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An Introduction to South Africa
After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British encroachments, but were defeated in the Boer War (1899-1902). The resulting Union of South Africa operated under a policy of apartheid - the separate development of the races. The 1990s brought an end to apartheid politically and ushered in black majority rule.
Map of South Africa ( Location ) : 29 00 S, 24 00 E, Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa.
For additional reports and educational information specific to South Africa, refer to the Country Info menubar to the upper right.
The South African Flag
Two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes.
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Rankings of The Most Populous Countries in the World.
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Some interesting facts and figures about South Africa.
Pop Growth Rate / Year:
• -0.25%
Avg. Life Expectancy:
• 44.39 yrs - Male
• 43.98 yrs - Female
Phone Lines:
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4.844 million (2002)
Televisions:
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5.2 million (1997)
Radios:
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13,750,000 (1997)
Internet Code:
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.za
Did you know ... People from South Africa are called South Africans
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