South Africa

Formation

May 31, 1961

Capital

Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein

Population

59.39 million (2021)

South Africa

About

The southernmost country on the African continent. The National Party imposed apartheid in 1948, legalizing racial segregation. The repeal of discriminatory laws began in the 1980s and led to the formation of a democratic government in 1994.

Trivia

Fossil remains of human ancestors have been found dating back about three million years. The Kruger National Park is home to over 12,000 elephants, 27,000 African Buffalo, 1000 leopards and other wildlife. The first heart transplant in the world took place there in 1967.

Celebrities Born In South Africa