Country

South Africa

Also Known As Republic of South Africa

Southern Africa

South Africa occupies the southern tip of the African continent, bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Eswatini, and entirely surrounding the enclaved kingdom of Lesotho, with coastlines on both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meeting near the Cape of Good Hope. The four British colonies of the Cape, Natal, Transvaal and the Orange Free State were joined as the self-governing Union of South Africa in 1910; full sovereign equality with Britain followed under the 1931 Statute of Westminster, a republic was declared in 1961, and the country first held fully democratic, non-racial elections in 1994, ending the apartheid system of racial segregation. Uniquely among the countries in this atlas, it has three capital cities, one for each branch of national government.

Facts

Capital

Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative) and Bloemfontein (judicial) 2

A deliberate three-way split among the executive, legislative and judicial branches, dating to the 1910 Act of Union compromise among the founding colonies, not a single seat of government.

Population

63,419,000 2

Britannica 2026 estimate.

Population Estimate Year

2026 2

Area (sq km)

1,220,813 2

Independence or Founding Year

1910 2

Four British colonies (Cape, Natal, Transvaal, Orange Free State) united as the self-governing Union of South Africa on 31 May 1910. Full sovereign independence followed under the 1931 Statute of Westminster, a republic was declared in 1961, and the country first held fully democratic elections open to all races in 1994; 1910 is recorded here as the founding of the unified state, with the later milestones kept in this note rather than silently picked over.

Classification

Sovereignty Status

UN Member State 1

Learn More

Three Capitals, One Compromise

This article records tradition as it has been passed down and reported. Its sources are not yet part of the atlas's verified catalogue.

South Africa's three capital cities are not an accident of history so much as a deliberately engineered compromise. When the Cape Colony, Natal, the Transvaal and the Orange Free State negotiated their union into a single self-governing dominion in 1910, each of the four founding colonies had its own claim to prestige and none was willing to see a rival colony's capital become the capital of the whole country. The solution split the government itself three ways: Pretoria, the former Transvaal capital, took the executive branch and the seat of the presidency; Cape Town, the oldest European settlement and legislative center under Cape rule, kept Parliament; Bloemfontein, the former Orange Free State capital, was given the judiciary and the Supreme Court of Appeal. No single city won, which was exactly the arrangement four proud, recently rival colonies could agree to. More than a century later, after a republic, an end to apartheid and a fully democratic constitution, the three-way split has outlived every government that has governed under it.

From Union to Democracy

This article records tradition as it has been passed down and reported. Its sources are not yet part of the atlas's verified catalogue.

Four dates matter to the question of when South Africa truly became the country it is today, and each answers a different part of it. 1910 is when the Union of South Africa formed, joining four British colonies into one self-governing dominion, though still under the British crown and, for its Black majority, under no meaningful political rights at all. 1931 is when the Statute of Westminster gave the Union full legislative sovereignty equal to Britain's own, ending the last formal colonial subordination while leaving the domestic racial order untouched. 1961 is when a republic was declared, cutting the last constitutional tie to the British monarchy, again without extending the franchise. Only 1994, with the country's first election open to citizens of every race, ending the apartheid system that had governed since 1948, produced a South Africa whose government could claim to represent the whole population it governed. This atlas records 1910 as the founding of the unified state, but the honest history of South African independence is really the history of all four dates together.

South Africa

Cities

FAQs

Why does South Africa have three capital cities?

Pretoria is the executive capital, Cape Town the legislative capital and Bloemfontein the judicial capital.

South Africa divides its national government among three capitals instead of placing it in one city. Pretoria is the executive capital, hosting the Union Buildings and the offices of the President and Cabinet. Cape Town is the legislative capital, home to the Parliament of South Africa. Bloemfontein is the judicial capital, hosting the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Connections

Associated With

Bloemfontein

Source Bloemfontein (Wikipedia)

Cape Peninsula

Cape Town

Source Cape Town (Wikipedia)

Drakensberg

Durban

Source Durban (Wikipedia)

Eastern Cape

Eastern Cape is a province of South Africa.

Source Eastern Cape (Wikipedia)

Free State

Free State is a province of South Africa.

Source Free State (Wikipedia)

Gauteng

Gauteng is a province of South Africa.

Source Gauteng (Wikipedia)

Gqeberha

Source Gqeberha (Wikipedia)

Johannesburg

Source Johannesburg (Wikipedia)

Kruger National Park

Source Kruger National Park (Wikipedia)

KwaZulu-Natal

KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa.

