South AfricaSouth Africa South Africa is located at the southernmost South Africa is located at the southernmost tip of the African continent (22° - 34° south, tip of the African continent (22° - 34° south,

16° - 32° east), and borders Namibia, 16° - 32° east), and borders Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

South Africa was governed by Holland from South Africa was governed by Holland from 1672 to 1810, and then as two British 1672 to 1810, and then as two British

colonies plus several independent republics colonies plus several independent republics until 1901. It then became a self-governing until 1901. It then became a self-governing member of the British Commonwealth 1910 member of the British Commonwealth 1910

to 1961, and finally in 1961 South Africa to 1961, and finally in 1961 South Africa became an independent republic.became an independent republic.

During the first 300 years governance was During the first 300 years governance was dominated by the white minority. Since dominated by the white minority. Since 1994 South Africa has been a democracy 1994 South Africa has been a democracy with a non-racial franchise. Furthermore, with a non-racial franchise. Furthermore, South Africans have the right to an South Africans have the right to an environment which is not harmful to their environment which is not harmful to their health or well-being, and have the right to health or well-being, and have the right to have the environment protected for present have the environment protected for present and future generations (The Constitution of and future generations (The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996). This is confirmation of the 1996). This is confirmation of the government's commitment to the government's commitment to the environment, and sustainable use of environment, and sustainable use of natural resources, and sets the scene for natural resources, and sets the scene for this report.this report.

The country is divided into nine provinces and 367 The country is divided into nine provinces and 367 magisterial districts. The government is represented by magisterial districts. The government is represented by National Departments, Provincial Departments, and National Departments, Provincial Departments, and Local Government at the district level. Environmental Local Government at the district level. Environmental issues are the responsibility of the government at each issues are the responsibility of the government at each of these levels.of these levels.

South Africa's population was estimated to be 40.6 South Africa's population was estimated to be 40.6 million in the 1996 census, with roughly 50% living in million in the 1996 census, with roughly 50% living in urban areas, and 50% in rural areas. The population urban areas, and 50% in rural areas. The population growth rate is 1.9%, and although this has been growth rate is 1.9%, and although this has been declining steadily over the last few years, the total declining steadily over the last few years, the total population will continue to increase. The government's population will continue to increase. The government's Reconstruction and Development Programme aims for Reconstruction and Development Programme aims for 2.1% fertility by 2010, 1.9% population growth, and 2.1% fertility by 2010, 1.9% population growth, and stabilisation of the population at 80 million by 2100.stabilisation of the population at 80 million by 2100.

Due to the diversity of cultures amongst the people of Due to the diversity of cultures amongst the people of South Africa, there are 11 official languages. Xhosa is South Africa, there are 11 official languages. Xhosa is the most widely spoken as a home language, although the most widely spoken as a home language, although the most commonly accepted business language is the most commonly accepted business language is English.English.

The economy was originally built on natural The economy was originally built on natural resources, with mining and agriculture the resources, with mining and agriculture the mainstays of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). mainstays of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Recently, however, there has been a shift from Recently, however, there has been a shift from production towards manufacturing, with the production towards manufacturing, with the secondary sector currently contributing secondary sector currently contributing approximately 33% to GDP (compared to approximately 33% to GDP (compared to approximately 14% from the primary sector, approximately 14% from the primary sector, and 53% from the tertiary sector).and 53% from the tertiary sector).

The currency of South Africa is the Rand (R6.10 The currency of South Africa is the Rand (R6.10 = US $1, as at September 1999). The economy = US $1, as at September 1999). The economy has grown steadily since 1992, although the has grown steadily since 1992, although the rate has slowed. The government's target was rate has slowed. The government's target was 3% p.a. for the period 1994-1996. Inflation is 3% p.a. for the period 1994-1996. Inflation is approximately 6%, and just under half the approximately 6%, and just under half the population are living below the poverty line. population are living below the poverty line.

The climate in South Africa is typically warm The climate in South Africa is typically warm and dry, with winter temperatures rarely and dry, with winter temperatures rarely falling below 0°C, and summer maxima falling below 0°C, and summer maxima frequently above 35°C. The average annual frequently above 35°C. The average annual rainfall is approximately 500mm (considerably rainfall is approximately 500mm (considerably less than the world average of 860mm). Most less than the world average of 860mm). Most of the central and eastern parts of the country of the central and eastern parts of the country enjoy summer rainfall, whilst the western side enjoy summer rainfall, whilst the western side of the country is the winter rainfall region. of the country is the winter rainfall region. South Africa's diversity and richness of South Africa's diversity and richness of mineral deposits (including coal, iron, copper, mineral deposits (including coal, iron, copper, gold, platinum) were the catylist for European gold, platinum) were the catylist for European colonisation, and economic development. colonisation, and economic development. Although these are distributed across the Although these are distributed across the country, the most economically important country, the most economically important deposits (gold, coal and platinum) are found deposits (gold, coal and platinum) are found in gauteng Province, which is now the most in gauteng Province, which is now the most populous, and affluent area.populous, and affluent area.

Soils are generally thin, and moderately Soils are generally thin, and moderately fertile. This has contributed to fertile. This has contributed to agricultural development, although some agricultural development, although some areas are marginal, and suffering from areas are marginal, and suffering from degradation and soil erosion. South degradation and soil erosion. South Africa is ranked third in the world in Africa is ranked third in the world in terms of biological diversity. The country terms of biological diversity. The country encompasses a range of vegetation types, encompasses a range of vegetation types, from arid shrubland and semi desert, from arid shrubland and semi desert, through savanna and woodland to coastal through savanna and woodland to coastal forest and alpine forest. These 68 forest and alpine forest. These 68 vegetation types are classified into 7 vegetation types are classified into 7 biomes, as shown. biomes, as shown.

Two internationally recognised biodiversity Two internationally recognised biodiversity "hot-spots" are located in South Africa, the "hot-spots" are located in South Africa, the Cape Floristic Kingdom (an entire floral Cape Floristic Kingdom (an entire floral kingdom found nowhere else) and the kingdom found nowhere else) and the Succulent Karoo, the only arid land hot-spot Succulent Karoo, the only arid land hot-spot in the world. The Cape Floral Kingdom in the world. The Cape Floral Kingdom covers only 4% of the area of southern covers only 4% of the area of southern Africa, but is home to 45% of the sub-Africa, but is home to 45% of the sub-continent's plant species (Cowling & Hilton-continent's plant species (Cowling & Hilton-Taylor 1994). The South African coast also Taylor 1994). The South African coast also has a large number (over 10,000) of species has a large number (over 10,000) of species of plants and animals. This is almost 15 % of plants and animals. This is almost 15 % of global coastal species, and 12 % of these of global coastal species, and 12 % of these are endemic, that is they occure nowhere are endemic, that is they occure nowhere else (DEA&T 1997).else (DEA&T 1997).

South Africa is home to an estimated

5,8% of the global total of mammal

species, 8 % of bird species, 4.6% of

reptile species, 16% of marine fish

species and 5.5% of the world's known

insect species (DEA&T 1997). In terms

of the number of endemic species of

mammals, birds, reptiles and

amphibians, South Africa ranks as the

5th richest country in Africa and the

24th richest in the world (DEA&T

1997). However, many of these species

are threatened.