different languages in south africa

South Africa is a multilingual country. Besides the 11 officially recognised languages, scores of others - African, European, Asian and more - are spoken here, as the country lies at the crossroads of southern Africa.

The country's Constitution guarantees equal status to 11 official languages to cater for the country's diverse peoples and their cultures. These are: africaans, english, Isindebele, Isixhosa, Isizulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Siswati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga.

religion

78% of the population profess the Christian religion (68% Protestants and 10% Catholic).Hinduism is about 2% of the total, while Muslims and Jews represent 1.5 and 0.5% respectively.

FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010

South Africa is the country responsible for organizing the 2010 World Cup soccer, becoming the first World Cup on African soil in place. This news has been welcomed by South Africa with great joy and jubilation, both by their representatives (former President Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and President Thabo Mbeki, among others).

As throughout the South African people in general, as it is expected that, with ticket sales and the arrival of soccer fans, it generates revenues to help this country to increase its potential, both as a tourist destination, as investments.

The opening match of the 2010 World Cup was the 11th of June at 16:00 hours and faced the host South Africa to Mexico. The game was played in Johannesburg, one of the main venues for South Africa 2010 and will host many of the major parties that take place throughout the competition.

The draw for the Football World Cup 2010 South Africa left eight groups quite similar, where we find one or two strong teams in each of them. 2010 World Cup groups are:

GROUP A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay and France.

GROUP B: Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea and Greece.

GROUP C: England, United States, Algeria and Slovenia.

GROUP D: Germany, Australia, Serbia and Ghana.

GROUP E: Holland, Denmark, Japan and Cameroon.

GROUP F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia.

GROUP G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast and Portugal.

GROUP H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras and Chile.

As we can see, the host South Africa has not had much luck in the draw and has fallen squarely into one of the tightest groups in which France, which got its place in the last minute "due to the hand of Henry," it seems the clear favorite Mexico and Uruguay, where the home will fight for that second place, which leads to the second round.

If we have to highlight a group like the harder we would say that Group H is the Group of Death with Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast.

A priori, Brazil, Argentina and Spain are the favorites according to the bookmakers. Of course, we should not forget teams like England, Germany or Italy.

However, Brazil and Spain are already looking askance, as luck would have it both groups forming the intersection of Eighth, at the top of Group G will face second in Group H and vice versa. Chances are that this is the second-round match.

Flora

The native vegetation of South Africa varies from a region to another one following the precipitation index. In the Eastern Lowveld, where rain is of torrential character, are tropical forests in which a great amount of palms exists; throughout the southern coast of this region there are forests formed by species of hard wood trees like the cedar. In the Uplands Eastern, the ground supports to an ebullient growth of grass and isolate trees.

Most of the plateau is covered by formation grasses that in the High Veld resemble themselves prairies deprived of trees; nevertheless, the prairie of Veld Under is looked more like the savannah, with dispersed trees and shrubs. In the Average Veld, where the precipitations are little, the prairie is very poor; the vegetation consists of vast formation grasses characteristic of the desert that grow as a bushes and that only become green with rain. The Small Karroo is covered by weeds.

Fauna

You must know that, thanks to a policy of exemplary protection, in South Africa more species can be animal (900 species of birds) that in any other country of the continent. Five Great, that is to say, from Leon one, leopards, buffalos, rhinos and elephants, populate numerous South African natural reserves. Equally numerous species of gacelas exist.

A great amount of seals has chosen like address the length of the South African coasts.

Long ago captured and eaten by the men, the South African seals of skin settled down in the continent as of years 1930.

Scientifically speaking, he would be more correct to speak of marine lion. It has small ears and it can use his fins as mainland legs instead of to crawl by the ground, since the seals do. Several places exist where these can be found " seals with ears": In the coast Victory & Alfred of the Cabo, in Duiker, in Is Island… But the greatest colony is in Kleinsee, in an immense diamond mine property of Of Beers

They are counted near 500,000 in more than three kilometers! between the months of June and October the frank whales come to settle to South African waters.

Originating of the Antarctic, the mammals cross more than 8,000 km to arrive until there.

The small locality of Hermanus, located to about 120 km of Cape Town, is one of the best places to observe them

These great mammals can get to measure up to 16 meters in length. One is clear them thanks to his heads covered with callosities.

