Destination guide — South Africa

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Geographical description

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SOUTH AFRICA IS THE SOUTHERNMOST COUNTRY ON THE AFRICAN
CONTINENT AND COVERS AN AREA OF 1,125,459 SQ KM.
FROM THE VAST DESERTS OF TMB WEST COAST TO THE LUSH
SUBTROPICAL FORESTS OF THE EASTERN SEABOARD, SOUTH AFRICA
IS RENOWNED FOR ITS STRIKING SCENIC CONTRASTS. THE COUNTRY
ENCOMPASSES COASTLANDS, MOUNTAINS, RIVERS, LAKES, LAGOONS,
SEMI-DESERTS, ROLLING GRASSLANDS AND BUSHVELD.
THE COUNTRY CAN BE DIVIDED INTO THREE MAJOR ZONES. FIRST,
A BROAD INTERIOR PLATEAU THAT RANGES FROM 900M ABOVE SEA
LEVEL IN THE WEST TO 2,400M IN THE EAST. THE PLATEAU
VARIES IN RELIEF BETWEEN HILLY AREAS TO WIDE FLAT EXPANSES.

SECOND, THE 'GREAT ESCARPMENT', THE MOUNTAINOUS AREA IS
KNOWN AS THE TRANSVAAL DRAKENSBERG IN THE FAR NORTHEAST
AND RISES TO A HEIGHT OF 2,100M AND CONTINUES SOUTHWARD AS
THE NATAL DRAKENSBERG, 3,300M IN HEIGHT. THE MOUNTAINS ARE
LESS IMPRESSIVE FURTHER SOUTH RANGING FROM 1,500 TO
2,280M. THE MONT AUX SOURCES, NORTHEAST OF LESOTHO IS THE
NATION'S HIGHEST PEAK, 3600 METRES.

THE THIRD AREA IS THE COASTAL PLAIN LYING ON THE WEST,
SOUTH AND EAST. IT RANGES FROM 5 TO 48 KM WIDE. THE ORANGE
AND LIMPOPO ARE SOUTH AFRICA'S PRINCIPAL RIVERS.
AccommodationAttractionsClimateEventsFood and drinkGeographical description
Global time zoneHealthPublic holidaysQuickfacts
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