21 Facts You Didn’t Know About South Africa

by Charne Adams

 

  1. South Africa is called the 'Rainbow Nation' because of its diversity in cultures, languages, and religions. Archbishop Desmond Tutu first popularized the term after apartheid ended. 

 

  1. South Africa has three capital cities: Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial), and Cape Town (legislative). This unique arrangement reflects the country's political and cultural diversity. 

 

  1. The world's largest diamond, the Cullinan Diamond, was discovered in South Africa in 1905. It weighed about 1.33 pounds (603 grams) and was cut into several stones, many of which are part of the British Crown Jewels. 

 

  1. South Africa is home to the oldest meteor scar in the world, the Vredefort Dome. It is believed to have formed about two billion years ago when a meteorite hit Earth. 

 

  1. The country is one of the only few in the world to have hosted the Soccer, Cricket, and Rugby World Cup tournaments. 

 

  1. South Africa has 11 official languages, making it one of the countries with the most official languages in the world. These include English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa, isiNdebele, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, and Sepedi. 

 

  1. Table Mountain, one of the world's oldest mountains, overlooks Cape Town and is home to over 1,500 plant species, more than the entire United Kingdom. 

 

  1. The San people of South Africa have one of the oldest genetic lineages in the world, tracing back over 80,000 years. 

 

  1. South Africa is the only country in the world to voluntarily abandon its nuclear weapons program. The dismantling was completed in 1991. 

 

  1. The world's first heart transplant was performed in Cape Town, South Africa, by Dr. Christiaan Barnard on December 3, 1967. 

 

  1. South Africa's Constitution is considered one of the most progressive in the world, with strong protections for human rights and freedoms. 

 

  1. The Cape Floral Kingdom, found in South Africa, is one of the world's six floral kingdoms and is the smallest and richest per area unit. 

 

  1. The Bloukrans Bridge is the site of the world's highest commercial bridge bungee jump at 216 meters (709 feet). 

 

  1. South Africa has the oldest wine industry outside of Europe and the Mediterranean, with the first recorded wine made in Cape Town in 1659. 

 

  1. The country is the world's largest producer of platinum, gold, and chromium. 

 

  1. South Africa is the only country in the world where right-hand drive cars are produced by Mercedes Benz. 

 

  1. The Karoo region in South Africa is one of the few places on earth where fossils of pre-dinosauric life (dating back 250 million years) have been found. 

 

  1. South Africa has the third-highest level of biodiversity in the world. 

 

  1. Lesotho, an independent country, is entirely surrounded by South African territory, making it one of the only three such countries in the world. 

 

  1. The Palace of the Lost City, part of the Sun City Resort, is one of the largest themed resorts in the world, located in the North West Province of South Africa. 

 

  1. South Africa's Rovos Rail is considered one of the most luxurious trains in the world, offering panoramic views of the countryside along its various routes.
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