Source KwaZulu-Natal (Wikipedia)

Pretoria

Source Pretoria (Wikipedia)

Southern Africa

South Africa is one of the five states of the narrow UN Geoscheme definition of Southern Africa.

Source Encyclopaedia Britannica

Soweto

Source Soweto (Wikipedia)

Sub-Saharan Africa

Source Sub-Saharan Africa (Wikipedia)

Table Mountain National Park

Table Mountain National Park is in Cape Town, South Africa.

Source Table Mountain National Park (Wikipedia)

Tugela Falls

Western Cape

Western Cape is a province of South Africa.

Source Western Cape (Wikipedia)

Bordered By Water

Table Bay

Has Capital

Bloemfontein

Source Bloemfontein (Wikipedia)

Cape Town

Cape Town is South Africa's legislative capital, seat of Parliament; South Africa has three capitals, Pretoria (executive) and Bloemfontein (judicial) are the other two, neither yet covered in this atlas.

Source Cape Town (Wikipedia)

Pretoria

Source Pretoria (Wikipedia)

Long-Form Articles

From Union to Democracy

Three Capitals, One Compromise

Rivers Through Territory

Limpopo River

Orange River

The Orange flows westwards through South Africa to the Atlantic Ocean.

Source Orange River (Wikipedia)

Vaal River

In the Other Atlases

Nationals Include

Auberon Herbert, 9th Baron Lucas

Also in Agriculture and Farming Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Auberon Herbert, 9th Baron Lucas

Athol Fugard

Also in Arts and Music Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Athol Fugard

Brett Murray

Also in Arts and Music Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Getty Research Institute, Union List of Artist Names: Getty ULAN record for Brett MurrayRecord display

Quote, Record display

Murray, Brett (South African sculptor, born 1961)

Esther Mahlangu

Also in Arts and Music Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Esther Mahlangu

Igshaan Adams

Also in Arts and Music Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Igshaan Adams

Irma Stern

Also in Arts and Music Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Irma Stern

Miriam Makeba

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Elon Musk

Also in Business Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Elon Musk

Mark Shuttleworth

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Patrice Motsepe

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Source Wikidata: Patrice Motsepe

Anriette Esterhuysen

Also in Computing Atlas: a national of this subject.

Nancy Hafkin

Also in Computing Atlas: a national of this subject.

Rapelang Rabana

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Seymour Papert

Also in Education Atlas: a national of this subject.

Gavin Hood

Also in Film and Media Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Gavin Hood (Wikipedia)

Kevin Carter

Also in Film and Media Atlas: a national of this subject.

Pippa Ehrlich

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Stanley Dorfman

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Source Stanley Dorfman (Wikipedia)

Albert van der Sandt Centlivres

Also in Law Atlas: a national of this subject.

Albie Sachs

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Source Wikidata: Albie Sachs

Arthur Chaskalson

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Source Wikidata: Arthur Chaskalson

Bakone Justice Moloto

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Bess Nkabinde

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Christoffel Brand

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Dikgang Moseneke

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Dire Tladi

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Dumisa Ntsebeza

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Dunstan Mlambo

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Edwin Cameron

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Ernest Frederick Watermeyer

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Frans Lourens Herman Rumpff

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Source Frans Lourens Herman Rumpff (Wikipedia)Lead section

Quote, Lead section

was the Chief Justice of South Africa from 1974 to 1982

Henry Allan Fagan

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Ismail Mahomed

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Source Wikidata: Ismail Mahomed

Jacob de Villiers

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James Rose Innes

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James Stratford

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Jody Kollapen

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Source Jody Kollapen (Wikipedia)Lead sentence 1tier 2

Quote, Lead sentence 1

Narandran "Jody" Kollapen (born 19 May 1957) is a South African judge who joined the Constitutional Court of South Africa on 1 January 2022.

Johann Kriegler

Also in Law Atlas: a national of this subject.

John de Villiers, 1st Baron de Villiers

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John Didcott

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John Dugard

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John Stephen Curlewis

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John Wessels

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Kate O'Regan

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Laurie Ackermann

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Lucas Cornelius Steyn

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Mandisa Maya

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Source Mandisa Maya (Wikipedia)Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia articletier 2

Quote, Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia article

Mandisa Muriel Lindelwa Maya (born 20 March 1964) is the Chief Justice of South Africa.

