South Africa, Republic of

South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa, is a country located at the southern tip of Africa.

It has 2,798 kilometers (1,739 mi) of coastline that stretches along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

To the north lie the neighboring countries of Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe; to the east are Mozambique and Swaziland; while within it lies Lesotho, an enclave surrounded by South African territory.

South Africa is the 25th-largest country in the world by land area, and with close to 53 million people, is the world's 24th-most populous nation.South Africa is a multiethnic society encompassing a wide variety of cultures, languages, and religions.

This is reflected by the fact that 11 official languages are recognized in the constitution, among the highest number of any country in the world.

Two of these languages are of European origin: English and Afrikaans, the latter originating from Dutch and serving as the main language of most white and colored South Africans.

Though English is commonly used in public and commercial life, it is only the fifth most-spoken home language.

About 80% of the South African population is of black African ancestry, divided among a variety of ethnic groups speaking different Bantu languages, nine of which have official status.

South Africa also hosts the African continent's largest communities of European, Asian, and multiracial ancestry.

All ethnic and linguistic groups have political representation in the country's constitutional democracy, which comprises a parliamentary republic and nine provinces.

Since the end of apartheid, South Africa's unique multicultural character has been emphasized as a major element of its national identity, as expounded upon by the Rainbow Nation moniker and concept.South Africa is ranked as an upper-middle income economy by the World Bank, and is considered to be a newly industrialized country.

It has the largest economy in Africa, and the 28th-largest in the world.

In terms of purchasing power parity, South Africa has the fifth-highest per capita income in Africa.

However, there remains widespread poverty and inequality, with about a quarter of the population unemployed and living on less than US$1.25 a day.

Nevertheless, South Africa has been identified as a middle power in international affairs, and maintains significant regional influence.

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