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).
South Africa is divided in
9 provinces and has over 2,700 kilometres of
shoreline meeting the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans. 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.
South Africa, often referred to as
the "Rainbow Nation", is a vast country offering such diversity. It is the
perfect holiday, vacation, destination any time of the year and is ideal for
families.
Some of the exciting inclusions in your South African holiday
could be driving through the wine valleys of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek,
climbing Table Mountain, shopping in Cape Town, touring the Garden Route,
safari in the world re-known Kruger National Park or Scuba Dive at South
Africa's best dive sites. Whilst in South Africa you can add on a side trip to
Botswana,
Namibia and/or Victoria Falls
| RECOMMENDED TRAVEL BOOK |
 |
The Rough Guide
to South Africa
Buy in USA
Buy in 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. 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.
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| RECOMMENDED TRAVEL MAP |
 |
Globetrotter
Travel Map of South Africa
Buy in USA
Buy in UK
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. |
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