Max Gluckman

Also in Law Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Max Gluckman

Mbuyiseli Madlanga

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Michael Corbett

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Showing 1 to 50 of 98 in Nationals Include, page 1 of 2.

Origin Of

Cape Dutch Architecture

Also in Architecture and Design Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Athol Fugard

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Esther Mahlangu

Also in Arts and Music Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Wikipedia: Esther Mahlangu

Irma Stern

Also in Arts and Music Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Getty Research Institute: Union List of Artist Names: Irma SternBirth and Death Places

Quote, Birth and Death Places

Born: Schweizer-Reneke (North West, South Africa) (inhabited place)

Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

Also in Education Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) (Wikipedia)Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia articletier 2

Quote, Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia article

The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE/PGCertEd) is a one- or two-year higher education course in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and South Africa which provides training in order to allow graduates to become teachers within maintained schools.

Moses Blackman

Also in Energy Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Stephen Salter

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My Octopus Teacher

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Tsotsi

Also in Film and Media Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Wikipedia: TsotsiLead sentence 2

Quote, Lead sentence 2

It is an adaptation of the novel Tsotsi by Athol Fugard, and is a South African/UK co-production.

U-Carmen eKhayelitsha

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Biltong

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Source Biltong (Wikidata)

Bobotie

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Boerewors

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Bunny Chow

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Chakalaka

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Gatsby

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Kiwano

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Koe'sister

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Potjiekos

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Source Potjiekos, Wikipedia

South African Cuisine

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Umngqusho

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Cetshwayo kaMpande

Also in History Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Wikidata: Cetshwayo kaMpande

Nelson Mandela

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Source Wikidata: Nelson Mandela

Disgrace

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Source Wikipedia: Disgracetier 2

Anthony Holiday

Also in Philosophy Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Wikipedia: Anthony HolidayLead sentence 1tier 2

Quote, Lead sentence 1

Anthony “Tony” Holiday was a South African journalist, activist, academic and philosopher.

David H. M. Brooks

Also in Philosophy Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Wikipedia: David H. M. BrooksLead sentence 1tier 2

Quote, Lead sentence 1

David Havard Macleod Brooks (6 February 1950 – 27 October 1996) was a South African philosopher and professor of philosophy at the University of Cape Town.

Johan Degenaar

Also in Philosophy Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Johan Degenaar (Wikipedia)Lead sentence 1tier 3

Quote, Lead sentence 1

Johannes Jacobus Degenaar OIS (7 March 1926 – 22 July 2015) was a South African philosopher, and emertitus professor at the Stellenbosch University, who is considered "one of the most respected and influential philosophers in South Africa."

John McDowell

Also in Philosophy Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source John McDowell (Wikipedia)Lead sentence 1tier 3

Quote, Lead sentence 1

John Henry McDowell (born 7 March 1942) is a South African philosopher, formerly a fellow of University College, Oxford, and now Distinguished University Professor at the University of Pittsburgh.

Leonhard Praeg

Also in Philosophy Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Leonhard Praeg (Wikipedia)Lead sentence 1tier 3

Quote, Lead sentence 1

Leonhard (Leonard) Praeg (born January 25, 1966) is a South African philosopher, novelist and emeritus professor in philosophy at Stellenbosch University.

Mabogo P. More

Also in Philosophy Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Mabogo P. More, WikipediaLead sentence 2

Quote, Lead sentence 2

More is a South African philosopher working in the area of Black existentialism, including philosophical analysis of the life and work of Steve Biko and the thought of Jean-Paul Sartre.

Mogobe Ramose

Also in Philosophy Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Mogobe Ramose (Wikipedia)Lead sentence 1tier 3

Quote, Lead sentence 1

Mogobe Bernard Ramose is a South African philosopher, one of the key thinkers to have popularised African philosophy, and specifically Ubuntu philosophy, internationally.

Motsamai Molefe

Also in Philosophy Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Motsamai Molefe (Wikipedia)Lead sentence 1tier 3

Quote, Lead sentence 1

Motsamai Molefe is a South African philosopher, one of the thinkers to have popularised African philosophy, and specifically Applied Ethics in context of Ubuntu philosophy.

Mpho Tshivhase

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Source Mpho Tshivhase (Wikipedia)Lead sentence 1

Quote, Lead sentence 1

Mpho Tshivhase is a South African philosopher who teaches at the University of Pretoria.

