Geography & environment — South Africa
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources.
Profile updated 2026-06-02
⚡ Geography & environment at a glance
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources. Key figure for South Africa: Africa
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Location & size
- Geographic Location
Africa
- Geographic Coordinates
29 00 S, 24 00 E
- Total Area
470,691 Square Miles 1,219,090 Square Kilometers
- Land Area
468,907 Square Miles 1,214,470 Square Kilometers
- Water Area
1,784 Square Miles 4,620 Square Kilometers
- Land Boundaries
3,021 Miles 4,862 Kilometers
- Border Countries
Botswana 1,840 km, Lesotho 909 km, Mozambique 491 km, Namibia 967 km, Swaziland 430 km, Zimbabwe 225 km
- Coastline
1,739 Miles 2,798 Kilometers
Physical geography
- Terrain
vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain
- Highest Point
3,408 Meters
- Highest Point Location
Njesuthi 3,408 m
- Lowest Point Location
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
- Natural Resources
gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas
- Irrigated Land
6,448 Square Miles 16,700 Square Kilometers
Climate & time
- Time Zone
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
- Climate
South Africa has a moderate climate with sunny days and cool nights. The most southerly point has a mean yearly temperature of 61.8 degrees Fahrenheit, while Johannesburg, situated at 5,700 above sea level, has an annual mean of 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit. Pretoria, at 4,452 feet above sea level, is warmer with a mean annual temperature of 63.5 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperatures can be deceiving because of the very bright and dangerous high sun during most of the year, especially in the highveld areas. Although the country lies close to the Tropic of Capricorn, the high altitude of the inland areas results in a temperate climate in most of the country. In the Southern Hemisphere, seasons are opposite those of the Northern Hemispher-summer extends from October to March; winter from June to September. The rainy season in the Pretoria-Johannesburg area is during summer, and the temperature seldom rises above 90 degrees F, with cool nights. Winter is dry and cool with daily temperatures varying from as low as 30 degrees F during the night to as high as 75 degrees F during the day. Along the coastal area where Durban and Cape Town are located, heavier rainfall occurs during winter and spring, causing high humidity. Both cities experience strong winds - Durban from August through October and Cape Town throughout the year. The seasons are not pronounced but blend almost imperceptibly. For the most part, trees and shrubs remain green, with flowers blooming throughout the year. The highveld, which includes the Pretoria-Johannesburg area, remains dry and brown throughout much of the year.
- Terrain
vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain
- Location
Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa
- Total Area
470,691 Square Miles 1,219,090 Square Kilometers
- Border Countries
Botswana 1,840 km, Lesotho 909 km, Mozambique 491 km, Namibia 967 km, Swaziland 430 km, Zimbabwe 225 km
Environment
- Environment - Current Issues
lack of important arterial rivers or lakes requires extensive water conservation and control measures
growth in water usage outpacing supply
pollution of rivers from agricultural runoff and urban discharge
air pollution resulting in acid rain
soil erosion
desertification
- Environment - International Agreements
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements