Is South Africa a poor or a rich country?
South Africa is the largest financial and economic power in Africa. The province of Gauteng alone with the largest city in the country, Johannesburg, has a greater economic output than any other African country. But what does that mean?
South Africa’s industry is well developed. South Africa is the world’s third largest exporter of agricultural products. Due to the diversity of the landscape, many different products can be grown and in large quantities. South Africa exports a large part.
So South Africa is a rich country. South Africa’s industry is also well developed and there are many natural resources. South Africa’s economy is the most successful in all of Africa. South Africa forms the South African Customs Union (SACU) with Swaziland, Namibia, Lesotho and Botswana.
Why is the reversal of the seasons a benefit?
The reversal of the seasons is a great advantage, because it allows us to import summer products from South Africa in winter. Mangoes only grow in summer in other countries. And not only here, the entire northern hemisphere imports South African products such as fruit.
Wheat, wine, citrus fruits, apples and vegetables thrive in the Cape region. In the coastal areas in the east of the country, the climate is tropical. Bananas, pineapples, mangoes and sugar cane can also be grown here. In the northeast, fruits, vegetables, grains and sugar crops are grown. The areas to the northwest are very rich in livestock, especially sheep and cattle.
Who do the farms belong to?
The consequences of apartheid are still evident, because agriculture and, above all, the land are mostly still in the hands of the white farmers. The black South Africans are employed as workers. With luck, they have a small piece of land to support themselves and their families, but nothing more.
Gold, platinum and more
Mines are an important economic factor in South Africa. In South Africa, for example, the largest amounts of gold, platinum and chromium as well as the second largest amount of manganese and titanium and the fifth largest amount of diamonds and hard coal are mined.
Nickel, copper, uranium and iron are other mineral resources that were discovered in South Africa. This is how the industry developed in South Africa that processes these mineral resources. Iron, steel and chemical products, electronic devices, textiles and much more are manufactured in South Africa and also exported. The largest industrial locations can be found in the Johannesburg region.
Ports
The port cities, which due to their location have very good connections to international shipping routes, are also important locations for South Africa’s industry. In Durban it is
South Africa is located on one of the busiest shipping routes in the world between the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and America. So South Africa is very important for trade and indeed for trade with the whole of South Africa.
Tourists in South Africa
Another important economic factor in the country is tourism. There are more than 200 nature reserves here, such as the Kruger National Park. South Africa also has a long coastline, which also attracts many tourists. To get more information on South Africa and Africa, check computerminus.
The number of visitors has been rising steadily for years. There are almost 10 million people who currently come every year. It also increases the number of people who find work in the tourism industry.
South Africa today
In 1997 there was a new constitution in South Africa, which is one of the most progressive constitutions in the world. Today South Africa is a presidential republic. The South African people elect the president. Several parties are fighting for the favor of the voters. The ANC has always been the strongest party so far. This is the party to which Nelson Mandela belonged and which successfully fought against apartheid. Nelson Mandela’s successor was Thabo Mbeki in 1999 and Jacob Zuma in 2009.
New President of South Africa: Cyril Ramaphosa
On February 15, 2018, Vice President Cyril Ramaphosa was elected as the new President of South Africa. He is one of the richest people in South Africa. The previous president was accused of corruption and asked to resign.
South Africa’s wealth belongs to few
Although South Africa is a rich country due to its natural resources, this wealth only belongs to a few. Many people are poor, cannot find work and crime is high. Young people in particular are unemployed and have few prospects (see also everyday life).
