South Africa

South Africa Political Map

Physical Maps

Also known as Republic of South

Africa

History

1500s: Europeans begin exploring and trading takes place.

1600s: European's settle in South Africa for the first time and begin to further colonize

and trade. Slavery begins.

1700s: Colonization by the Dutch and slavery

continue. Protestant Missionary is established.

1800s: Control is turned over to England. They colonize

more and set up businesses. Wars continue.

1900s: Gain independence and

Nelson Mandela fought for equal rights against apartheid government.

Historical Figures

Jan van RiebeeckNelson

MandelaJan

Smuts

Historical Places

Robben Island Battlefields Route

Apartheid Museum Cradle of Humankind

Apartheid Museum

(Johannesburg)

Cradle of Humankind

(Northwest of Johannesburg)

Robben Island (Off coast of Cape Town)

Battlefields Route (province of Kwazulu

Natal)

Religions• 80% Christian• Indigenous:–Khosian peoples

Khosian peoples preparing for a

ritual

Government• Constitutional democracy with a

three-tier system of government and an independent judiciary.– National, Provincial, and Local

• 3 Capitals: Bloemfontein, Pretoria, and Cape Town

• Parliament– National Assembly and National

Council of Provinces

• President and the Cabinet

Capital Buildings

Bloemfontein Pretoria Cape Town

Food• Mageu• Braais• Bitlong• Skop• Melktart

Traditional Clothing

• Vibrant colors• Beaded accessories• Cheetah skin• Ndebeles people

Ethnicity• Hundreds of native ethnicities• Government divided ethnicities into

four major racial categories: – Black Africans, Whites,

Coloreds, and Indians

• This system was abolished in 1991, but many people still go by this

Ethnicity in South Africa

75% Black Africans

13% Whites

9% Col-oreds3% Indians

Holidays• After the apartheid government fell,

holidays that would be meaningful to South Africans were created:–Human Rights Day– Freedom Day–Heritage Day– Day of Reconciliation

Economy• GDP: 357.3 billion in U.S. $• Inflation: 4.9%• Unemployment Rate: 24%• $1 = 7.85 Rand• 1 Rand = $0.13• Rich in mineral resources• Labor has undergone a massive

change