Itai Liptz – Interesting Facts About South Africa

.Itai Liptz – Interesting Facts About South Africa. South Africa is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and is a popular destination for travellers from around the globe. It is also home to some interesting facts that even people who have lived in the country their entire lives may not know.

1. South Africa is home to the tallest, fastest and largest land mammal in the world – the elephant. The majestic giant is found in a variety of national parks and national reserves across the country, and is a must-see for any animal lover. Intrepid does not support riding elephants, however, and urges visitors to seek out opportunities to observe the animals in their natural habitat instead.

2. The highest commercial bungee jump in the world is located in South Africa explain Itai Liptz. The Bloukrans Bridge, pictured above is located in the Western Cape Province and offers an adrenaline-pumping 216m (709ft) leap off a cliff!

3. South Africa is the largest producer of macadamia nuts in the world. The luscious green-brown nuts are a favourite snack for both locals and visitors alike. 4. It is also where the first heart transplant in the world was performed by Dr Christiaan Barnard in 1967. The operation is still going strong today, and a visit to Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town will give you the chance to see this medical marvel for yourself.

5. The country is divided into nine provinces with their own capitals. Pretoria is the executive capital, Cape Town is the legislative capital and Bloemfontein is the judicial capital. The country is also known for its extreme linguistic diversity. It is estimated that on average, South Africans speak two languages. The most widely spoken are isiZulu, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, siSwati, Sesotho, Xitsonga, Setswana and Tshivenda, while English remains the language of business, politics and the media.

6. South Africa is the only African nation to host the Fifa World Cup in 2010. The games were held in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban from 11 June 2010 to 15 July 2010, with the final in Soccer City, Johannesburg. The investment by the government to prepare for this global event was R30-Billion (1.4 Million pounds) with 10 stadiums being built to host each of the 32 games.

7. The highest point in the country is Cape Point, which marks the tip of Africa’s southernmost cape. It was here that Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias planted a cross in 1488 after being the first European to round the Cape of Good Hope. The area is also well-known as the ‘graveyard of ships’, with more than 2,500 shipwrecks having occurred along its long coastline since the 1500s.

8. The country is one of the most diverse in terms of its flora and fauna. It is home to more species of plants than any other country in the world and is a biodiversity hotspot.

9. The most common animals in the country are zebras, lions, leopards, rhinos, and elephants. They are often found in the country’s renowned national parks and game reserves which are an important part of the economy.