About South Africa
Overview
The country of South Africa is located on the southern tip of the African continent and is bordered by the Atlantic and Indian oceans, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland. Within its borders lies the small nation of Lesotho. Much of the terrain is made up of a large interior plateau surrounded by rugged hills. The climate is predominantly semiarid, though along the east coast it is subtropical. Natural resources include gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, salt and natural gas. Despite its vast coastline, South Africa has limited fresh water resources.
The HIV/AIDS pandemic is having a tremendous impact on South Africa. The country has the highest number of HIV-positive people in the world (5.5 million), and the prevalence rate among adults is more than 18.8 percent. Over the past few years, life expectancy has declined by nearly 20 years, infant mortality has risen, and the number of men and women in their 30s and 40s has decreased, yielding a sharp increase in the number of children left without one or both parents.
Today South Africa is considered a middle-income, developing country, yet its people face economic challenges. The country has a high unemployment rate and the daunting effects of apartheid have resulted in poverty and lack of economic empowerment for disadvantaged groups. The government’s economic policy tends to be fiscally conservative but is focusing on targeting inflation and opening up trade as a means to increase employment growth and household income. (Source: World Vision)
Stats
(Source: World Vision)
Population 47.4 million
Land Mass 471,008 sq. miles
Life Expectancy 42 years
Infant Mortality Rate 55 / 1,000
Literacy Rate 82%
School Enrollment 89%
Access to Safe Water 88%
Average Annual Income (GNI per capita) US$4,960