Practical information

Practical information
Geographical features
With an area of 1.227.200 km2 (472.359 m2miles), South Africa is situated at the Southern most tip of Africa.South Africa's West Coast borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Eastern coastline runs along the Indian Ocean. On the North, South Africa borders Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe and in the north-east Mozambique and Swaziland.Completely enclosed by South African territory in the south-east, is the Kingdom of Lesotho.
South Africa is divided into nine provinces: Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Freestate, KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, Northern Province, North west Province and Western Cape.

Climate
In general, South Africa has a perennially sunny climate, but the sun can be extremely fierce. The use of a hat and sunscreen is recommended. Midwinter occurs in June and July, midsummer in December and January. Climate rages from Mediterranean in the Cape Peninsula to sub-tropical on the Kwazulu-Natal coast and in the north-eastern interior. Temperate conditions prevail on the highveld. Days of sunshine range from 265 days a year in Johannesburg to 197 in Durban.

Languages
South Africa has 11 official languages: Afrikaans, English, IsiNdebele, Sependi, Sesotho (Southern Sotho),SiSwati, Xisonga, Setswana, Tshivenda, isiXhosa and IsiZulu.)Afrikaans and English are the two languages mostly used throughout the country.

Water

South African tap water is extremely palatable and perfectly safe to drink. Bottled water is also available at most retail outlets.

Electricity

The electricity supply in South Africa is 220/230 Volts AC 50 Hz. Appliances of lesser voltage require a transformer. Adapters are obtainable locally. Plugs have 3 pins (but different than the English plugs).

Credit cards

Most credit cards (American Express, Diners, Master card, Visa) as well as travellers cheques are accepted.

Distances

When planning your holiday, please keep in mind that South Africa is a rather big country. To avoid that you spend most of your holiday in your car use the distance chart below while planning your trips.

Distances in km	Cape Town	Durban	Jo-burg	P.E.	Pretoria	Nelspruit	Kirkwood
Cape Town	X	1776	1421	790	1479	1787	850
Durban	1776	X	585	986	660	694	1046
Johannesburg	1421	585	X	1083	58	375	1023
Port Elisabeth	790	98	1083	X	1141	1452	60
Pretoria	1479	660	58	1141	X	334	1081
Nelspruit	1787	694	375	1452	334	X	1392
Kirkwood	850	1046	1023	60	1081	1392	X

Public Holidays
New Years Day - 1 January
Human Rights day - 21 March
Freedom day - 27 April
Workers day - 1 May
Youth Day - 16 June
National Women's day - 9 August
Heritage Day - 24 September
Day of Reconciliation - 16 December
Public holiday - 17 December Christmas Day - 25 December
Day of Goodwill - 26 December
School Holidays for the Eastern Cape Province for the year 2007
Term 1 January 15 - March 30
Term 2 April 16 - June 29
Term 3 July 16 - September 21
Term 4 October 1 - November 30

Page last updated 22 May 2007,
info@GreaterAddo.com