South Africa is located in the subtropical and tropical (to the north of 30 S) belts. Of decisive importance for the climate of South Africa is the subtropical belt of high atmospheric pressure with permanent oceanic maxima - South Atlantic and Indian - and intercontinental pressure centers that intersect seasonally.
In winter (in July), the center of the high pressure area is located above the Central Plateau. At this time of the year it is cold there, and the winds blowing from there contribute to the establishment of dry cold cloudless weather in many parts of South Africa. However, in the far south (Cape and Southern Coastal Regions), winter is a season of frequent cold torrential rains, and there the sky is almost constantly covered with clouds.
In summer (January) the center low pressure located above the Central Plateau. It drags on there wet air from the Indian Ocean. At the same time, moisture-bearing winds contribute to rainfall in the southeastern and eastern parts of the Great Escarpment and on the Central Plateau. However, in the Cape region, dry and hot weather sets in in summer.
Precipitation amounts decrease to the west from 1900 mm on the eastern slopes of the Drakensberg Mountains to less than 25 mm on the coast of Namaqualand. Due to the uneven topography, the Cape and Southern Coastal Regions show large local differences in rainfall.
Temperatures in South Africa decrease from east to west. Under the influence of the cold Benguela current, following along the west coast, temperatures drop significantly. The average annual temperature in Port Nollot is 14°C, however, on the east coast, under the influence of the warm Indian Ocean, temperatures are high, and in Durban the average annual temperature is 22°C. On the other hand, the temperature difference between the northern and southern regions is small, as the altitudes increase north. The southern tip of the mainland (Cape Agulhas) and Johannesburg (located 1450 km to the north, but at an altitude of 1740 m above sea level) have an average annual temperature of approx. 16° C.
The central plateau is characterized by a sharply continental climate with pronounced contrasts of daily and annual temperatures. The summer is hot with blindingly bright sunlight and occasional severe thunderstorms. Kimberley, at an altitude of 1220 m above sea level, in January has an average maximum temperature of 32 ° C and an average minimum temperature of 17 ° C. On the other hand, during the winter there is pleasant warm weather (the average maximum temperature in July is 19 ° C) due to the bright sunlight, but the nights are cold (the minimum temperature in July is 2°C). Winters are very dry, with little to no rain in June, July and August.
Namaqualand is a very dry area: the amount of precipitation ranges from a maximum of 200 mm in the mountains of the interior to a minimum of less than 25 mm on the coast. On the coast, the weather is cool and temperatures are fairly constant. Outside the zone of influence of the coastal breeze, temperatures rise strongly in summer.
The Cape region has the same favorable climate as the Mediterranean coast of Europe and southern California. Rainy weather sets in in winter, and dry in summer. Precipitation occurs in May-September. On the coast, they usually fall as rain, but in the higher mountains (for example, on the Table Mountain near Cape Town) there are occasional snowfalls. Their number varies greatly depending on the nature of the relief. In Cape Town, the average annual rainfall reaches 630 mm, while some high mountains usually receive 2540 mm. Temperatures in Cape Town vary greatly throughout the year. In July (winter) the average minimum temperature is 9°C and the average maximum is 17°C; in January (summer) the average minimum temperature is 16°C, and the average maximum temperature is 27°C. Within the region, however, large temperature contrasts are observed, which depends on exposure to the moderating influence of the ocean; in the interior valleys, summers are hotter and winters colder than on the coast.
The Southern Coastal Region receives as much precipitation in winter as the Cape Region and in summer as much as the Southeast Coastal Region.
The Southeast Coastal Region receives most of its rainfall during the summer months, but no month is truly dry. In Durban, 1140 mm of liquid precipitation falls annually, with an average of 150 mm in March and only 40 mm in July. In summer there is very warm wet weather with an average maximum temperature of 28°C and an average minimum of 21°C in January. Winters are mild and pleasant with an average maximum temperature of 22°C and an average minimum of 13°C in July.
The Transvaal Low Weld receives in summer a large number of precipitation, in some places up to 2030 mm. Winters are dry and sunny. All year round high temperatures prevail.
