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South Africa |
South Africa has the largest economy on the continent and probably the best infrastructure in sub Saharan Africa. It suffers the legacy of colonialism and apartheid, but looks forwards as as democratic, non racist and non sexist South Africa. It has high unemployment, poverty and gross inequality.
Its dominant political party, the African National Congress, is the oldest liberation movement in Africa and will celebrate its centenary in 2012. South Africa hosted the World Cup in 2010, the first African nation to do so.
The Facts
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Capitals: Tshwane [Pretoria] (executive capital); Cape Town (legislative capital)
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Major religion: Christianity
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Main Languages: 11 official languages including English, Afrikaans, Sesotho, Xhosa and Zulu
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Key exports: gold, diamonds, metals, minerals, machinery
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Government: African National Congress
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President: Jacob Zuma
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Most recent National Assembly elections: 2009
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Next scheduled National Assembly elections: 2014
The Figures
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HIV prevalence: 18.1% aged 15-49 (UK: 0.2%)
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Adult literacy rate: 88% aged 15 and older (UK: >99%)
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GDP per capita: US$10,140 (UK: US$34,340)
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Life expectancy at birth: 52 years (UK: 80 years)
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Under-five mortality rate: 67 per 1,000 live births (UK: 6 per 1,000 live births)
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2010 Human Development Index Ranking (out of 169 countries): 110
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