South Africa is a fascinating country to say the least. We find the humour in everything, have 11 official languages – 12 if you include our very own swear code – and so many cultures you can’t but fall in love with the people and the places.
Even as a South African, you might not know these interesting facts about our magnificent country.
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1. Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town is the only place in the world where you can swim with African penguins.
2. There are more flower species found on Table Mountain’s 1400sqm than in the British Isles.
3. Blyde River Canyon is the largest ‘green canyon’ with the deepest precipitous cliffs of any canyon in the entire world.
4. Rooibos can only be found in the Cederberg in the Western Cape. Despite numerous efforts to plant it globally, it only grows in this region.
5. South Africa is home to the Kori Bustard – the world’s heaviest flying bird. The male can weigh 19kg and boasts a wingspan of up to 75cm.
6. South Africa is the world’s largest producer of macadamia nuts even though they are indigenous to Australia.
7. South Africa has a large energy sector, two-thirds of all of Africa’s electricity is generated in our country.
8. South Africa’s extensive rail network is the 14th longest in the world. The rail infrastructure, which connects the ports with the rest of South Africa, represents about 80% of Africa’s total.
9. The world’s largest and oldest ultramarathon race is the Comrades Marathon hosted right here in SA.
10. Route 62 in Cape Town is considered one of the best road trips in the world – and it is also the longest wine route in the world.
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