and poaching have brought many species to the brink of extinction in South Africa.

This happened to the white rhinoceros, who lived quietly in the interior regions of the country. Now there are only a few left in a natural park in Kwazu-Natal. The elephant population has also declined significantly. These giants previously inhabited the entire territory, and now they live exclusively in the Knysna forest, Addo and Kruger national parks. A similar fate befell antelopes and zebras. And if the former are still found near the border of Botswana, then the latter have almost completely disappeared.

Zebra, Addo Elephant National Park, Elephant National Park South Africa Republic of South Africa. Author of the photo - Mario Nonaka.

But, there are leopards. There are significantly fewer of them than before, but the population of these cats has been restored. Live in South Africa cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs. The forests are inhabited by all kinds of monkeys and parrots. And penguins live on the west coast.

Early in the morning, from any hotel, tourists go on a safari to observe and photograph wild animals in their natural habitats. Here you can go not only for a photo, but also for a real hunt. It is developed in public and private hunting grounds and on various farms. As a rule, hunting lasts 3-4 days, and if the target is a large animal - a week.

Beach lovers come to South Africa from all over the world. The coastline with perfect sand stretches for 2000 kilometers. Crazy turquoise lagoons with a rich underwater world, like a magnet, attract not only beach lovers, but also divers. Ocean waves on the south coast are considered the longest in the world. Surfers come from all over the world to conquer them. No wonder that this is where the World Windsurfing Championship takes place and the venue has remained unchanged for many years.

The province of Mpumalanga boasts a 26 km long canyon. According to this indicator, it is the third in the world, and three rivers flow inside it. The Sterkfontein Caves are located near Johannesburg. It was here that the skull of a primitive woman who lived in these territories more than 2 million years ago was discovered.

Ostrich farms, wine routes, unsurpassed nature and a mixture of such different civilizations in large cities. The Republic of South Africa, despite its modernity and openness, has not yet been fully unraveled.

Hornbill, Kruger National Park, South Africa. Author of the photo - David Dodge.

Video. Golden Globe. SOUTH AFRICA. Gold of the Black Continent. From the Kalahari to the Dragon Mountains.

South Africa on the world map. Map.

SOUTH AFRICA. Sunrise 19-03-2020 at 06:03 GMT sunset at 16:41 GMT Western Cape. Cave drawings

South Africa is known as one of the most cultural countries in Africa, however, this area of local life is divided into colorful halves. Even the very first South Africans had artistic talents - rock paintings on the walls of the caves testify to this. In literature, theater and cinema, the white minority has made great strides. The world famous writers Nadine Gordimer (Nobel Laureate 1991), Alan Payton and John Coetzee (Nobel Prize 2003 and two more Booker Prizes), playwright Ethol Fugard, filmmakers Jamie Uys, Neil Blomkamp and Gavin Huth, not to mention film star Charlize Theron. The leading figure of adventure fiction, Wilbur Smith, is no less closely associated with South Africa, although he does not belong to its natives. Black citizens are strong in music: they have had their say in genres ranging from spirituals to hip-hop, and have won prestigious awards many times.

The names of the microsurgeon Christian Barnard, the author of the first human heart transplant, and a whole galaxy of paleoanthropologists are inscribed in the history of science.

For more than 100 years, natives of South Africa have successfully competed in world-class sports competitions. They have so far achieved the greatest success in athletics, swimming and rugby. The country holds Formula 1 races, and in 2010 it hosted the world football championship.

Kitchen

Each of the local peoples took part in serving the national table. Aboriginal people offer exotics like fried grasshoppers or penguin legs, as well as nutritious corn and millet dishes. English cuisine is represented by steaks, which in South Africa are prepared not only from beef: ostrich and crocodile meat are ordinary meat here. Fugitive Huguenots in the 17th century. brought the traditions of French cuisine to South Africa, and the country's port cities smell of Asian spices. Once the Dutch brought slaves here from Indonesia, then Indian and Chinese coolies appeared on the Cape. Asians could not live without rice, curry and noodles of various sizes - now all this can be found in restaurants in Cape Town and Durban. Boer cuisine keeps the memory of the Great Trek alive. Constant movement in hot climates required supplies that were not afraid of long storage. This is how biltong was invented (Biltong)- dried meat flavored with spices. Now it is considered the same symbol of South Africa as Table Mountain or Kruger Park. Settled on a farm, the Boer appreciated fresh food, but preferred to cook outdoors. This is why South Africa is so famous for barbecue (Braaivleis, or Braai). In addition to tenderloin, burwars is fried on coals (Boerwors), something like our "hunting sausages". The third of the whales on which Boer cuisine rests is called potiecos. (Potjekos)- this thick brew of meat, potatoes and vegetables is cooked in a pot directly on hot coals or on a three-legged stand over the fire.