The climate of South Africa is tropical, in the south of the country - subtropical. South Africa is located in the very south of the African continent, and is washed by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other. At the same time, the western coast of the country is washed by the cold Bengal Current, and the eastern coast by the warm Mozambique Current. Sea currents have a huge impact on the formation of the country's climate. Thus, the eastern coast of South Africa has average air temperatures approximately 6 ° C higher (due to the warm Mozambique Current) than parts of the western coast located at the same latitude (in the area of the Bengal Current, the water temperature does not rise above + 18 ° C all year round). WITH).
Climatic conditions in South Africa are very diverse and depend on the height relative to the ocean level and remoteness from it, while even neighboring areas can differ markedly from each other in air temperature. For instance, average annual temperature Cape Town and Pretoria are the same, although these cities are separated from each other by almost ten degrees of latitude (!).
A pronounced subtropical climate with high humidity is characteristic of the eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal, while the central part of the country is characterized by hot summers with occasional thunderstorms and cool winters. The central high-mountain regions are characterized by large daily temperature ranges, and in winter, at night, even frosts occur. In coastal areas, the climate is more humid and is characterized by an abundance of tropical showers.
In general, the climate in South Africa is very comfortable and healthy. The country is free of malaria and yellow fever, which are present in many African countries. South Africa occupies one of the first places in the world in terms of sunny days(!). The sun shines here seven months a year! More than half of the solar energy of the entire earth is absorbed here per 1 m².
Since South Africa is located in the southern part of the hemisphere, the climatic seasons here replace each other in reverse - when it is winter in the northern hemisphere, in South Africa it is hot summer, when in the northern hemisphere it is summer - in South Africa it is winter. Seasonal differences are more pronounced when comparing the northern part of the country with the southern. But, in general, climatic periods are replaced, almost imperceptibly.
Winter in South Africa
In early December, the hot tropical summer begins in South Africa. This is a very pleasant season of the year, when the weather is sunny and dry, the heat is moderate, if any, and the nights bring coolness. Daytime and nighttime air temperatures rise to a comfortable level, for beach holiday, marks, and tourists can soak up the sun to their heart's content. Exactly at summer period, from December to March, the water temperature in the oceans reaches its maximum, while the Atlantic is never warm here and the water temperature warms up to only + 20 ° С. But the water temperature at Port Elizabeth reaches + 22 ° C in summer.
The main beach area of the country can be called the coast of the province of Natal, south and north of Durban. On the coast of the Indian Ocean in South Africa, the sun almost always shines, clear weather prevails all year round, regardless of the season. The average daily air temperature in Durban during the summer months is +28°C, at night up to +25°C. You can swim here throughout the year - the water temperature in the ocean reaches +24°C in summer and up to +20°C in winter.
In the region of Johannesburg and Pretoria, the summer is rainy, but it usually rains only in the afternoon, it is always sunny and dry before lunch. The average daytime air temperature in Pretoria and Johannesburg at this time of the year is +28°C, at night there is a slight cooling - up to +23°C. In the mountainous regions between Johannesburg and the Transkei, air temperatures fall in line with altitude (the higher the - the lower the air temperature.
Cape Town is considered the windiest city in the world. The average daytime air temperature in Cape Town during the summer months is +26°C, at night it drops to only +20°C. At this time of the year, the east wind blows here, which is called the "cape doctor". Despite a slight discomfort (since the wind is strong enough), it repels insects and disperses industrial emissions. During the summer, clouds hang over Table Mountain and it is considered one of the landscape attractions of this country.
Despite the seemingly low air temperatures for Africa, the sun is very hot here, and burns very quickly. From the end of February you can see birds gathering in flocks and circling over the beaches and villages. Many birds (for example, swifts and swallows) make a long journey and fly to South Africa from the northern hemisphere to spend the winter, and at the end of the summer (winter) are going to return home. So don't be surprised if on the other end the globe, thousands of kilometers from home, you will meet such familiar and dear birds to you ...
Spring in South Africa
March is the last hot month in South Africa, the end of the month can be described as the beginning of autumn. The average daily air temperature in Cape Town is +25°C, dropping to +19°C at night, in Pretoria and Johannesburg during the day, on average, +26°C, and at night up to +19°C. The warmest in March will be in Durban - up to + 28 ° C during the day, + 25 ° C at night. And if March is still quite suitable for a beach holiday, then starting from April it will be already cool to swim. But, it is at this time that the hunting season opens - all hunting grounds are open. Hunting for baboons, which are widespread in South Africa in large numbers, is especially common, because these monkeys are predators and exterminate young antelopes.
