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Republic of South Africa

	Capital City: Pretoria Population: 44819778 (2001) Size: 471442 square miles (1221034.78 square kilometers) Factsheet - References - Current Online News

South Africa Factsheet

Official (or unofficial) Website:
http://www.gov.za/

Currency:
Rand

Bordering Countries:
Atlantic Ocean, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, and the Indian Ocean

Major Cities:
Pretoria , Bloemfontein, Johannesburg

Language(s):
Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu

Ethnic Groups:
75% black (African) and 13% white (European)

Natural Resources:
Corn, wheat, sorghum, potatoes, peanuts, citrus fruits, cotton, tobacco, sugarcane, dairy and beef cattle, sheep, goats (including many Angora goats), hogs, large fishing fish meal, beverages (including wine), textiles, clothing, forest products, chemicals, iron, steel, metal products, machinery, motor vehicles, world leader in the production of gold, diamonds, aluminosilicates, chromium, manganese, vanadium, platinum, copper ore, coal, asbestos, iron ore, silver, titanium, uranium, natural gas extracted offshore, hydroelectric, and irrigation scheme

Government:
South Africa is a federal state. Until 1994 the white minority with minimal mixed-race and Asian representation governed South Africa while blacks virtually had no representation. The country became a fully multiracial democracy in April of 1994 under a temporary constitution. Later in 1996 a permanent constitution was implemented. The president serves for five-year term and serves as both the chief of state and head of government. The bicameral parliament consists of a 400-member National Assembly, elected based on proportional representation. The second parliament is a 90-seat National Council of Provinces, which is elected by the nine provincial legislatures (legislators serve five-year terms). The constitution contains an extensive bill of rights and provides for an independent judiciary; the 11-judge Constitutional Court is the highest court of appeal. Provinces are given exclusive powers in only a few areas, such as roads and recreation. The leading political parties are the African National Congress, the predominantly white Democratic party and New National party, and the Zulu-based Inkhata Freedom party.

Stock Market:
Johannesburg Stock Exchange
http://www.jse.co.za/
South African Futures Exchange
http://www.safex.co.za/

Higher Education Institutation(s):

Bond University

City Varsity

Medical University of South Africa (MEDUNSA)

MidRand University (MidRand)

MidRand University (Milpark)

Monash University

Newport University

Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education(PU FOR CHE)

Rand Afrikaans University (RAU)

Rhodes University

St Augustine College of South Africa

University of Cape Town (UCT)