Society

Twenty years have passed since the fall of apartheid, but the country is still divided along racial lines, and many whites generally preferred to move abroad. Although N. Mandela - an icon of resistance and a prisoner with 25 years of experience - was a supporter of the reconciliation of the nation, his presidency in South Africa became an analogue of our "dashing 90s". The degree of social tension increases the presence in the country of poor migrants from neighboring states, who took advantage of the weakening of the border regime under the same Mandela. "Natural apartheid" is most visible in the cities. Moreover, if Cape Town, as a port city, has been cosmopolitan from time immemorial, then Johannesburg is clearly divided into a “white” north and a “black” south. The danger of acquaintance with crime in South Africa is greatly exaggerated, but, alas, it exists. Don't walk around alone at night. If you are modestly dressed, not hung with gold and not brandishing an iPad, then the chances of surviving increase dramatically.

South Africa is a multinational country: there are only 11 official languages here! South Africans and their guests are helped by the fact that all the inhabitants of the country (except for the very primitive ones) speak English.

South African National Park Service

The first nature reserve was created in the Boer Republic of South Africa in 1898. The decree was signed by President Paul Kruger, whose name is now the oldest and largest national park in South Africa. The legal status of protected areas was finalized in 1926, and at the same time an agency responsible for the protection and use of national parks appeared in the country. Now operated by the South African National Park Service (South African National Parks, SANParks, +27-012-4265000; www.sanparks.org) there are 20 parks with a total area of more than 3 million hectares - from the southernmost African Cape Agulhas to Mapungubwe on the border with Zimbabwe. The continent's oldest conservation organization is headquartered in Pretoria, with branches throughout the country. In some provinces of South Africa, reserves take care of their own services. For example, the Shlushluwe-Umfolozi and Isimangalizo parks are the domain of the KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife Service. (KwaZulu Natal Nature Conservation Service,+ 27-033-845-1000/1002; www.kznwildlife.com), and in the Western Cape, Cape Nature manages.

North South Africa

The best natural corners of the northeast of South Africa are located within the provinces of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. Transport in this part of the country is well established and focused on travelers from Johannesburg or Pretoria. Nelspruit is well suited as a base for the Kruger Park, while Schlusluwe-Umfolozi and Isimangaliso are more convenient to get from Durban. Northern section of the Drakensberg Ridge (Dragon Mountains) equally well accessible both from Joburg and from Durban, while the center of the massif is closer to Durban.

To denote the South African monetary unit - the rand - the abbreviation "r." is used. - do not confuse with rubles.

Long and narrow (360 to 65 km) Kruger Park occupies the northeastern corner of South Africa on the border with Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The large city of Nelspruit is located 50 km from the southwestern corner of the park. (Nelspruit), connected to Joburg by Highway 4. This freeway runs along the entire southern border of the park and ends at the Ressano Garcia border crossing (Ressano Garcia). Nelspruit was renamed Mbombela in 2009 (Mbombela), but this name does not take root well. At Joburg Park Station (from King George St.) you can easily find a bus directly to Nelspruit. Flights operate as major carriers (Intercape - 2 flights a day from 240 rubles; Greyhound - 3 flights a day, all morning, 260 rubles; Citiliner - from 185 rubles), and local companies - for example, CityBug (www.citybug.co.za; departure from Melville, 4:00 p.m., 360 rubles). The journey takes about 6 hours, so morning flights are preferred. Kruger can also be reached by train: Shosholoza Meyl departs from Joburg three times a week (Mon.Wed, Fri; 18.10, only seats), goes through Pretoria and arrives in Nelspruit at 4 am the next day (70 rubles). End point - the town of Komatiport (Comatipoort, 150 rubles, arrives 6.38) on the southern border of the Kruger. It is very close to Crocodile Bridge park gate. (Crocodile Bridge Gate) and two campsites. North of Nelspruit is the Kruger-Mpumalanga Airport. (Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, MQP), where flights from Joburg and other major cities in South Africa fly. South African Airways flies 4 times a day, tickets from 1279 rubles.

