The Geography of South Africa Explained

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South Africa is arguably the most geographically diverse country in the world, with landscapes ranging from dry deserts over alpine mountain ranges to tropical savannahs. For more deep dives into the Geography of places around the world, be sure to subscribe and have a look at my other videos.
Thumbnail map by: / arq.mosquera
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:37 Diversity of South Africa
3:55 The Coastal Plains
7:04 The Great Escarpment
9:15 The Interior Plateau

[@FactSpark]

Go to ground.news/factspark to stay fully informed. Subscribe through my link for 40% off unlimited access this month.

[@rilluma]

so finland?

[@jancofourie2323]

Can you make a video someday about the geography of Australia?

[@Undercoverbat95]

​@@rillumaJesus loves you ❤️ and the only way to heaven

[@Undercoverbat95]

​@@jancofourie2323Jesus loves you ❤️ and the only way to heaven

[@Luno_Referral_Code_ZJBS3P]

❤

[@TamimLB]

Some also forget how absolutely huge South Africa actually is, the single Northern Cape Province is the size of Germany.

[@dollarbrandyakoellis6526]

But i still want Namibia back though!!!

[@ScissorN]

@@dollarbrandyakoellis6526same all that oil thats being discovered in Namibia is our oil 😂

[@ferdieortman6614]

​@@ScissorNtalk kak how is that possible

[@ScissorN]

@@ferdieortman6614 dont take strangers on internet serious you will die young

[@ferdieortman6614]

@@ScissorN sorry ouma I didn't make sure

[@TheRealSimeon]

One of my favourite things of living in South Africa is seeing how drastically the nature around you can change while driving around.

[@karabo8847]

The garden route has to be my favourite scenic drive Looking forward to doing a coast to coast drive 🚗

[@ruanholtzhausen4000]

When I'm going from Harties(near pretoria) to Durban or Port Elizibeth(Qbergha) it's fenominal seeing how the mountains and plantlife changes. It's the coolest thing.

[@willemienviljoen8359]

SA's people are equally as diverse as it's climate, geography, biodiversity and mineral resources! We are a rainbow of people, very difficult to keep everyone happy. Never a dull moment, but the beauty of the country lifts our spirits.

[@kumkan3588]

Nice to hear something positive for once. Thanks buddy

[@SabeloMemela]

"Never a dull moment" is the best slogan for South Africa. Complicated place, but the best things usually are.

[@JuicyJLee]

It's true I am coloured but even amongst coloured people we different, some look Indian some look white some look black , some look mexican 😂

[@roeteroestof3896]

BUT....our Heavenly Father GOD ALMIGHTY IS IN CONTROL IN JESUS NAAM ALTYD...IHALLELUJAH AMEN

[@lungelogcaba9954]

We love it here 🇿🇦❤

[@Abdullah.Abujbara]

As a Qatari deeply fond of South Africa and having visited Cape Town around five times, I must say I gained a wealth of knowledge from this wonderfully crafted, informative video. Please keep up the fantastic work!

[@nox6885]

Every one is welcome to SA. Hence they want to govern. "Sounds familiar?

[@SaifAlikhan-wy1zs]

​@@nox6885???

[@faeezmohamed7774]

تشرفنا يا عبد الله

[@thaborumo394]

Tell the truth you saw blacks in confined in "locations" while all of the land is owned by whites 50 million south african 20 million in one province what do you think

[@luckystriker7489]

South African here. Extremely well researched, I thank you. Don't worry about pronunciation, we have so many different accents and languages (all of us are at least bilingual, but some - mostly black South Africans - speak as many as 9 languages) that pronunciation is a moot point. Subscribed!

[@ghaznavid]

Agreed, I was also impressed with the research behind it. Especially when Mafadi was actually visible in the picture they used when talking about it. A few minor errors, but nothing serious.

[@credence7777777]

the voice is AI

[@TinyFord1]

I don’t know a single black person who can speak 9 languages. I work in courts everyday and not even the interpreters who are authorised by judiciary to work in the court can speak 9 languages. You have the Whites who speak Afrikaans and English. A lot speak the ruling language from where they grew up (Jhb you have Zulu speaking/understanding whites, Pta you have sotho whites). Then the blacks speak their tribal language or a version thereof which mixes words from the dominant languages in the area, like “Pretorian” which includes Afrikaans (for the days for example saying Ke a boya Maandag) Sotho for the rest, and Zulu for words neither of the other language commonly use. Long story short, out of the 80 million people here, no more than 10000 probably speak more than 4 languages.

[@TD1237]

@@TinyFord1 Well, I'm bilingual, as are most people I know. And the Black people I know usually speak even more than 2. So they're definitely ahead of us.

[@kivakai]

@@TinyFord1 you are in the wrrrrong industry. Your energy should be far from people.

[@TheRealLaKwaneleDaOne]

So much love from South Africa❤. I actually in a place called Qwa-Qwa, every morning i get to see the Drakenberg moutains. when i was growing up we used to head our livestock there😊. and during the holiday's we would cross the mountain to go to lesotho, Free of charge. there is a big dam called "Fika Patso" which gets most of its water from Lesotho. Not only is this place beautiful but it has alot of history, during Apartheid most black people were forced to stay there. it has a rich black history. I apologize for this long comment😂, i just got so happy seeing my country being talked about❤❤❤❤.

[@Hannodb1961]

I'm so grateful for bring born in this country, and being able to stay year despite its turbulent politics. Back in the nationalist era, they called South Africa the most beautiful country in the world, and I thought that was just bias talking. But the older I get the more I realize how beautifully diverse our country really is.

