Geography of South Africa
Location
Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa.
Geographic Coordinates
29 00 S, 24 00 E
Geographical Area
Land
1,219,912 Sq Km.
Water
Unknown
Land Boundary
4,862 Km.
Border Countries
Botswana
1,840 Km.
Lesotho
909 Km.
Mozambique
491 Km.
Namibia
967 Km.
Swaziland
430 Km.
Zimbabwe
225 Km.
Length of Coastline
2,798 Km.
Terrain
Vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain.
Elevation Extremes
Lowest Point
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Highest Point
Njesuthi 3,408m
Natural Resources
Gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas.
Land Use
Arable Land
12%
Permanent Crops
1%
Other
87%
Irrigated Land
14,980 Sq Km.
Natural Hazards
Prolonged droughts
Environmental Issues
Lack of important arterial rivers or lakes requires extensive water conservation and control measures; growth in water usage outpacing supply; pollution of rivers from agricultural runoff and urban discharge; air pollution resulting in acid rain; soil erosion; desertification.
