Geography of South Africa

Overview

South Africa, located at the southernmost tip of the African continent, lies between longitudes 17°E and 33°E and latitudes 22°S and 35°S. It shares borders with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Eswatini, with the landlocked Kingdom of Lesotho in the southeast.

Great Escarpment
Forms a cliff-like boundary with the interior plateau
Coastline
2,798 km along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans
Velds
Vast grasslands covering the central plateau
Kalahari Desert
Spanning the northern Cape
Drakensberg Mountains
Bounding the velds in the east and south
Map of South Africa
Biodiversity Hotspot

South Africa is one of only 17 megadiverse countries in the world, home to a wealth of plant and animal species. The country's unique geography, from its interior plateau to its coastal areas, contributes significantly to its rich biodiversity.

Did You Know?
  • Table Mountain in Cape Town is one of the oldest mountains in the world
  • The Blyde River Canyon is the third largest canyon in the world
  • South Africa has three capital cities: Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), and Bloemfontein (judicial)