Credit: go2africa.com
SOUTH AFRICA – THE COUNTRY THAT OFFERS THE TRAVELLER NEARLY EVERYTHING!
Whether planning a holiday, called by the urge to travel or just plain curious, our account of South Africa, divided into three parts, explores what to expect in the way of sites and activities while revealing more about the people of the land and its unique ambiance.
South Africa lies in the southernmost country on the African continent, an area of around 472,000 square miles (approx. 1,223,000 square kilometers). A country celebrated for its varied topography, great natural beauty, 'The Big Five' and ethnic multiplicity have made it a favourite destination for travellers.
Magnificent, vast, bold, and land blessed 'shes' the only nation-state named after its geographic location.
Its roots run deep. To be in this land is to be part of humanity's history, a story that goes way back to the start of humanity around 3,000 years or more. The prehistory and history of South Africa span nearly the totality, existence of humanoids and their ancestors.
Providing insight into early cultures, South Africa is notorious for many of Africa's most splendid and richest archaeological excavation discoveries.
Most countries only have one capital, but South African 'stands out from the crowd.' It is the only country in the world that has three cities that perform as capitals. Pretoria serves as an executive, Cape Town as legislative and Johannesburg, the centre of commerce, is the largest metropolitan area in the country and lies at the heart of the people who live in the country.
A highland covers the largest part of the country, dominating the topography - the Great Escarpment, known as uKhahlamba – 'Barrier of Spears'.divides surrounding areas of generally lower elevation. The Great Escarpment (part of the Drakensberg Park) forms the most extended continuous topographic feature in South Africa. It provides scenery of incredible beauty and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage in 2000.
An area of ancient folded mountains with elevations between 3,000 and 7,600 feet (900 and 2,300 metres) lies in the southwest. The ranges include the Tsitsikamma, Outeniqua, Groot-Swart, Lange, Ceder, Drakenstein, Hottentots Holland mountains, and Table Mountain at Cape Town. One of the oldest mountains globally, Table Mountain is one of the planet's 12 chief power centres, emitting magnetic and electric - spiritual force.
In the Western Cape, The Karoo region is home to some of the best early fossils of dinosaurs. Some eight percent of the mammalian fossils found to date come from the Karoo.
Remarkable Florae: Around 20,000 species of flowering flora wait to delight, astonish and dazzle the nature lover with their astonishing array of colour, shape and size.
A rich and varied mammal life: Holidaymakers can expect to be welcomed by a gobsmacking range of animals of around 2000 species. Look out for, Lions, Elephants Rhinoceroses, Hippopotamuses, Baboons, and Leopards. Slightly smaller yet intriguing creatures include the Zebra and a wide variety of swift running Gazelles (Antelopes). Birds, Reptiles, and Insects: For those of us who are bird watchers, there over 800 species of birds, such as the Black Eagle, Hairless Ibis and Bearded Scavenger (Vulture). Unfortunately, for many of us not quite so loved, and perhaps more dangerous of the animal kingdom, South Africa has over 100 varieties of snakes, of which one-fourth are poisonous. Perhaps less attractive to us adults but bound to capture the attention of the little ones, if travelling with the family, is South Africa's abundant and diverse population of titillating insects (such as the Red Veined Dropwing Dragonfly and Elegant grasshopper (Zonocerus).
South Africa's striking oceans: teem with life and are home to the great white shark, African penguins, dolphins, hosts to annual whale migrations and much, much more.
Elegant Grasshopper (Zonocerus). Credit Pinterest. Photo by Mario Oreno fivehundredpx
Preview, coming next, join me on my second excursion ‘up close and personal’ -The People and the Culture of ‘The Rainbow Nation.’
Map South Africa. Credit: thinglink.com
THE RAINBOW NATION
Most countries only have one capital, but South African 'stands out from the crowd.' It is the only country in the world that has three cities that perform as capitals. Pretoria serves as an executive, Cape Town as legislative and Johannesburg, the centre of commerce, is the largest metropolitan area in the country and lies at the heart of the people who live in the country.
Majestic Landscape
A highland covers the largest part of the country, dominating the topography - the Great Escarpment, known as uKhahlamba – 'Barrier of Spears'.divides surrounding areas of generally lower elevation. The Great Escarpment (part of the Drakensberg Park) forms the most extended continuous topographic feature in South Africa. It provides scenery of incredible beauty and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage in 2000.
An area of ancient folded mountains with elevations between 3,000 and 7,600 feet (900 and 2,300 metres) lies in the southwest. The ranges include the Tsitsikamma, Outeniqua, Groot-Swart, Lange, Ceder, Drakenstein, Hottentots Holland mountains, and Table Mountain at Cape Town. One of the oldest mountains globally, Table Mountain is one of the planet's 12 chief power centres, emitting magnetic and electric - spiritual force.
Fossils of early dinosaurs
In the Western Cape, The Karoo region is home to some of the best early fossils of dinosaurs. Some eight percent of the mammalian fossils found to date come from the Karoo.
A wildlife wonderland oasis
Aloe plants, in the De Rust, Cape Region. Credit: Pinterest. audleyblog.com
Remarkable Florae: Around 20,000 species of flowering flora wait to delight, astonish and dazzle the nature lover with their astonishing array of colour, shape and size.
A hippopotamus - Kruger National Park, South Africa - part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, an international conservation area jointly managed by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. Credit: Digital Vision/Getty Images
A rich and varied mammal life: Holidaymakers can expect to be welcomed by a gobsmacking range of animals of around 2000 species. Look out for, Lions, Elephants Rhinoceroses, Hippopotamuses, Baboons, and Leopards. Slightly smaller yet intriguing creatures include the Zebra and a wide variety of swift running Gazelles (Antelopes). Birds, Reptiles, and Insects: For those of us who are bird watchers, there over 800 species of birds, such as the Black Eagle, Hairless Ibis and Bearded Scavenger (Vulture). Unfortunately, for many of us not quite so loved, and perhaps more dangerous of the animal kingdom, South Africa has over 100 varieties of snakes, of which one-fourth are poisonous. Perhaps less attractive to us adults but bound to capture the attention of the little ones, if travelling with the family, is South Africa's abundant and diverse population of titillating insects (such as the Red Veined Dropwing Dragonfly and Elegant grasshopper (Zonocerus).
South Africa's striking oceans: teem with life and are home to the great white shark, African penguins, dolphins, hosts to annual whale migrations and much, much more.
Preview, coming next, join me on my second excursion ‘up close and personal’ -The People and the Culture of ‘The Rainbow Nation.’
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