National Flag:
Two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band that splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes; the flag colors do not have any official symbolism, but the Y stands for the “convergence of diverse elements within South African society, taking the road ahead in unity”; black, yellow, and green are found on the flag of the African National Congress, while red, white, and blue are the colors in the flags of the Netherlands and the UK, whose settlers ruled South Africa during the colonial era.
Capital:
Administrative: Pretoria
Legislative: Cape Town
Judicial: Bloemfontein
Official Langauges (11):
Currency: Rand
Main industries:
South Africa is a middle-income, emerging market with an abundant supply of natural resources; well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors; a stock exchange that is 18th largest in the world; and modern infrastructure supporting an efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the region.
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mining (world’s largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs, commercial ship repair
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Agricultural produce includes corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; beef, poultry, mutton, wool, dairy products
Did You Know?
- The South African flag is the only national flag to display six colors as part of its primary design.
- South Africa has 11 official langauges!
- Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki belong to the Xhosa nation
- Lobola – ‘bride wealth’ refers to the traditional compensation of cattle or money paid to a bride’s family in recognition of her accomplishments.
- South Africa is the only nation named after it’s geographical location.
