South Africa

Introduction

South Africa lies at the southernmost part of the African continent. It is bordered to the north by Botswana and Zimbabwe, to the northeast by Mozambique and Swaziland and to the northwest by Namibia. On the east coastline lies the Indian Ocean, the Southern coastline the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, and Atlantic Ocean on the western side. South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho.

Most of South Africa has elevations of over 914m (3,000 ft) and at least 40% of the surface is at an elevation of over 1,220m (4,000 ft). Parts of Johannesburg are 1,829m (6,000 ft) above sea level. Resembling an inverted saucer, the land rises steadily from west to east to the Drakensberg Mountains, the tallest of which is Mont-aux-Sources at 3,300m (10,823 ft).

The coastal belt in the west and south varies from 3 to 30 miles in width, is between 152m (500ft) to 182m (600ft) above sea level, and is very fertile, producing citrus fruits and grapes, particularly in the Western Cape. North of the coastal belt stretch, the Little and the Great Karoo, which are bounded by mountains, lie higher than the coastal belt, and are semi-arid to arid, merging into sandy wastes that ultimately join the Kalahari Desert.

The high grass prairie, or veld, of the Orange Free State and the Transvaal is famous for its mineral deposits,. From Drakensberg, the land falls towards the Indian Ocean in the rolling hills and valleys of Natal, which are covered with rich vegetation and, near the coast, subtropical plants, including sugarcane.

The Africa Guide's recommended book
		The Rough Guide to South Africa - 5 (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe The full-colour section introduces the country's highlights, from the game trails of Kruger National Park to the picturesque Garden Route towns of the Western Cape and seclusion of the Eastern Cape. With informed accounts and unparalleled coverage, clue-up on all the top sights and experiences from the colourful residential streets of Cape Towns Bo-Kapp district to the fine and affordable vintages of the wine routes. The guide takes a detailed look at South African history, literature, culture and wildlife with expert background on everything from Cape dutch architecture to Zulu traditions.

The Africa Guide's recommended Map
		Globetrotter Travel Map of South Africa   (Maps Worldwide) Published by New Holland Publishers (U Series Globetrotter Travel Maps A revised map of South Africa which caters specifically for the needs of tourists and visitors. Special features include: nature reserves, parks and places of interest; highlighted scenic routes; town maps of major tourist centres, including hotels; and legends in English, French and German.