1. Republic of South Africa

2. General Information The British seized The Cape of Good Hope in 1806. Boers (Dutch settlers) trekked North and founded their own republics. Diamonds were discovered in 1867, and gold followed in 1886.

3. These discoveries spurred wealth and immigration. The subjugation of native peoples increased and intensified. The Boers resisted the British takeover. The Boers were defeated in the Boers War fought from 1899-1902.

4. The result of the war was the Union of South Africa operating under a policy of Apartheid. What is Apartheid?  Strict separation of the development of the races. 1990’s brought an end to apartheid politically, and ushered in black majority rule.

5. South Africa Flag until 1994 when Apartheid fell. South Africa flag after1994 when Apartheid fell.

6. Absolute: Absolute: 29* South Latitude 24* East Longitude29* South Latitude 24* East Longitude Relative: Relative: Southern portion of the African continent.Southern portion of the African continent.

8.  A bit smaller than twice the size of Texas.  Climate: Mostly semi-arid. Subtropical along East coast. Sunny days, cool nights.

9.  Terrain: –Vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain.  Natural Hazards: –Prolonged droughts.

10.  Ethnicity: –75.2% Black –13.6% White –8.6% Colored –2.6% Indian

11.  Religions: –68% Christian –2% Muslim –1.5% Hindu –28.5% Indigenous beliefs and animists.

12.  Capital: –Pretoria –Capetown is the legislative center, and Bloemfontein is the judicial center.

13. There is a lack of arterial waterways. This makes water conservation a necessity. Growth in water usage is outpacing supply. Pollution of rivers from agricultural runoff and urban discharge.

14. Air pollution resulting in acid rain. Soil Erosion Desertification

15. Railways Highways Pipelines: petroleum, crude oil, natural gas Ports and Harbors: Cape Town, East London, Durban, Mossel Bay

16. Airports: 743 143 with paved runways 584 with unpaved runways

17. Movement of illicit drugs: Transshipment point for heroine, hashish, marijuana, and possibly cocaine. Increasingly popular place for money launderers because of elevating levels of organized crime.

18. Swaziland continues to press South Africa into ceding ethnic Swazi lands. These lands were long ago part of the Swazi Kingdom.