Important Stage

Stage ELLIS PARK

The stage is in center of Johannesburg. It was scene of the end of the Glass of the World of Rugby of 1995, when South Africa won to New Zealand and untied to a national celebration and a vital generational change in the history of the country. Between his new remodelings, it is possible to emphasize: the area for Means, clothes and exclusive sectors VIP.

NAME: Ellis Park Stadium

CAPACITY: 61.639 people

INAUGURATION: 1928

stages LOFTUS VERSFELD

He is one of the oldest stages of the country. It was baptized with the name of Robert Owen Loftus Versfeld,to whom attributes the restoration of the sport organized in the city of Pretoria.

It was used to lodge numerous sport events: World-wide of Rugby 1995, Glass Africa 1996 and

It wins Confederations 2009.

NAME: Loftus Versfeld

CAPACITY: 50,000 people

INAGURATION: 2008

stages NELSON MANDELA BAY

He is one of the scenes constructed especially for the World-wide Glass of FIFA 2010.

The Nelson Mandela (inspired by the name of the political leader and historical icon of the Country) has a unique ceiling, by its structure, and a spectacular view of the North lake End. The playground is of natural turf, but the area surrounds that it is of artificial turf.

NAME: port elizabeth

CAPACITY:48,000 people

INAGURATION: 2009

stages SOCCER CITY

The Cathedral of soccer in South Africa is considered. It is the greatest stage of the country.

It was reconstructed to new, and it will be scene of the inaugural party and the End. Its design

is inspired by the African branch “Calabash”, whose aesthetic it is appraised at night of wonderful form.

Soccer City is in one of the most fanatical areas of soccer in the region. Between his new remodelings,

it is possible to emphasize: the area for Means, clothes and exclusive

sectors VIP.

NAME: Soccer City

CAPACITY: 94,700 people

INAGURATION: 1989

stages PETER MOKABA

It was constructed next to the old stage, in Polokwane, province of Limpopo.

Named in honor to one of the children of the fight by the emancipation of South Africa

against the regime of the Apartheid, the stage has an historical importance for the country.

Peter Mokaba was born in Polokwane and was recognized during all their life by his spirit of

fight and leadership.

NAME: Peter Mokaba

CAPACITY: 45,264 people

INAUGURATION: 2010

The gastronomy

The gastronomy of South Africa has a variety of sources and states. The foreign uses introduced during the colonial time by descendants of afrikáners and British as

well as by their slaves and servientes; this includes the influences of the Malayan kitchen of

the originating people of Malaysia and Java

Typical plates

Sosaties: they are like kebab of meat and sharp sauce

Potjiekos: it is a stew with vegetables and meat.

Braai: roasted meat

Bbotie: with meat minced with sharp sauce and very seasoned.

Biltong: dry and salty meat.erewors: sausages with sharp sauce

Boerewors: sausages with sharp sauce

things that you have to know before travelling to South Africa

Vaccines and health:

There are two risky diseases that you have to pay attention and take care; these are bliharzia and malaria. These illnesses have been since a lot of time, and now the people get sick, but it’s a little less.

The bilharzia is a parasite that lives in marshy waters of South Africa. This insect

produces the diseases of bilharzias or schistosomiasis, and it’s considered an endemic disease. You can find it in the north or northwest of this country. Please try not to go swimming in those waters that will probably be polluted.

Malaria is another serious disease that spreads itself with some flies.

Today you can find it in some areas like in the extreme nor

thwest of Kwazulu, Limpopo, in the province of Mpumalanga and the northern area of Kruger Park. The precautions that you will have to take are simple. Use insects repellent in all your body and your

clothes; also try to overspread arms and legs. It is commercialized in pharmacies, there are also anti malaria

tablets that you will have to consume especially when you visit those areas affected with this illness. The risk of acquiring this disease is hig

her from October to May.

If you’re going to travel to South Africa, you have to vaccinate against yellow fever and have the certificate that must be done at least 10 days before (since the day you get vaccinated).

Another illness that you must to pay attention is cholera. Take the necessary cares, especially if you will go to the north area in the province of Mpumalanga.