In April, the autumn period begins throughout South Africa. Despite the fact that there is very little rainfall in autumn, at night and in the morning, almost throughout the country, thick fog rises. Autumn in South Africa is not much different from autumn in European latitudes. Many turn yellow deciduous trees, and the vineyards are covered with golden colors of autumn.
The air temperature drops by 2-3 degrees everywhere, and the daily fluctuations become larger. The average daytime air temperature in Cape Town in April reaches +22°C, and at night it drops to +17°C. In Pretoria and Johannesburg in April in the daytime around +24°C, at night up to +19°C. It is still warm in Durban - +25°C during the day, up to +21°C at night.
In May, rains become more frequent in South Africa, cloudy weather begins to prevail, many trees turn yellow. This time is associated with the harvest, so many farmers can be seen in the fields harvesting corn, cotton and sugar cane.
In May, it gets even colder throughout South Africa. The average daytime air temperature in Cape Town barely reaches + 19 ° C, and at night it does not exceed + 14 ° C at all, and all because of strong and cold winds. A little warmer in Pretoria and Johannesburg - up to + 22 ° C during the day, but at night it is also cool - no more than + 15 ° C. It is also windy in Durban, but it is warmer here - the average daytime air temperature is +24°C, at night up to +20°C.
Summer in South Africa
In June, the winter period begins in South Africa. The weather is very unpredictable throughout the day. Also, climatic conditions vary from location - in some regions in winter time year it is very comfortable, in others it is very cold. On the territory of the savannahs and plains, precipitation is extremely rare, but in the mountains it often snows and the air temperature can drop below 0°C. When moving north from Cape Town along the Atlantic coast, the climate becomes drier and hotter - the Namib Desert approaches. Here the coast is inhabited by large colonies of birds (gulls, gannets, pelicans, flamingos and many others), and the cold Bengal current significantly lowers the temperature of the Atlantic waters. With a cold current, sardines come to the shores and remain for spawning. And they are followed by predators - sharks, seals, dolphins and others, therefore, the winter period is considered the best time for diving in these places. Those who are lucky enough to find a flock of sardines underwater will be very impressed. Everywhere sharks and dolphins are circling, which are seized by a thirst for easy money, and birds crashing into the water.
In winter, the coasts of South Africa are very cool, the winds blow and it rains from time to time. The average daytime air temperature in Cape Town in winter is about +17°C, at night it is very cool, only up to +12°C. In Pretoria and Johannesburg during the day +19°C, at night, too, up to +12°C. In Durban, it is a little warmer - +21°C during the day and up to +17°C at night, not at all a beach weather. In the mountains in the midst of winter, you can see snow, and not a little. Sometimes there is snow in large cities, but there it melts quickly.
Tourists wandering into South Africa in the middle of winter are in for a stunning sight. In July, whales come to the coast en masse and stay close to the coast until October. Off the coast of South Africa, whales give birth and raise their young. At this time, they approach the shore so close that they can be seen with the naked eye. Therefore, ships full of tourists often go out to sea, who want to see a huge whale up close!
August is the last winter month in South Africa. This is the best time to visit the southern Kalahari Desert. From mid-August to mid-September, the desert is covered with millions of flowers. The entire desert burns with orange fire, occasionally diluted with yellow or blue glades.
Autumn in South Africa
From the very first days of September, spring begins in South Africa! At this time, the air temperature begins to rise everywhere, precipitation becomes less, and the sun shines more and more often. Water in rivers and lakes is getting warmer, its temperature is about +15°C. The vegetation of plants is actively developing, everything around blooms and smells. This time is the best for visiting national parks and trips to remote places of the country.
Perhaps only in South Africa you can see so many flowers at the same time. Literally all lawns inside cities and fields outside of civilization are covered with them. In spring, the Kalahari desert continues to bloom, where there are 3,000 species of flowers (!), Of which about 1,500 are unique (!), Which are not found anywhere else on earth. And in Namaqualand, another 4,000 types of flowers (!) bloom, 1,000 of which are unique. Here the flowers dry up with the onset of summer, and the place turns into a desert.