There are many hotels and travel agencies in Nelspruit offering daily trips to the Kruger. It will be even more convenient to spend the night in Hazyview (Hazyview) 50 km to the north: in this town there are no less opportunities to organize a safari, but to the two nearest park gates Pabeni and Numbi (Phabeni Gate, Numbi Gate) only 12-15 km. Kruger main gate (Kruger Gate) located 47 km east of Hazyview. In addition, it will serve as your base for a trip to the border of the High Veld. (Drakensberg Escarpment). Minibuses to Hazyview depart from the bus station, which in Nelspruit is located between the railway station and the Nelspruit Plaza shopping center (corner of Henshall St. and Andrew St.; 1 hour drive, approx. 20 p.).

Kruger-Mpumalanga Airport to Durban fly daily South African Airways (1-2 flights a day, 1 hour 15 minutes on the way, from 1895 rubles). There are no direct big bus services between Nelspruit and Durban, but CityBug has a shuttle twice a week (www.citybug.co.za; Sonpark BP, Thu and Sun, departure 7.00, arrival 16.00, 560 rubles). There are many buses from Joburg to Durban every day. (approx. 5 hours on the way, 400 rubles), and Shosholoza Meyl has three weekly trains on this route (Mon, Tue and Thu, 18.00, 20 hours on the way, from 130 rubles). From 6.00 to midnight from the airport. O. Tambo to Durban planes fly different airlines (about 30 flights in total, 1 hour 10 minutes on the way, from 630 rubles). Huge Durban is located about 200 km from the Dragon Mountains (west of it) and 270 km from Isimangalizo/Shlushluwe-Umfolozi (to the northeast). To visit these places, it is better to use intermediate bases - in the first case it will be Winterton (Winterton, 195 km), in the second - Mtubatuba (Mtubatuba, 250 km). Shlusluwe-Umfolozi can also be reached from Ulundi (Ulundi, 240 km from Durban) where is the airport (Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport, ULD, operated by Federal Air from Pietermaritzburg, +27-011-3959000; www.fedair.com, Mon-Fri, 2 flights, 1200 RUB). Ulundi is located 36 km west of the nearest gate of the Umfolozi nature reserve. (Cengeni Gate). At Baz Bus (www.bazbus.com) there is a route Pretoria / Joburg - Durban - Joburg / Pretoria with stops in Pietermaritzburg (Pietermaritzburg, southern part of the Drakensberg Mountains), Winterton (center of Drakensberg) and Bergville (north of the array). Buses "Baza" start at 7.30 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, collecting passengers from budget hotels in Pretoria and Johannesburg. At 9:15 a.m., the car leaves for the southeast and reaches the Drakensberg Mountains by noon. The trip ends in Durban around 19.00 and costs 290 rubles. Return buses depart on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. (also at 7.30). You can leave at any point of the route - the price does not change from this.

East South Africa

The eastern outskirts of South Africa from Elephant Coast in the north to Sunny Beach in the south is a chain of wide white beaches, interrupted by rivers and forests approaching the ocean. Highways stretch along the sea, to which the centers of civilization are tied - Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth (this does not include small settlements). Durban is as good a starting point as Cape Town is a finishing point. Just remember that there are many people who want to relax on the coast, and the peak of the season falls on the second half of December and the first half of January. It is warmest from October to April, while our summer on the coast of South Africa reigns southern winter: the water temperature on the South Coast drops below + 19 ° C, south of East London it becomes even colder. Rain, alas, is possible at any time of the year.

Cape Town and surroundings

Here the inhabited land ends, but such an “end of the world” cannot be called sad: the blue sea, the bright sun, and under it a beautiful city in the ring of harsh, but no less beautiful mountains.

In South Africa, Cape Town is respectfully called "Mother" (mother city). The oldest city in the country was founded in 1652 by Jan van Riebeeck, the first governor of the Dutch colony at the Cape of Good Hope. At first, the town was called Kapstadt, and little by little it grew into suburbs. Every Cape Dutch wanted to have land, but it was hard to work on it yourself. Therefore, for the first 150 years of its history, Kapstadt grew at the expense of Asian and African slaves, whose blood mixed with the blood of the masters and European sailors who anchored off in Table Bay. When Kapstadt became Cape Town (this happened in 1806), the British abolished slavery, after which the merger of races went even faster. By the end of the XIX century. a special type of inhabitant of the Cape Colony was formed - a southern, hot and swarthy person. The British, who came to their senses, began to settle the townspeople according to the color of their skin, justifying these measures with sanitary necessity - in fact, this is how apartheid was invented. Even now, the city is considered the capital of the country's white minority, but Cape Towns do not seem to bother with this. The South African parliament sits in Cape Town, culture is flourishing, and the main event of recent years was the games of the World Cup in 2010.