Accessories and clothes that you may need

Knife, flashlight, binoculars (8x40 or 10x40), camera with telephoto lens (preferably 300 or 400 mm) and film (or memory card) / sufficient batteries, flies repellent, sunscreen and moisturizer, personal kit, vanity and shower shoes.

In case that you could go in a safari trip, it’s an important advice not to wear intense colored clothes, dress yourself with green, brown and light brown colors. If you can, try to take with you a raincoat, since it could rain.

Business Hours

Offices, banks and money exchange are opened between 8:30 am to 5 pm,

stopping an hour for lunch. State buildings, or municipal governmental are opened since 8 am to 4 pm.

The shops and big shopping malls are open from 8:30 to 05:30 pm. The schedule runs from Monday through Friday and Saturday since 8:30 to 1 pm. The tourist areas try to extend hours.

Visa

Fortunately, we are classified in the countries that doesn’t need visa to travel to South Africa, but the time that you have to stay there can’t be more than 90 days. Those are the prices of the different visas. Take into account that this could change.

• Transit visa: you must pay 60 US, and have valid passport and vaccination certificate if it’s necessary.
• Study visa: since 75 US
• Business visa: 200 US

Visas are granted at the moment that you arrive to the airport and its validity will depend on the time that you will stay in this country.

PS: some countries needs visa to get in and you have to transact it before you arrive to the airport.

Tips: aren’t included on the bills, in fact their law forbids it. But in general, you could give a 10% or 15% from the total.

Places to visit

1. ADDO Elephant National Park
Located in the Eastern Cape 70 km from Port Elizabeth.
Animal Park is a well known worldwide as one of the best parks in the world.
It was opened in 1931 and currently has about 450 elephants, 400 buffaloes and 50 rhinos, among other varieties of antelopes, hyenas and lions. It also houses a unique species of flora Circellium called Bacchus and over 200 species of birds.
The park was originally 1480 square kilometers, but a project was expanded to 3,600 square kilometers including other surrounding areas of marine reserves, bird sanctuaries and the Isle St. Croix an important habitat for penguins and birds.

2. Vineyard route
Scattered at the foot of the mountains are the most sought after vineyards and wineries in Africa, known worldwide for the quality of their products, with very picturesque places like Paarl, Franschoek and Stellenbosch, Worcester, Robertson and Montagu.
We offer the opportunity to visit them, know their history and while you sip your wine, enjoy a delicious meal.

3. Wilderness National Park
Located in the southern part of the province, between George and Knysna was declared "area of the lakes", is the forerunner of a new concept in National Parks, which includes people and their recreational activities, has an area of 50 km in the most splendid garden path, in addition to the lakes, contains the mouth of several rivers, lakes and swamps so the avifauna is particularly rich. The vegetation is no less spectacular, is impressively diverse and spring is a brilliant explosion of wildflowers.
There are several hotels in the area, and well-equipped chalets, a caravan park and a good variety of restaurants. The lakes are ideal for water sports and in the forest and along the coast there are beautiful walks, a paradise for lovers of birds.

4. Knysna
She is the Queen of the Garden Route, hugging the sea lying mirror immense lagoon, with their hair matted on the beautiful wild forests of the mountains forms; romantic, beautiful and full of life, offers a wide range of accommodation and entertainment such as restaurants, night clubs, music shows, museums and art galleries, forest walks, visits to nature reserve Federbed, boating on the lagoon and the sea, watching whales and birds of the sea, that blend with the forest, like the beautiful Knysna Lourie.

5. Nelson Mandela Bridge
The Nelson Mandela Bridge is the undisputed symbol of the city of Johannesburg, crossing the barrier meant urban rail lines cross 42 in the center of the city. It is the largest suspension bridge in South Africa and of course a tribute to the person who consolidated the process of social openness and the end of apartheid in the country. The bridge, a few years after its inauguration, became the new landmark of the province of Gauteng, being also a communications link that drives the development of sagging downtown.

The most important cities

South Africa is divided into nine provinces and these form 52 districts in total. Many of these cities have large tourist and natural attractions, beaches, leisure activities, excursions, safaris, and nightlife.

