Total Size

1,219,090 sq km

Population

48 million (1999)

Currency

Rand(R) or ZAR where (R1 = 100 cents)

Exchange Rate

ZAR 7.00 = US$ 1.00

Time

GMT + 2 hrs

Official Name

Republic of South Africa

Capitals

Cape Town (Legislative)
Pretoria (Administrative)
Bloemfontein (Judicial)

Head of State

President Jacob G Zuma

Languages

English; Xhosa; Afrikaans; IsiZulu; Sepedi; Sesotho; Setswana; Tshivenda; Xitsonga; IsiNdebele and SiSwati.

Business Language

English most commonly spoken

Religion

Predominantly Christian, freedom of worship guaranteed by the constitution

Form of State

Broadly federal, comprising a central government and nine provincial governments

Legal System

Based on Roman Dutch and English Law and the 1996 Constitution.

National Legislature

Bicameral parliament, elected every five years, comprising a 400-seat National Assembly and a 90-seat Council of Provinces

Electoral System

List-system with proportional representation based on universal adult suffrage

Total GDP 2003

R 1,209.5 trillion (US$250 bn) (at current price)

GDP per Capita

R 26,998

Real GDP Growth

1.9%

Inflation (CPIX)

6.8% (annual average)

Exports

Gold, minerals, diamonds, metals and metal products, foods, automotive components

Imports

Machinery; transport equipment; manufactured goods, chemicals, oil and raw material

Main Trading Partners

Germany, USA, UK, China, Japan, France