The change of seasons in the Cape is the same as elsewhere in South Africa - from May to August it is cool, from September to April it is warm, and in our winter months it is simply hot. The difference between the coast is that the ocean does not allow the air to cool and heat up too much. Spring is very pleasant - the threshold of the local winter (not more than +23 °С and not lower than -15 °С).

Cape Town is considered more prosperous and safer than all other cities in South Africa, however, it is not recommended to open your mouth on the streets here - especially in the evenings.

The tourist information center is located a couple of blocks from the railway station (Cape Town Tourist Information Centre, Pinnacle Building, corner of Burg St. and Castle St., 0 +27-021-4876800; 8am-6pm, Sat to 2pm, closes 1 hour early Apr-Sep).

Visa

To visit South Africa, Russians need a visa, which, alas, cannot be opened when crossing the border. Embassy of South Africa is located in Moscow (Granatny per., 1, building 9, 495-9261177; www.saembassy.ru, Mon-Fri 9.00-12.00) and for issuing a single entry tourist visa requires the following:

Application form completed in English with a black ballpoint pen.
Two color passport size photographs (3.4 x 4.5 cm) on matte paper.
A passport that expires at least 30 days after the end of your planned visit. At least 2 pages of the passport must be free from marks.
Copies of completed pages of the civil passport.
An invitation from a South African travel agency with a detailed description of the route or proof of payment for the hotel for the entire duration of the trip.
A certificate from work indicating the position, salary and confirmation of leave for the duration of the trip.
Confirmation of solvency: bank statement detailing account transactions (map) for the last 3 months.
Paid air ticket (There and back again).
Payment of the consular fee in the amount of 1800 rubles.

If you plan to enter South Africa from other African countries, you will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

The term for issuing a South African visa is 5 working days, it is issued for the duration of the trip.

No special vaccinations are required, but you must be vaccinated against yellow fever if you enter South Africa after visiting one of the outbreaks of this disease. These include Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. South Africa's closest neighbors are Angola and Zambia. Even if you just went to see Victoria Falls from the Zambian coast, but got a mark in your passport, South Africans will require a certificate.

Transport

South Africa is the only African country where transport reaches the level of the best world standards. Main local airports:

International Airport Oliver Tambo (OR Tambo International Airport, JNB, inquiries +27-011-9216262, +27-086-7277888, www.acsa.co.za) in Johannesburg.
Cape Town International Airport, CPT, inquiries +27-086-7277888; www.airports.co.za) in the far south of the country.
King Shaka International Airport, DUR, inquiries +27-032-4366585, +27-0867277888; www.kingshakainternational.co.za). Also known as La Mercy Airport. Opened in 2010, located 35 km north of Durban, and named after the Zulu king Shaki (Chucky). Serves domestic lines, as well as flights to Mozambique, Zambia and on about. Mauritius. Emirates fly to Durban from major international airlines (from Dubai).
There are a lot of local airports, airfields and landing sites in the country. Of the local flyers, South African Airways is the most famous. (+27-011-9785313 from 06:00 to 22:00 South African time; www.flysaa.com). It is a national airline with a solid fleet and worldwide coverage. Getting from Cape Town to Joburg costs from 1667 rubles. with all fees. This is the highest price, so it makes sense to turn to low-cost airlines;
Kulula.com (+27-0861585-852; www.kulula.com). First airline of its kind in South Africa established in 2001 Connects Johannesburg (OR Tambo and Lanseria), Cape Town, Durban, George (George) and Port Elizabeth. A flight from Joburg to Cape Town costs from 722 rubles.
Mango (+27-01 1-0866100; www.flymango.com). "Daughter" of SA Airways, flies between Joburg (OR Tambo and Lanseria), Bloemfontein, Cape Town and Durban. A flight from Joburg to Cape Town costs from 997 rubles.

The first rails in the history of Africa were laid in 1860 in the Cape Colony. South Africa's main railway links Cape Town and Johannesburg, minor lines run from Joburg to Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London, Komatiport (Comatipoort) and Musina (Musina). The choice of trains is small, but sufficient, for example:

Shosholoza Meyl and Premier Classe (as well as Metroraif trains) owned by the state-owned Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA). Trains Shosholoza Meyl (+27-011-7744555, +27-0860008888, www.shosholozameyl.co.za) comfortable, safe and popular. Tariffs change throughout the year: cheaper in summer, more expensive in winter. The amount and schedule must be specified at the time of purchase. Train classes vary - Tourist ("tourist") allows you to sleep in a compartment, a Economy ("economic") equipped with seating only. Children are transported for half the price of an adult ticket (in tourism, a discount is given for children under 10 years old, in economic - under 5 years old). Smoking is prohibited on trains, luggage is limited to 50 kg. Premier class trains (Joburg +27-011-773878, Cape Town +27-021-4492252; www.premierclasse.co.za) more comfortable and expensive.

