The official name of South Africa is the Republic of South Africa.

South Africa is located at the southern end of Africa.

In 2011 the population of South Africa was around 52 million.

South Africa has three capital cities, Cape Town, Bloemfontein and Pretoria.

The largest city in South Africa is Johannesburg. Other major cities include Soweto and Durban.

South Africa has 11 official languages, including Zulu, Afrikaans, Xhosa and English.

South Africa has the largest economy of any African country.

South Africa has had an unsettled history, with apartheid policies made by the National Party enforcing a system of segregation from 1948 until 1994. Nelson Mandela was elected president in 1994 after South Africa’s first universal elections.

South Africa's coastline stretches over 2500 kilometres (1553 miles) in length.

South Africa is home to a wide variety of animals including giraffes, hippopotamus, leopards and lions.

Conservation is an important issue in South Africa. It has lost many natural habitats due to deforestation and overpopulation.

South Africa is a member of the United Nations.

South Africa has high unemployment.

The first human heart transplant was performed in a Cape Town hospital in 1967.

Cave paintings have been found in South Africa that date to around 75000 years ago.

Drivers use the left-hand side of the road in South Africa.

The most popular sports in South Africa are football (soccer), rugby and cricket.

In 2010 South Africa hosted the FIFA World Cup.

For more information, check out maps of South Africa or take a closer look at the South African flag.