South Africa Quick Facts

Introduction

South Africa is the most developed of the African Nations and is considered a premium holiday destination for sheer variety offered by different destinations. Tourists flock to South Africa for its natural beauty, wildlife and sunshine. South Africa's immensely varied terrain supports a rich diversity of animals, birds, and plant-life and offers an incomparable range of experiences. Whether you're in South Africa on safari or to enjoy the beaches, breathtaking drives, or unspoiled wilderness.

Capital	Pretoria
Languages	Afrikaans , English , IsiNdbele , Sesotho , Xhosa
Currency	South African Rand (1 ZAR= 6.44 INR Approx.)
Time Difference	GMT +2 Hrs & IST -3.5 Hrs
Best Time to Visit	March to May and August to October

Climate

Climate
South Africa stretches between the 22nd and 34th degrees of southern latitude and hence is part of the subtropical zone. Compared to other regions at that latitude, temperatures in many areas of South Africa are rather lower. The cold Benguela current causes moderate temperatures on the West Coast, and on the central plateau the altitude (Jo'burg lies at 1753m) keeps the average temperatures below 30 degrees Celsius. In winter, also due to altitude, temperatures drop to the freezing point, and in places even lower. Then it is warmest in the coastal regions. Precipitation is to be expected mainly in the summer months, with the exception of the Western Cape which is a winter-rain area.

South Africa stretches between the 22nd and 34th degrees of southern latitude and hence is part of the subtropical zone. Compared to other regions at that latitude, temperatures in many areas of South Africa are rather lower. The cold Benguela current causes moderate temperatures on the West Coast, and on the central plateau the altitude (Jo'burg lies at 1753m) keeps the average temperatures below 30 degrees Celsius. In winter, also due to altitude, temperatures drop to the freezing point, and in places even lower. Then it is warmest in the coastal regions. Precipitation is to be expected mainly in the summer months, with the exception of the Western Cape which is a winter-rain area.