South Africa sits at the southernmost tip of the African continent, between roughly 22°S and 35°S latitude, with the Atlantic Ocean along its west coast and the Indian Ocean to the south and east. It is the southernmost country on the African mainland, covering about 1,221,037 km², with Pretoria as its administrative capital.
Where South Africa Is on the Map
South Africa occupies the entire southern end of Africa, lying wholly within the Southern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. Its coastline stretches roughly 2,800 km, curving around the famous Cape of Good Hope where the cold Atlantic waters meet the warmer Indian Ocean. The country's southernmost point, Cape Agulhas, is the official dividing line between the two oceans.
Because it spans more than a thousand kilometres north to south, South Africa covers a wide range of latitudes and landscapes. The interior is dominated by a high plateau, the Highveld, while a coastal lowland rings the edges. At about 1.22 million km², it is roughly twice the size of France, or comparable to the combined area of Texas and Oklahoma.
Neighbouring Countries
South Africa shares land borders with five sovereign neighbours and completely surrounds a sixth. This unusual arrangement makes it a central hub of the Southern African region.
- Namibia — to the northwest, along the Orange River and the arid Kalahari fringe.
- Botswana — to the north, across the Kalahari Desert.
- Zimbabwe — to the northeast, with the Limpopo River forming much of the boundary.
- Mozambique — to the east, near the Indian Ocean coast.
- Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) — a small kingdom on the eastern border.
- Lesotho — a mountainous kingdom landlocked entirely within South African territory.
Lesotho's status as an enclave is rare in the world: it is one of only three countries (along with San Marino and Vatican City) completely encircled by a single other nation.
Three Capital Cities
Unusually, South Africa has three capitals, each housing a different branch of government:
- Pretoria — the administrative capital and seat of the executive (the President's office).
- Cape Town — the legislative capital, home to Parliament, located on the Atlantic coast.
- Bloemfontein — the judicial capital, where the Supreme Court of Appeal sits.
The country's largest city, Johannesburg, is not a capital at all, though it is the economic engine of the region. This division of functions reflects compromises made when the Union of South Africa was formed in 1910.
Landscape and Climate
South Africa's position spanning subtropical and temperate zones gives it a remarkable variety of environments. Inland, the elevated Highveld plateau gives way at its edge to the dramatic Great Escarpment, including the Drakensberg mountains, which rise above 3,000 metres. The northwest fades into the dry Kalahari, while the southwest around Cape Town enjoys a Mediterranean climate of wet winters and warm, dry summers.
Table Mountain, the flat-topped massif overlooking Cape Town, is the country's most recognisable natural landmark and part of a unique floral kingdom found nowhere else on Earth. The country also surrounds varied ecosystems from the Kruger savanna in the northeast to the semi-desert Karoo in the centre. To explore more about the nation in depth, see our south africa country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What continent is South Africa on?
South Africa is on the continent of Africa, occupying its southernmost portion in the region known as Southern Africa.
Is South Africa in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere?
South Africa lies entirely in the Southern Hemisphere, south of the Equator, and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. Its seasons are the reverse of those in Europe and North America.
What oceans surround South Africa?
The Atlantic Ocean borders South Africa's west coast, while the Indian Ocean lies to the south and east. The two oceans officially meet at Cape Agulhas, the continent's southernmost point.