FACTS

Location: Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa

Area (only Total) total: 1,219,912 sq km

Climate: mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nights

Terrain: vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain

Population: 43,786,115

Main Language (only first): IsiZulu

Government type: republic

Capital (Name): Pretoria

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+2

Independence: 31 May 1910 (Union of South Africa formed from four British colonies: Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange Free State); 31 May 1961 (republic declared) 27 April 1994 (majority rule)

National holiday: Freedom Day, 27 April (1994)