South Africa
Location
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Phone Code
+27
Domain
.co.za
Driving Side
left
License Plates
White with black text, province code
Road Signs
Green direction signs, diamond-shaped warning signs
Power Lines
Concrete poles in urban areas
Architecture
Mix of European and African influences
Street View
Google car is white with camera on top
Additional Identifiers
Multiple languages on signs, distinctive vegetation
Language & Text Examples
Multiple official languages. English, Afrikaans (similar to Dutch), and African languages like Zulu, Xhosa (with clicks: ǃ, ǀ, ǁ, ǂ).
Regional Characteristics
Cape Region Region of South Africa
Landscape
Coastal mountains, vineyards, fynbos vegetation
Vegetation
Fynbos (unique shrubland), vineyards, proteas
Architecture
Cape Dutch, colonial buildings, modern Cape Town
Climate
Mediterranean, winter rainfall
Distinctive Features
Table Mountain, wine farms, Cape Dutch architecture
Tip: Look for these characteristics to identify if you're in the Cape Region region of South Africa.
Highveld Region of South Africa
Landscape
High plateau, grasslands, urban Johannesburg
Vegetation
Grasslands, few trees, mine dumps around Johannesburg
Architecture
Mining heritage, modern Johannesburg/Pretoria
Climate
Summer rainfall, dry winters, thunderstorms
Distinctive Features
Gold mine dumps, thunderstorms, Jacaranda trees in Pretoria
Tip: Look for these characteristics to identify if you're in the Highveld region of South Africa.
KwaZulu-Natal Region of South Africa
Landscape
Coastal plains, Drakensberg mountains, rolling hills
Vegetation
Subtropical vegetation, sugar cane fields
Architecture
Zulu villages, colonial Durban, beach resorts
Climate
Humid subtropical, summer rainfall
Distinctive Features
Zulu cultural elements, humid climate, sugar cane
Tip: Look for these characteristics to identify if you're in the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa.
Karoo Region of South Africa
Landscape
Semi-desert, flat plains, isolated koppies (hills)
Vegetation
Sparse desert vegetation, succulents
Architecture
Victorian-era small towns, farm homesteads
Climate
Arid, extreme temperature variations
Distinctive Features
Vast open spaces, sheep farms, star-filled night skies
Tip: Look for these characteristics to identify if you're in the Karoo region of South Africa.
Bushveld/Lowveld Region of South Africa
Landscape
Savanna, game reserves, Kruger National Park
Vegetation
Acacia trees, savanna grasses, baobabs
Architecture
Safari lodges, rural settlements
Climate
Hot, summer rainfall
Distinctive Features
Wildlife, game reserves, safari infrastructure
Tip: Look for these characteristics to identify if you're in the Bushveld/Lowveld region of South Africa.