Richard Bradley

Also in Philosophy Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Richard Bradley (Wikipedia)Lead sentence 1

Quote, Lead sentence 1

Richard Bradley (born 13 December 1964) is a South African philosopher.

Willie Esterhuyse

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Apartheid

Also in Society and Culture Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Xhosa

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Zulu

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Site Of

Cape Town City Hall

Also in Architecture and Design Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Highgate Ostrich Show Farm

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Source Highgate Ostrich Show Farm (Wikipedia)

Jeppe Street Power Station

Also in Architecture and Design Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Johannesburg Park Station

Also in Architecture and Design Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source Johannesburg Park Station, WikipediaLead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia article

Quote, Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia article

Johannesburg Park Station is the central railway station in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa, and the largest railway station in Africa.

Ponte City Apartments

Also in Architecture and Design Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source Ponte City Apartments (Wikipedia)tier 3

Robben Island

Also in Architecture and Design Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source Robben Island (Wikipedia)

South African Institute of Architects

Also in Architecture and Design Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Tuynhuys

Also in Architecture and Design Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source Tuynhuys (Wikipedia)

Union Buildings

Also in Architecture and Design Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Absa Group Limited

Also in Business Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source Absa Group (Wikipedia)Lead sentence 1tier 2

Quote, Lead sentence 1

Absa Group Limited, commonly known and stylized simply as absa (formerly the Amalgamated Banks of South Africa (ABSA) until 2005 and Barclays Africa Group Limited until 2018), is a multinational banking and financial services conglomerate based in Johannesburg, South Africa and listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

Bowmans

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Central South African Railways

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De Beers

Also in Business Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source Wikipedia, De BeersLead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia articletier 2

Quote, Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia article

It operates in 35 countries, with mining taking place in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Canada.

ENSafrica

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Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd

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Fastjet

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Source Fastjet - WikipediaLead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia article

Quote, Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia article

It currently has two airline operations in the Group: Fastjet Zimbabwe, flying scheduled operations from Harare, and Federal Airlines, providing non-scheduled shuttle and charter services inside South Africa and regionally.

MTN Group

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Natal Government Railways

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Nedbank Group Limited

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New Cape Central Railway

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Saldanha Steel

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Sasol Limited

Also in Business Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source Sasol - WikipediaLead sentence 1

Quote, Lead sentence 1

Sasol Limited, commonly referred to as Sasol, is an integrated energy and chemical company based in Sandton, South Africa.

Truvelo Armoury

Also in Business Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source Wikidata: Truvelo Armoury

South African Police Service

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Source South African Police Service, Wikipedia

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille

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Nongqawuse

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Common Monetary Area

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Financial Sector Conduct Authority

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Great Depression

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IBSA Dialogue Forum

Also in Economics Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Johannesburg Stock Exchange

Also in Economics Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Pan African Federation of Accountants

Also in Economics Atlas: which is located in this subject.

South African Reserve Bank

Also in Economics Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Stellenbosch University

Also in Education Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source Stellenbosch University (country source)

University of Cape Town

Also in Education Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source University of Cape Town (country source)

University of the Witwatersrand

Also in Education Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source University of the Witwatersrand (Wikipedia)Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia articletier 2

Quote, Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia article

The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (), commonly known as Wits University or Wits, is a leading multi-campus public research university situated in the economic hub of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Kendal Power Station

Also in Energy Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Bantu Education Act, 1953

Also in Law Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Group Areas Act 1950

Also in Law Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Natives Land Act, 1913 (South Africa)

Also in Law Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source Natives Land Act, 1913, Wikipedia

Population Registration Act, 1950

Also in Law Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source Population Registration Act, 1950 (Wikipedia)Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia articletier 2

Quote, Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia article

The Population Registration Act of 1950 required that each inhabitant of South Africa be classified and registered in accordance with their racial characteristics and culture as part of the system of apartheid.

Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act, 1995

Also in Law Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Boyden Observatory

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Denel Spaceteq

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Dragonfly Aerospace

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Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory

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MeerKAT

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National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme

Also in Space and Astronomy Atlas: which is located in this subject.

National Research Foundation of South Africa

Also in Space and Astronomy Atlas: which is located in this subject.

South African Astronomical Observatory

Also in Space and Astronomy Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source About - South African Astronomical ObservatoryAbout

Quote, About

Founded in 1820, the SAAO is the national centre for optical and infrared astronomy in South Africa.

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