South Africa is a middle-income, emerging market nation. It has an abundant supply of natural resources, in addition to well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy and transport sectors. Its stock exchange – the JSE –  is Africa’s largest and among the top 20 in the world.

Name Republic of South Africa

Capital Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial), Cape Town (legislative)

Frequency of elections Every five years

Name of parliament Parliament of the Republic of South Africa

Parliament website www.parliament.gov.za

Languages isiZulu, isiXhosa, Afrikaans, Sepedi, English, Setswana, Sesotho, Xitsonga, isiNdebele, Tshivenda, siSwati

Area 1 219 090 km²

Population 52 981 991 (July 2014 est)

Imports Machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum products, scientific instruments, foodstuffs

Exports Gold, diamonds, platinum, other metals and minerals, machinery and equipment

Currency Rand

Source: CIA World Fact Book
Image: Alamy