Already in September in the west of the country there are more and more sunny days, and it rains even less often - only 2-3 rains can pass in a month. Cape Town at this time is very picturesque - its botanical gardens and flower gardens are considered to be among the most beautiful in the world! average temperature air in Cape Town in September + 18 ° C, at night up to + 14 ° C, but the ocean off the coast of the city at this time of the year is very cold - no more than + 15 ° C. It will be very warm in September in Pretoria and Johannesburg, here the average daily air temperature rises up to + 26 ° C, at night, as a rule, about + 20 ° C. But in Durban, it is still not hot - the air temperature warms up only to + 23 ° C during the day, falling to + 20 ° C at night. But the ocean on this side of the coast is a little warmer, and in September it warms up to + 18 ° C.
In October, it gets even warmer in South Africa. This month, Pretoria is rightfully considered the most beautiful city in the country. The fact is that the whole city is planted with trees called "Jacaranda". In October, these trees begin to bloom, turning all the streets purple and emitting an incredible fragrance everywhere. The smell of these flowers makes women all over the world look for perfumes that are at least a little like it.
In October, the average daytime temperature in Cape Town already reaches +21°C, at night it drops to +16°C. In Pretoria and Johannesburg in October there are wonderful air temperatures - during the day, on average, + 27 ° C, at night + 22 ° C, and in Durban during the day + 23 ° C, at night + 20 ° C. In some mountainous regions of the country, strong diurnal temperature fluctuations occur in spring, when the air cools down to below 0°C at night. The highest amount of precipitation in the mountains falls at this time.
November - the last month of spring - is a great time to travel around the country. It is especially pleasant this month to visit Blyde River Canyon. At this time, in good spring weather, a view of 120 kilometers around opens here, it seems as if the whole earth is visible. This place is nicknamed "God's Window".
The November air temperature in the country is beautiful: the average daytime temperature in Cape Town is +22°C, although at night it drops to +17°C. In Pretoria and Johannesburg in November it is very comfortable during the day - about + 27 ° C, at night up to + 22 ° C. In Durban during the day, on average, +23°C, at night about +21°C.
Rainfall in South Africa is unevenly distributed and fluctuates significantly from west to east. In the north-west of the country, the annual rainfall does not exceed 200 mm per year. Eastern regions South Africa receives between 500 mm and 900 mm of precipitation per year, and sometimes the amount of precipitation there exceeds 2,000 mm of precipitation per year. The central part of the country receives, on average, 400 mm of precipitation per year, and this figure increases as you approach the coast.
When is the best time to go to South Africa? You can go to South Africa in any month, here the best time to visit the country depends only on your desires. If you dream of visiting the extraordinary Cape Town - the best time to travel is the summer months - from December to March. At this time, it is usually warm and sunny here, only occasionally it can rain with thunder and lightning and get a little colder. But remember: the high season in South Africa starts from December 20 to January 5, when most people take their annual vacation, the prices for accommodation, air tickets and car rentals will be very high. And although Cape Town is beautiful at any time of the year, it will be most comfortable here in the summer.
If you are going to South Africa for a beach holiday, then feel free to go to the vicinity of Durban for a good wave and the most warm sea in the country. Beach holidays here are possible in the summer months - from December to March, this time is considered the warmest and most comfortable. Here you can relax on the gorgeous beaches, swimming, sunbathing, surfing, canoeing, snorkeling, diving or fishing. But the rest of the months are of little use for a beach holiday - it is cold, windy and sometimes very rainy.
The spring months - from September to November - are the best time to visit the Western Cape, the time when magnificent wild flowers and daisies bloom in the Namaqualand Valley. In addition, it is in spring that everything around blooms, every flower, every plant in the country blooms and emits a fragrant aroma. Even the big cities of South Africa and those cannot resist the spring mood, and even here all the streets bloom with a colorful carpet. Therefore, if you need really colorful photos, go to South Africa in the spring months.
Numerous national parks in South Africa can be visited at any time of the year, but, for example, reserves in Zululand, in the north of Natal, it is preferable to visit in winter months between July and September. At this time, here you can see large numbers of hippos, crocodiles and white rhinos.But one of the best reserves in Africa and the most famous park in South Africa - national park Kruger - best to visit from May to October, when there is a dry season, and the months of September and October are especially favorable. At this time, you can see the maximum diversity of the local fauna, because most of the animals gather at this time of the year near the reservoirs.
The autumn months - from March to the beginning of June - are the hunting season in the country, and if you are a big fan of hunting, you can try your hand at the expanses of Africa.
