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After the British apprehended the Cape of Good Hope region in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers - the Boers - travelled north to find their own areas of land. The discovery of diamonds in 1867 and gold in 1886 brought great wealth to the area and immigration to the areas greatly increased. The Boers resisted British advances, but were defeated in the Boer War from 1899-1902. The consequential Union of South Africa operated under a policy of apartheid - the divided development of the different races. In the 1990s apartheid was abolished and the country became black majority ruled. Scars of the apartheid can still be experienced in many excellent museums throughout the country. |
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Today South Africa is home to approximately 44,344,136 people although the actual number could be much higher or lower. The approximate life expectancy is a very low at 43.27 years. There is an approximate 86% literacy rate. South Africa 's landmass is approximately 1,219,912 square kilometres and has some 2798 kilometres of coastline. South Africa 's lowest level of elevation is by the Atlantic Ocean at sea level and the highest point is Njesuthi at 3,408 metres above sea level. Natural resources which are found in South Africa are gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium, salt and natural gas
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