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Africa > Facts > South Africa
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| Background: | After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British encroachments, but were defeated in the Boer War (1899-1902). The resulting Union of South Africa operated under a policy of apartheid - the separate development of the races. The 1990s brought an end to apartheid politically and ushered in black majority rule. |
| Location: | Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa |
| Geographic coordinates: | 29 00 S, 24 00 E |
| Map references: | Africa |
| Area: | total: 1,219,912 sq km land: 1,219,912 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Prince Edward Islands (Marion Island and Prince Edward Island) |
| Area - comparative: | slightly less than twice the size of Texas |
| Population: | 44,344,136 (July 2005 est.) |
| Capital: | Pretoria |
Source: The CIA World Factbook
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