Backgrounder: South Africa

Source: CCTV.com | 02-07-2007 13:36

The Republic of South Africa is located on the southern tip of the African continent. And it's the only country with three capitals. Pretoria is its administrative capital. Cape Town is its legislative capital. And Johannesburg is its judicial capital.

Over 46-million people of diverse origins, cultures, languages and beliefs live in this vast land.

South Africa is a middle-income, emerging market with an abundant supply of natural resources. Among them, world famous gems and diamonds. It is also one of the world's largest producers of platinum, gold and chromium. And the country's stock exchange ranks among the 10 largest in the world.

South Africa has a dual agricultural economy. It has a bustling commercial sector, as well as a predominantly subsistence-orientated sector in the rural areas.