|
fiogf49gjkf0d 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.
|