South Africa is the southernmost state on the African continent. Its coast is washed by 2 oceans, in the territory there are numerous deposits of gold, and the number of climatic zones is 2 dozen. There is something to see, you just need to know where to move and how to make your trip correctly.
If you decide to go to South Africa, interesting facts about the country, its customs and attractions will be an important help in organizing the itinerary.
National cuisine
- In South Africa, the most delicious edible fish with the ridiculous name King clip is found.
- Africans are very fond of meat. They use it in all kinds - dried, dried, fried, boiled 3 times a day - for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- In South Africa, dry meat is called biltong. It has an exquisite taste.
- For those who like thrills, the South African cuisine has prepared real surprises - fried crocodile tail, stewed Oryx antelope and fox hide, as well as seafood dishes - shark fin soup, sea urchin caviar, smoked halibut with herbs.
- Also, among the real exotics, it is worth noting fried caterpillars (mopane worms), fried termites (tshuku), ruddy larvae of the scarab beetle (the name of this dish is more than poetic - Xi Fu Fu Nu Nu).
- In South Africa, a local moonshine is called mumpur, only none of the aborigines use it, its strength is 75 °!
- In South Africa, tap water flows from the tap. Although drinking it is not recommended to white visitors, it is on the third place in terms of cleanliness, it can wash vegetables / fruits and immediately consume them for food.
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Where to stay?
In South Africa, there are many hotels of different price categories. And this is not surprising. Despite the complex situation with security (now here rusism reigns vice versa), the country is of great interest to tourists who take the opportunity to visit here.
Interesting fact: in the country there are hotels of 3 - 5 stars. Service in all - excellent. However, you should not leave valuables and money outside the safe.
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In addition to hotels you can stay in cheaper places:
- campings (national parks);
- hotels on wheels;
- hostels;
- campers (for fans of safari);
- guesthouses (family hotels);
- bungalows and loggias (on the coast or in nature reserves).
Rules of conduct of a tourist in South Africa
The prolonged oppression of blacks by whites (especially the Dutch), and then the open apartheid of the local population led to quite expected consequences. After the abolition of apartheid and the restoration of the power of blacks, the pendulum of the scales swung in the opposite direction. Now white can not walk around the city when and where you want, otherwise a dangerous situation can not be avoided.
An interesting fact: black people in South Africa can safely move both in the ghetto and in the white areas where they work. At the same time, White needs a number of precautions to keep his property intact and survive by himself:
- after 18 hours stay on the street is prohibited;
- Do not put on jewelry, do not provoke a local population that is 90% poor;
- Avoid any gambling except in casinos;
- do not get the jewels from your hands;
- keep all things to yourself;
- Taxi order only by phone, use the services of trusted companies;
- do not use any kind of public transport;
- go on guided tours only with a guide or have a map of the area with you;
- In the event of a conflict, do not engage in squabbles and do not go on the offensive;
- hide all valuable things and money in the safe, if you leave your hotel room, always close the door of the room with a key;
- first study the route of your walk, only then go out into the street;
- If you are advised by guides or hotel employees, do not neglect them;
- If there is a crime, immediately report it to the police.
In addition to the diversity of national parks and reserves, museums and other man-made attractions, there are many interesting, iconic places in South Africa where an inquisitive traveler is simply necessary.
Interesting facts about the geography of South Africa
The country's area is 1221,000 square kilometers. It is washed by 2 oceans, Indian and Atlantic. South Africa is the richest country in terms of the number of such minerals as gold, diamonds, uranium. Coal here lies very close to the surface, so mines are not required for its extraction. The cost of coal for local is very low.
The Black River is nothing particularly unremarkable, if in the early 80s of the last century it was not built a bridge. This unique arched structure serves as a place for practicing banj-jumping. The total height of the bridge is 272 meters, but only 216 are used for jumping. In fact, in a free flight a person spends 160 meters, then the elastic brakes it and throws it back.
In South Africa is the most southern point of the continent - the Agulhas Cape, where the two oceans that are washing the country come together. The immediate place of the fusion is symbolized by a massive stone. The tourists are taken on it to be photographed. On the headland there is a lighthouse, which still indicates to the sailors a safe passage past the Needle Bar.
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In South Africa , there are more than 100,000 plant species, 5,000 of which are endemic. In Cape Town there is the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden , demonstrating in all its splendor the diversity of the local flora.
In South Africa is one of the largest (third largest) canyons. It surrounds the river Blyde . Its depth is almost one and a half kilometers (1400 meters), and the length is 26 kilometers. Here you can see two interesting for any traveler education. One is called the Dragon's Tooth and is a lonely standing rock, the other is the Window of God . It is a small hill on the edge of the Dragon Mountains . When the weather is particularly good, it offers an incredible view of the plain, and visibility can be up to 120 kilometers.
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Flora and fauna - interesting facts
The diversity of the flora and fauna of South Africa can not but surprise.
An interesting fact: here live the 3 fastest animals of the planet (there are 5 of them) - cheetah, wildebeest and lion. The speed of each of them is respectively 101, 90 and 80 km / h.
In South Africa, a huge number of beaches. Each of them is good in its own way, but one stands out. Here there are spectacle penguins. They are listed in the International Red Book and carefully guarded. Holidaymakers on the beach of Boulders Beach are not allowed to touch the birds, however, you can swim with them in the ocean if you are not afraid to freeze. All those approaching the beach are met by a sign on the car - "Check if there is a penguin under your car!" Birds are very sociable and are happy to steal personal things from tourists.
Interesting fact: Table mountain (national park) has more than one and a half thousand plants. To understand how much this is, imagine modern Britain. On its territory grows about the same species of flora.
The homeland of the baobab - plants with the longest life (more than 5 thousand years) - South Africa. For such a long time, the stem of the plant reaches a diameter of 25 meters. In the trunk of such a giant you can make ... a pub. An interesting fact: the baobab, in which the pub has been operating for more than 20 years, is more than 6 thousand years old, the circumference of its trunk is 47 meters, and the height is 22 meters. The tree continues to grow and every spring pleases its owners and guests with abundant flowering.
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On the territory of South Africa is one of the most dangerous beaches in the world. It's called Fish Hoek beach. In addition to whales, which can be seen here, its waters were chosen by white sharks. Therefore, you should bathe here very carefully.