A separate South African theme is luxury "hotels on wheels":

blue train (in Pretoria +27-012-3348459, +27-012-3348460; in Cape Town +27-021-4492672; www.bluetrain.co.za)- runs regularly between Cape Town and Pretoria. Departure four times a month (Mon and Wed, at 8.50 from Cape Town and 12.30 from Pretoria), 27 hours on the way, including a stopover and excursions to Kimberley. Double compartments of 2 categories with bathrooms, two lounges for smokers and non-smokers. In the low season (Jan.-Aug., mid-Nov.-Dec.) travel from 12280 p. Blue Train operates special tours to Durban and Nelspruit (from Pretoria) and also in Port Elizabeth (from Cape).

Rovos Rail (+27-012-315-8242; www.rovos.com). Carries tourists from Pretoria to Cape Town via the Kimberley and the museum town of Mathisfontein in the Western Cape (48 hours including excursions). Another tour lasts 6 days, including all of South Africa and Zimbabwe with Victoria Falls. A trip from the Cape to Pretoria costs from 12,950 rubles. (1 passenger in a compartment+50%).

Shongololo Express (+27-011-4864357, +27-0861777014, www.shongololo.com). Very expensive tours on 5 routes from 9360 rubles. (with two meals a day, dinner separately). The longest trip lasts 16 days and includes visits to South Africa Swaziland, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana (from 45 293 rubles).

South Africa has a network of suburban rail lines served by cheap Metrorail trains. (www.metrorail.co.za). Cape Town and Johannesburg are entangled in the rail web, and to a lesser extent Durban, Port Elizabeth and East London. Metrorail is also divided into classes: there are “enhanced comfort” trains (Metro Plus) and business express (morning and evening). Conditions on trains vary from city to city - in Cape Town and other southern cities they are relatively safe, but in Durban and especially in Joburg they are notorious. The authorities are working on this problem, but for now, you can use the new Gautrain in Joburg.

The most tiring way to travel in South Africa is by bus, but the quality of the roads makes it easier for the passenger. The leaders are:

The listed companies operate regular flights between the cities of South Africa. Unlike them, Baz Bus (+27-021-4392323, wwww.bazbus.com) specializes in servicing budget travelers. Ticket "in-out" (Hop on Hop off) gives the right to go in one direction or another with any number of stops. At the same time, they drop you off and pick you up at the door of a temporary home - among Baz's partners there are 180 cheap hotels in 40 cities of South Africa. "Came in and out" from Cape Town to Pretoria costs 2900 rubles. (one way, with a return of 4400 rubles). In addition, you can buy a ticket (Travel pass) for 7, 14 and 21 days - costs 1200, 2100 and 2600 rubles, respectively.

Currency

The national currency of South Africa is called the rand. (Rand, ZAR)- just not "rand", since the word is not English. The name comes from the Witwatersrand mountains: from gold mined in their bowels in the 19th century. the first coins of the Boer republics were minted. The modern rand was put into circulation in 1961, and you will surely get coins issued since 2005 - they depict the beasts of the Big Five (10 rubles - rhinoceros, 20 rubles - elephant, 50 rubles - lion, 100 rubles - buffalo, 200 rubles - leopard).

There are also coins in circulation in 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, as well as 1, 2 and 5 rand. Due to inflation, the 1 and 2 cent coins have already disappeared, and the 5-cent coin is next in line. There are 5-random cards with the image of Nelson Mandela, released for the 10th anniversary of the first free elections. In South Africa, this is the first case of the appearance of a statesman on money since 1994. In 2012, the face of Mandela appeared on “paper” (the animals remained on the reverse of banknotes).

South Africa is one of the few countries in the world that continues to mint gold coins. They are called Krugerrands. (Krugerrand) and are available in 4 denominations of different weights. Most common - 1 troy ounce (33.93 g), there are also 1/2, 1/4 and 1/10 oz. On the front side of the coins, the Boer President P. Kruger is depicted, after whom they are named. Krugerrands are more of an expensive souvenir and a way to invest money than the money itself. You can buy coins in special SCOINShop stores (South African Gold Coin Exchange; +27-0861724653; www.sagoldcoin.co.za), the cost is set in US dollars and depends on world prices for the "yellow metal".

