South Africa in Brief

Area

1,219,090 sq km

Population

49.99 m

Currency

Rands and Cents: R1 = 100 cents

Time

GMT + 2 hrs

Official Name

Republic of South Africa

Capitals

Cape Town (Legislative)
Pretoria (Administrative)
Bloemfontein (Judicial)

Head of State

President Jacob G Zuma

Main Languages

11 Official languages
English widely spoken

Religion

Predominantly Christian, freedom of worship guaranteed by the Constitution

Form of State

Broadly federal, comprising a central government and nine provincial governments

Legal System

Based on Roman Dutch and English Law and the 1996 Constitution.

National Legislature

Bicameral parliament, elected every five years, comprising a 400-seat National Assembly and a 90-seat Council of Provinces

Electoral System

List-system with proportional representation based on universal adult suffrage

GDP 2009

US $ 277,4 billion (nominal)
US $ 488,6 billion (PPP)

GDP per Capita 2009

US $ 5 684 (nominal) 
US $ 10 136 (PPP)

Real GDP Growth

1.43% (between First Quarter 2009 and First Quarter 2010)

Official Inflation Rate

3.7% (Percentage Change in Consumer Price Index in July 2010 compared to July 2009)

Exports

Gold, platinum, minerals, diamonds, metals, machinery and equipment, automotive components and foods

Imports

Machinery; transport equipment; manufactured goods, chemicals, petroleum products

Main Trading Partners

China, USA, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, India (Russia 40th) 

South African Public Holidays

Fixed: 1 January, 21 March, 5 April, 27 April, 1 May, 16 June, 9 August, 24 September, 16, 25 and 26 December
Variable: Good Friday and Easter Monday

International dialing code

+27