zWASL=1;zGRH=1 zJs=10 zJs=11 zJs=12 zJs=13 zc(5,'jsc',zJs,9999999,'') zDO=0 Home Education Geography Geography Search What Is Geography? Maps Share w(x2+zWl+'?p=1" zT="18/1[N" rel="nofollow">Print') Free Geography Newsletter! Sign Up Discuss in my Forum Learn about South Africa- The African Continent's Southernmost Nation By Amanda Briney , About.com Contributing Writer See More About: africa south africa geography south africa maps The South Africa flag has horizontal bands of red and blue separated by a central green Y (horizontal) band; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle; the green Y is edged in yellow on hoist side and in white on fly side. Source: CIA World Factbook, 2007 zSB(3,3) Apr 26 2010 Population: 49,052,489 (July 2009 est.) Capital: Pretoria (administrative capital), Bloemfontein (judiciary), and Cape Town (legislative) Area: 470,693 square miles (1,219,090 sq km) Coastline: 1,738 miles (2,798 km) Highest Point: Njesuthi at 11,181 feet (3,408 m) South Africa is the southernmost country on the African continent. It has a long history of conflict and human rights issues but it has always been one of the most economically prosperous nations in southern Africa due to its coastal location and the presence of gold, diamonds and natural resources. History of South Africa By the 14th century C.E, the region was settled by the Bantu people who migrated from central Africa. South Africa was first inhabited by Europeans in 1488 when the Portuguese arrived at the Cape of Good Hope. However, permanent settlement did occur until 1652 when the Dutch East India Company established a small station for provisions on the Cape. In following years, French, Dutch and German settlers began to arrive in the region. | |
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