The time from July to October is excellent for whale watching. It is during this period that they massively sail to the coast of South Africa, there are a lot of them here, at the same time they begin to breed here.
In the winter months, it is better to exclude the coastal cities of South Africa from visiting - it is damp, dank, cold and rainy here. The mountainous region of the country is also famous for its special climate - in winter it can be very cold here and knee-deep snowdrifts.
Tours in South Africa – special offers of the day
South Africa has many different climate zones. There are deserts, and zones with a Mediterranean and even subtropical climate. The difference in temperature and humidity in different zones of this part of the world is quite significant. In general, the seasons here are directly opposite to the seasons in the Northern Hemisphere.
Weather in South Africa now:
Summer weather in South Africa occurs from October to March, at which time the air temperature can range from 15 to 35 degrees. Winter weather is established from June to August, when temperatures can drop below zero at night and rise to twenty degrees during the day. Spring and autumn take short periods of time - two months each.
Climate of South Africa by months:
Spring
Spring in South Africa comes in August. At this time, the temperature begins to rise, its daily jumps increase. In August, in different zones of the South African region, the temperature during the day can rise to 20 degrees, and at night it can drop to 8-10 degrees. In September, these figures increase by an average of 2-5 degrees. Water in rivers and lakes is warming, its temperature is about 15 degrees. At this time, vegetation is actively developing and flourishing. So, in Botswana, acacias, mokutemo and other plants begin to grow and bloom.
In spring, in areas located far from the coast, the wind season begins. Unlike winter and other seasons, when the wind speed is rarely one and a half meters per second, in August the wind speed reaches 8 meters per second.
Summer
Summer in South Africa starts in October. During this season, temperatures can reach 35 degrees in different areas. During the day, the entire territory is dry heat, but at night the thermometers drop to fifteen degrees. In some places, such as South Africa, there are strong diurnal temperature fluctuations, when the air cools to below zero at night. Usually such differences are found in the mountains. The largest amount of precipitation occurs during this time. Then the flowering of vegetation begins.
The small South African country of Swaziland is distinguished by a huge variety and richness of flora. There are about two and a half thousand species of plants here. These are all kinds of flowers and shrubs. This time of the year is most of holidays in South Africa. The largest of them is New Year and Christmas, which is celebrated according to Catholic custom on December 25th.
Autumn
The autumn season begins in South Africa in April and does not last very long - until about mid-May. This is very interesting time of the year. Despite the fact that there is very little precipitation in autumn, thick fog rises almost throughout the night and in the morning. The temperature gradually drops down, the daily fluctuations become smaller. For example, in April in South Africa, the temperature rises to 23 degrees during the day, and drops to 12 degrees at night. In some countries, for example, in Zimbabwe, such a season as autumn is not distinguished at all, winter comes abruptly, in late March - early April.
Winter
The winter period is the most varied weather season in South Africa. This season starts in June and ends in August. On average, the temperature fluctuates between 10-20 degrees Celsius. On the territory of the savannahs and plains, precipitation is extremely rare, but snow often lies in the mountains. In mountainous areas, the air temperature can drop well below zero. Although most of the regions are characterized by mild frosts.
In South Africa, there are no animals that would hibernate with the onset of cold weather. Representatives of the local fauna generally behave the same at any time of the year. The fauna here is quite diverse. You can meet both predatory animals - such as jackals, hyenas, leopards and lions, as well as herbivorous elephants, antelopes, zebras and all kinds of monkeys.
Square: 1.2 million km2
Population: 49 million people
Capital: Pretoria
Geographical position
The Republic of South Africa (SAR) is located in the extreme south of Africa, south of the Southern Tropic and is washed by the waters of two oceans. The cold Benguela current in the west and the warm current of Cape Agulhas in the east determine the climate and nature of the country. The slightly indented coastline and desert areas of the west coast do not contribute to its intensive development. The south coast has a more favorable geographical position for development . On the territory of South Africa there are two small independent states - Lesotho and. (Find out on the map which countries South Africa borders on.)
Natural conditions and resources
South Africa has the most powerful economic potential in and is the only African country that is among the developed countries. The Republic of South Africa was proclaimed in 1961.
