South Africa: Capital, Flag and Fun Facts

About South Africa

South Africa is at the southern tip of Africa, with coasts on both the Atlantic and Indian oceans. It has mountains, grasslands, deserts and famous wildlife parks. It is known for its many cultures and languages.

About Pretoria

Pretoria is in the northeast of South Africa, close to Johannesburg. It is home to the Union Buildings, where the president's offices are, and is nicknamed the Jacaranda City for its purple-flowering trees.

Fun facts about South Africa

1. South Africa has three capital cities: Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein.
2. South Africa has 12 official languages, including South African Sign Language, which was added in 2023.
3. The world's first human heart transplant was performed in Cape Town in 1967 by Dr. Christiaan Barnard.
4. Table Mountain, with its flat top above Cape Town, was named one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
5. The Vredefort Dome, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the oldest and largest known meteorite impact structures.
6. The Cape Floral Region, a UNESCO site, has more than 9,000 kinds of plants in a small corner of Africa.