South Africa in Brief

Area

1,219,090 sq km

Population

44.8 m

Currency

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 most commonly 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

Total GDP 2003

R 1,209.5 bn (at current price)

GDP per Capita

R 26,998

Real GDP Growth

1.9%

Inflation (CPIX)

6.8% (annual average)

Exports

Gold, minerals, diamonds, metals and metal products, foods, automotive components

Imports

Machinery; transport equipment; manufactured goods, chemicals, oil

Main Trading Partners

Germany, USA, UK, China, Japan, France

Public Holidays

Fixed: 1 January, 21 March, 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