Most of the country lies above 1000 m above sea level. The geological structure of the territory determined the wealth of South Africa in ore and the absence of deposits. The bowels of the country are extremely rich in manganese ores, chromites, platinum, diamonds, gold, coal, iron and.
The territory of South Africa is located in the subtropical and tropical zones. The climate is arid, but cooler than in the north of the mainland. Average annual temperatures - +20…+23 °С. The difference between the temperatures of the hottest and coldest seasons is only about 10 °C. Annual rainfall ranges from 100mm on the west coast to 2000mm on the slopes of the Drakensberg Mountains.
The territory of South Africa is crossed by several large rivers: Orange, Tugela. The largest river in South Africa is the Orange River, which is almost 2,000 km long. The most important industrial and agricultural regions of the country are located in its basin. Large hydraulic structures have been built on the river, including reservoirs and hydroelectric power stations. The Dragon Mountains are crossed by the Tugela River, on which the highest waterfall in Africa - Tugela (933 m) is located.
The soils are varied and mostly fertile: red-brown, black, gray-brown. A significant part of the territory in the center and in the east is occupied by savannahs. On the banks of the rivers preserved rainforests. In the south, subtropical forests and evergreen shrubs are common. The flora of the country has about 16 thousand species, savanna formations predominate. In the most humid areas - savannahs with palm trees and baobabs, in and Karoo - deserted savannah (dry-loving trees, shrubs and succulents (aloe, spurge, etc.). juicy grass is a good fodder for sheep.
In the Cape floristic region (district) there are more than 6 thousand plant species, most of which are endemic. The flower of the silver tree (protea) has become the national symbol of South Africa. Deserts and mountains, river valleys, a significant length of the ocean coast determine the diversity of the animal and flora SOUTH AFRICA. Most Diverse animal world v national parks, the most famous of them are Kruger, Kalahari-Gemsbok, in which all representatives of the animal world, including endemics, are concentrated. About 200 species of snakes are known in the country, more than 40 thousand species of insects, pockets of malarial mosquitoes and tsetse flies have been preserved.
South Africa is the most rich country Africa by reserves mineral resources. Climatic conditions allow growing cultivated plants all year round.
Population
The ethnic composition of the population of South Africa is very complex. About 80% of the country's citizens are black Africans who belong to various ethnic groups (Zulu, Xhosa, Suto, etc.). The population of European origin is less than 10%. The third largest population group in South Africa is mulattoes and mestizos. There is a significant population of Asian origin.
Population density 37 people/sq. km. The most densely populated areas are Cape Town and Durban. More than 35% of the population lives in cities. Since the end of the 90s. natural population growth due to morbidity has sharply decreased and since 2005 has a negative indicator.
According to the structure of employment of the population, South Africa is a post-industrial country (65% of the working population is employed in the service sector, more than 25% in industry).
The high level of economic development made it possible to solve many social issues and ethnic relations. Previously, most of the local population was subjected to oppression. The policy of apartheid existed in South Africa for 45 years. She preached racial oppression of the colored population, the creation of reservations for blacks, the prohibition of mixed marriages, etc. In 1994, the apartheid political regime was overthrown as a result of general elections and the whites' refusal from the monopoly on power. South Africa has been restored to the world community.
Cities
The capital is the city of Pretoria (more than 800 thousand people). The urban population is 64%. South Africa is dominated by small towns with a population of up to 10,000 people. In addition to Johannesburg (3.2 million people) and, the largest cities are port cities - Cape Town,.
Industry
The country's economy produces 2/3 of the continent's GDP. The country's economy is determined by its mining industry. About 52% of the country's exports come from mining products. The country ranks second in the world in diamond mining, and third in uranium ore mining. Almost all types of minerals have been found in South Africa, excluding oil. Coal mining is developed - in terms of the use of coal for South Africa, it ranks 3rd in the world.
The mining industry is closely related to the production of gold bars (25% of world production) and platinum. The main center of gold mining is Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa, the “economic capital” of the country. Several dozen gold mines operate here, and an urban agglomeration has formed (about 5 million people). The branch of specialization of the country is ferrous metallurgy. South African steel is the cheapest in the world. Non-ferrous metallurgy is represented by the production of most non-ferrous metals: from copper, antimony and chromium to rare earth metals.
The service sector is developing rapidly. The banking sector and trade received the greatest development. The service sector provides up to 62% of GDP.
