South Africa has a population of 44 million, and a land area of 500,000 square miles. South Africa has a few of the oldest archeological sites in Africa. Many fossils can be found at the Sterkfontein, Kromdraai and Makapansgat caves and indicate that various australopithecines existed in South Africa about three million years ago. They were followed by several species of Homo, such as Homo habilis, Homo erectus and modern man, Homo sapiens.
The presence of natural minerals like diamonds and gold generated economic growth and immigration.
The interior of South Africa is a large mountain area and plateau, which is dry in the north-west along the Kalahari desert. The eastern coastline is lush and rainy, which makes a tropical climate. The southern coast (the Garden Route) has a climate similar to the Mediterranean. This area produces the majority of South Africa's wine.
South Africa has more than 20,000 plant species, which represents about 10% of all the plant species. The major area is the Fynbos Biome, a floral kingdom, is situated near the Western Cape. Almost all plants there are evergreen with fine leaves, such as the sclerophyllous. Another plant specific to South Africa is the protea. There are 130 different species of proteas in South Africa.
Kruger National Park is the most famous national park in South Africa. Others are: Addo Elephant National Park, Tsitsikamma National Park, Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park, Pilanesberg National Park and Kgalagadi Transfontier Park.
Other must-see include Cape Town (Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope), Cape Winelands around Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek, The Garden Route, Durban (Indian market, beaches), The Drakensberg mountain range, the semi-desert Karoo and the famous ostrich farms near Oudtshoorn, as well as the Big Hole in the diamond city of Kimberley.
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