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The Republic of South Africa is a country located at thesouthern tip of Africa. The South African coast stretches 2,798 kilometers(1,739 mi) and borders both the Atlantic and Indian oceans. To the northof South Africa lie Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland,while the Kingdom of Lesotho is an independent enclave surrounded by SouthAfrican territory.

South Africa is known for its diversity, and eleven officiallanguages are recognized in its constitution. English is the most commonlyspoken language in official and commercial public life; however it is only thefifth most spoken home language. South Africa is ethnically diverse, with thelargest Caucasian, Indian, and racially mixed communities in Africa. Although79.6% of the South African population is Black, this category is neitherculturally nor linguistically homogenous, as they speak a number of differentBantu languages, nine of which have official status. Midyear 2007, the SouthAfrican human population was estimated at 47.9 million.

South Africa has a generally temperate climate. The climaticzones vary, from the extreme desert of the southern Namib in the farthestnorthwest to the lush subtropical climate in the east along the Mozambiqueborder and the Indian Ocean. From the east, the land quickly rises over amountainous escarpment towards the interior plateau known as the Highveld. Eventhough South Africa is classified as semi-arid, there is considerable variationin climate as well as topography. South Africa is one of only 17 countriesworldwide considered Megadiverse. It has more than 20,000 different plants, orabout 10% of all the known species of plants on Earth, making it particularlyrich in plant biodiversity. South Africa is the third most biodiverse countryin the world, after Brazil and Indonesia and has greater biodiversity than anycountry of equal or smaller size.

Refugees from poorer neighboring countries include manyimmigrants from the DRC, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and others, representinga large portion of the informal sector. With high unemployment levels amongstpoorer South Africans, xenophobia is prevalent and many people born in SouthAfrica feel resentful of immigrants who are seen to be depriving the nativepopulation of jobs, a feeling which has been given credibility by the fact thatmany South African employers have employed migrants from other countries forlower pay than South African citizens, especially in the construction, tourism,agriculture and domestic service industries. Illegal immigrants are alsoheavily involved in informal trading. However, many immigrants to South Africacontinue to live in poor conditions, and the South African immigration policyhas become increasingly restrictive since 1994.

Advanced development is significantly localized around fourareas: Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, and Pretoria/Johannesburg. Beyondthese four economic centers, development is marginal and poverty is stillprevalent despite government efforts. Consequently the vast majority of SouthAfricans are poor. South Africa is also the largest energy producer andconsumer on the continent.  SouthAfrica boasts a first-world property registration system that is guaranteed andsecure; conducting property surveys is unusual. For peace of mind, one mayfreely access records of the property interest at the office of the Registrarof Deeds. Foreigners can own and register a mortgage on immovable property inSouth Africa without restrictions. As a second home, holiday or retirementdestination, the country is an attractive proposition.