Agriculture
In agriculture, the leading role is played by animal husbandry, primarily wool sheep breeding. Sheep wool and leather make up a significant part of the export. Cattle and goats are also bred. South Africa is the world's largest producer of angora goat mohair (South African mohair is considered the best in the world). They also breed ostriches.
For development Agriculture affected by drought, 1/3 of all land is affected. Cultivated land makes up about 12% of the territory. The main crops are corn, wheat, sorghum. South Africa provides itself with all basic food products, exports sugar, vegetables, fruits and berries, citrus fruits. Many lands are marginal and need constant fertilization.
Transport
The main inter-district mode of transport in South Africa is rail. Railways connect port cities with . The role of road transport is growing, which accounts for 80% of all transportation in the country. The most important seaports are Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, etc.
South Africa is the only highly developed country in Africa. South Africa is known in the world as the leader in gold mining - 25% of world production. The South African economy accounts for 2/3 of the continent's GDP.
Answer from Helga[guru]
The climate is tropical and subtropical.
Average January temperatures 18-27°C, July 7-10°C;
The seasons in South Africa are the opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer is from October to March and the temperature fluctuates on average between 15°C at night and 35°C at noon. Winter lasts from June to August with temperatures ranging from 0°C or even lower at night (Kalahari Desert, Drakensberg) to 20°C at noon. Spring (August - September) and autumn (April - May) are short.
Temperatures in South Africa decrease from east to west.
Under the influence of the cold Benguela current, following along the west coast, temperatures drop significantly. The average annual temperature in Port Nollot is 14°C, however, on the east coast, under the influence of the warm Indian Ocean, temperatures are high, and in Durban the average annual temperature is 22°C. On the other hand, the temperature difference between the northern and southern regions is small, as the altitudes increase north. The southern tip of the mainland (Cape Agulhas) and Johannesburg (located 1450 km to the north, but at an altitude of 1740 m above sea level) have an average annual temperature of approx. 16° C.
The central plateau is characterized by a sharply continental climate with pronounced contrasts of daily and annual temperatures. The summer is hot with blindingly bright sunlight and occasional severe thunderstorms. Kimberley, located at an altitude of 1220 m above sea level. m., in January has an average maximum temperature of 32 ° C, and an average minimum temperature of 17 ° C. On the other hand, in winter, the weather is pleasantly warm during the day (the average maximum temperature in July is 19 ° C) due to bright sunlight, but the nights are cold ( the minimum temperature in July is 2°C). Winters are very dry, with little to no rain in June, July and August.
Namaqualand is a very dry area: the amount of precipitation ranges from a maximum of 200 mm in the mountains of the interior to a minimum of less than 25 mm on the coast. On the coast, the weather is cool and temperatures are fairly constant. Outside the zone of influence of the coastal breeze, temperatures rise strongly in summer.
The Cape region has the same favorable climate as the Mediterranean coast of Europe and southern California. Rainy weather sets in in winter, and dry in summer. Precipitation occurs in May-September. On the coast, they usually fall as rain, but in the higher mountains (for example, on the Table Mountain near Cape Town) there are occasional snowfalls. Their number varies greatly depending on the nature of the relief. In Cape Town, the average annual rainfall reaches 630 mm, while some high mountains usually receive 2540 mm. Temperatures in Cape Town vary greatly throughout the year. In July (winter) the average minimum temperature is 9°C and the average maximum is 17°C; in January (summer) the average minimum temperature is 16°C, and the average maximum temperature is 27°C. Within the region, however, large temperature contrasts are observed, which depends on exposure to the moderating influence of the ocean; in the interior valleys, summers are hotter and winters colder than on the coast.
The Southern Coastal Region receives as much precipitation in winter as the Cape Region and in summer as much as the Southeast Coastal Region.
The Southeast Coastal Region receives most of its rainfall during the summer months, but no month is truly dry. In Durban, 1140 mm of liquid precipitation falls annually, with an average of 150 mm in March and only 40 mm in July. In summer there is very warm wet weather with an average maximum temperature of 28°C and an average minimum of 21°C in January. Winters are mild and pleasant with an average maximum temperature of 22°C and an average minimum of 13°C in July.
The Transvaal Low Weld receives a high amount of precipitation in summer, up to 2030 mm in some places. Winters are dry and sunny. High temperatures prevail throughout the year.
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