1. CAPE TOWN (WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE)
It is the legislative capital of South Africa. This beautiful city, combines natural beauty, beaches and a bustling city life with plenty of history and culture to tell.
It is the second most populated city in South Africa with nearly 3 ½ million inhabitants in an area of 2,500 square kilometers.

2. JOHANNESBURG (GAUTENG PROVINCE)
Johannesburg is one of the biggest cities in the world with an area of 1650 square kilometers and nearly 7 million inhabitants together with its metropolitan area.
Johannesburg's main economic activities of production are gold and diamonds, since it is located in the hills Witwatersrand with valuable mineral deposits.
The downtown area is modern, has tall skyscrapers and streets crowded with vehicles and people.

3. PRETORIA (GAUTENG PROVINCE)
Pretoria is known for being the administrative capital of South Africa and is located in the north of the province of Gauteng.
It is known as the jacaranda city, as this kind of tree decorates its streets and sidewalks, especially in spring where they display their purple flowers.

4. DURBAN (KWAZULU-NATAL)
It is a city located on the coast; it is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean.
It is a very important tourist center and port city in particular is where hundreds of cruise ships arrive annually.
Covering an area of 2292 square kilometers, Durban has a total population of 3.5 million inhabitants and is the third largest in South Africa.

5. KIMBERLEY (NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE)
Kimberley is the capital of the Northern Cape Province and throughout its history it has been dedicated to the production of diamonds.
In the city there are about 210,000 people compound by whites and half blood.
It has a small airport that is located just 7 miles from the Kimberley center.

6. JEFFREYS BAY (EASTERN CAPE)
On the coasts of J-Bay waters join the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, forming optimal conditions for water sports especially surfing. You can also practice scuba diving, swimming, snorkeling, boating, fishing, canoeing, among others.
And for the whole family can make boating, golfing, horseback riding on the beach, mountain biking, visit the aquarium, etc.

7. BLOEMFONTEIN (FREE STATE)
Popularly known as the "City of Roses", is a city with cultural attractions, history and architecture.
It is the home court of the country and Afrikaans its name meaning is "Flower Power", in Sesotho language means "Place Where cheetahs."

Mundial History

The World Cup is the international tournament in men's soccer national team at the world's largest. Its official name now is the FIFA World Cup in honor of the institution that organizes the event, though it receives the simpler names World Cup or World Cup, not including the name of sport. This sporting event is held every four years since 1930, with the exception of the years 1942 and 1946, which was suspended due to World War II. It has two main steps: a process involving qualifying now nearly 200 national teams and a final phase takes place every four years in a defined headquarters involving 32 teams during a period close to a month. The NCAA Tournament is the one sporting event in the world discipline (the final of the FIFA World Cup 2002 was watched by over 1,100 million people). The FIFA World Cup has been held 18 times, in which seven countries have lifted the cup: Brazil is the most successful team with five victories, Italy, the current champion, followed with four trophies, while Germany has three, Uruguay and Argentina have won twice, while England and France have called a one-time champions. Beginning The first international meeting of this sport goes back to the match played between England and Scotland on 30 November 1872. Football debuted as a demonstration sport at the 1900 Olympics, experience repeated in 1904 and 1906 Intercalated Games in Athens. On May 21, 1904 was founded the International Federation of Football Association to organize the development of sport. Among his original ideas arose the possibility of an international tournament in 1906 in Switzerland, but eventually the bill failed. However, the idea would remain and would live when London hosted the Fourth Olympiad in 1908 and declared the football as an official Olympic sport. In charge of the Football Association (not affiliated to FIFA yet, but with whom he maintained a close relationship), the first tournament would be won by the United Kingdom, followed by Denmark and the Netherlands. After the First World War would take place the first intercontinental tournament in the 1920 Summer Olympics, which involved 13 European teams selected next to Egypt. During the performance of the Olympics, FIFA organized a conference where it was finally decided the implementation of a tournament-class professional football in 1930. Immediately several European countries submitted their applications (Italy, Hungary, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden) together with that of Uruguay. Jules Rimet, the FIFA president during those years, was in favor of the realization in the South American country, both for its sporting successes and the fact that the country will celebrate the centenary of the Constitution Day. Besides, he thought to take place outside of Europe could serve as a way to help the peace process after the devastating Great War that devastated the continent.