Area:

1.2 million sq km

Population (Mid-2009 estimates):

49.3 million

Currency:

1 Rand = 100cents

Time:

GMT + 2 hrs

Official Name:

Republic of South Africa

Capitals:

Cape Town (legislative), Pretoria (administrative), Bloemfontein (judicial)

Head of State:

President Jacob Zuma

Main Languages:

11 Official languages. English preferred language of business

Religion:

Predominantly Christian. Freedom of worship guaranteed by the Constitution

Form of State:

Federal, comprising a central government and nine provincial governments

Legal System:

Based on Roman Dutch law and 1996 Constitution

National Legislature:

Bi-cameral 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 2009:

R2,450 bn (at current prices)

GDP per Capita:

R49,696

Real GDP Growth:

-1.8%

Inflation 2009 (year-on-year) :

CPI: 6.3%
PPI: 0.7%

Exports:

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

Imports:

Machinery, transport equipment, manufactured goods, chemicals, oil

Main Trading Partners:

Germany, USA, UK, China, Japan, France

International dialing code:

+27