Ordinary rand is officially accepted in Swaziland and Lesotho (they form a single currency area with South Africa), and behind the scenes - in Namibia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Connection

Mobile communications are excellent. The main providers of cellular services in South Africa are Vodacom (www.vodacom.co.za), MTN (www.mtn.co.za) and Cell C (www.cell.co.za) using the GSM-900/1800 standard. Tariffs for international calls are about the same for everyone, they do not charge money for incoming calls. If you call infrequently, then 100 r. the account may well be enough for 10 days. International SMS messages cost from 1.60-1.74 rubles. SIM card sales points can be found everywhere, starting from the airport (according to a prepaid system from 10 rubles, you can immediately deposit money into your account and register a number). If you do not have a phone, you can rent it from the operator (or buy a contract that includes a cheap "pipe"), A foreign phone in South Africa is subject to registration - for this you need to know its IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity, dial * # 06 # and the desired number will appear on the screen).

You can also call abroad from South Africa from a regular street payphone (green - with a card bought in a supermarket, blue with the inscription "Coin" - with coins). To go abroad, dial 00 and the country code.

There are many Internet cafes in the country (from 25-30 rubles / 1 hour, you can find a point on the website www.internetcafedirectory.co.za), where you can copy a photo from a USB flash drive to a blank and print the necessary web page. In addition to hotels, free Wi-Fi hotspots are found in restaurants and shopping malls, so you can Skype with your own phone.

Help

The Embassy of the Russian Federation in South Africa is located in Pretoria, 50 km from Joburg Pretoria 0102, Brooks St., 316, MenloPark; +27-012-3621337; www.russianembassy.org.za closed on Russian holidays). Reception is conducted on weekdays from 8.30 to 11.30, if necessary, you can call the consul on duty: +27-0761514598.

Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Cape Town (Norton Rose House, 8 Riebeek St., 12th floor, +27-021-4183656/57, consul on duty +27-082-3740518; www.russiacapetown.org.za). Represents the interests of the Russian Federation and its citizens in the three Cape provinces of South Africa - Western, Eastern and Northern. Located in the city center, reception from 9.00 to 12.00, except weekends and holidays.

Emergency phone numbers: police - 1011, mobile 0 112, medical assistance - 10177, +27-0831999 (air), +27-080-0111990. In cities: Johannesburg (center)+27-011-3755911, Pretoria (24h)+27-012-3582111, 012-4277111; Durban +27-031-3372200 (marine lifeguards); Cape Town - +27-021-4182852 (police), +27-021-4493500 (marine lifeguards), +27-021-9489900 (mountain rescuers).

There are about 600 reserves in South Africa, but the country is rather big and there is also enough space for hunters. The extraction of a large animal has never been prohibited here, moreover, it has been lovingly cultivated. Hunting concessions (Game farms) border on reserves, but their territory is not encroached. If you have a license, you can hunt any wild animals, but there are some restrictions. Thus, rhinos, large predators and some other species are not available if we are talking about healthy animals that are in their natural habitat and do not belong to specially bred hunting farms. Even if a predator poses a threat, it must be shot by authorized persons. It is allowed to walk on a large animal only with a non-automatic rifled weapon with a caliber of at least 22, and a smooth-bore weapon is allowed only when hunting birds. Pistols, automatic and pneumatic weapons are prohibited. A car during a hunt can only be used to deliver shooters to the border of the concession, to track animals, and also in cases where the hunter is sick or over 65 years old. Aircraft, searchlights, dogs, decoys, pens, traps, poisons and tranquilizers are prohibited. You can shoot from a crossbow in South Africa, but not at animals prohibited for prey. A foreigner who wants to hunt in South Africa must have a license - the organizing company is engaged in its registration in advance (Hunting outfitter). You will be able to get only those animals and only in the quantity indicated in the license. The weapon is allowed to be used again according to the license. The document must be with you at all times of the hunt. Only citizens of South Africa can organize a safari for guests of the country, and during fishing they must be accompanied by a local professional hunter.

Many companies are engaged in hunting in South Africa, which are well represented on the Web. The price of the issue is on average about $ 600 per day, not counting the cost of exporting trophies (Trophy fee, from $ 200 per head - this is how much, for example, a baboon or a jackal costs). Clients are divided into hunters and observers (Observer) who don't shoot. The last participation in the hunt is half the price.