[@TD1237]

Dude. That "the older I get" part is real. Not just regarding beauty. But putting aside our issues with the crimerate, there's a lot of things we take for granted here.

[@theonaude7023]

RSA is home to me, but sadly work there js limited and so I had to move. I want to live there and live in peace. Any suggestions?

[@Hannodb1961]

@@theonaude7023 You provide quite limited information so its hard to give advice. I am in Pretoria working in IT, and has never experienced a scarcity of work. But ofcause, that depend on your profession. Our market is much smaller than other places in the world, so more specialised niche fields might be a problem. And ofcause any position that is heavily targetted by BEE. I think your best bet would be to wait for the elections this month. It promises to be _very_ interesting. And yeah, we'll end up with a turbulent and inefficient coalition government, but that is a _good thing._ The best government for South Africa is one that gets out of the way of ordinary people trying to fix what they broke, so, yeah, I actually expect oppertunities to grow after the elections.

[@theonaude7023]

Thank you

[@MLV79]

I am a geography teacher and want you to know that your work is phenomenal! Thank you. Cheers!😀

[@Marlo_Strannik]

Fun fact: the Khoi peoples of South Africa and the Melanesian peoples of Vanuatu & the Solomon Islands are (probably) the two most genetically distant ethnicities on the planet

[@nox6885]

You saying probably....."probably" . What do you base your statement on fam?

[@Vilakazi]

What the hell does that have to do with geography?

[@z_monty]

Source?

[@splashafrica]

​@@MariGrace22he used plural for people collectively refering to khoi San and strandloopers specifically the khoi is definitely wrong but strandloopers have a much smaller range then the San so more chances for a genetic bottleneck to make them more distinct while the San has more chances to interact with other civilizations

[@mosiuwamositi3975]

This video is too short, 1 hour would be enough 😢 I am an enthusiastic South African by the way.

[@jamemule5326]

Same

[@UrsulaZA]

Love hearing and learning about our beautiful country.

[@fortunec.4354]

Please make one that is longer, that could help if you think this one is too short

[@TD1237]

​@@UrsulaZASame, so many nice things to say about our country imo.

[@theonaude7023]

I love RSA guys, but I am struggling to live here. What do you guys think? Are we looking up or down?

[@diariesofdave]

This video reminded me of how beautifully diverse our nation is, Flora, Fauna and People. We have so much to be greatful for ❤

[@ncubesays]

You should do Zimbabwe. Seriously, some parts look like the Serengeti plains, others like the Scottish Highlands and incredibly varied micro- climates.

[@landibear6509]

Im South African and live in Gqeberha aka Port Elizabeth. Beautiful place. Right now it's 17h05 in the afternoon and around 31 degrees in temperature. It's Autumn but it's not unusual to have that kind of weather here. Differs not only from day to day but hour to hour sometimes. Could be hot now, windy later, then rain and thunder and 5 min later, something else. The biggest misconception I think people have of this country other than the level of crime, is the whole thing about wild animals roaming the streets. To a certain extent only (no more than in other countries), there is some truth in that. If you study at Nelson Mandela University and you leave your sorm open, there is a possibility of monkeys getting into your room. Reside tally speaking though, other than the occasional hyrax moving into your yard or cows eating grass in parks or on the side of the road, nothing too out of the ordinary. Beautiful country.

[@kitsin326]

Do people actually call Port Elizabeth Gqeberha?

[@landibear6509]

@@kitsin326 Honestly, no. Only on the news or in weather reports. It's always been called Port Elizabeth, PE for short, Ebayi or Madiba Bay.

[@kitsin326]

@@landibear6509 I see, I was curious since I am from the Western Cape and I have never heard anyone call Port Elizabeth Gqeberha before .

[@landibear6509]

@@kitsin326 😂 I have yet to hear anyone call it that in person tbh. No disrespect intended but I think if they're going to change the name, change it to something that has collective and sentimental value to everyone. Madiba Bay would actually have been really pretty. I've never been anywhere near the western cape. Hope to travel there at some point.

[@dre_der]

im from SA. this was a great video, a lot of information i had no idea of... thank you

[@nevfelix]

I love my country, my people and all its cultural and climate diversity ❤ from table mountain to limpopo venda ❤❤❤🇿🇦✌🏽

[@TD1237]

Same here bro, very proud of our country and everyone in it. 🤗

[@alisonkotze9723]

❤❤🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@mikaeels2691]

Good work covering my country! Having travelled between Cape Town and Johannesburg, you can really feel the difference on your body

[@tylerdurden3722]

And feel the difference on your wallet, on the drive back...uphill.

[@SilentSandwhich24145]

South Africans Represent!!

[@trishhaye9101]

I am immensely privileged to have travelled widely across this beautiful country. You have done a great job at explaining the geographical diversity. This is truly “a world in one country” 😊

[@Impiloiscam]

I love my country so much you gave me more reason to continue loving it. Thank you .

[@jellybeaniac152]

When driving from Joburg to Cape Town its amazing to see how much changes around you

[@adesojielijah3171]

Love south Africa from 🇳🇬

[@Daimlerxy_]

We love you guys too, there are just some that take jokes seriously but at the end of the day we all are Africans

[@adesojielijah3171]

@@Daimlerxy_ True words said my brother

[@nutsack24seeds]

We only love the ones that don't sell drugs thou

[@penekedirero4636]

​@@nutsack24seedsYou had to sneak that one in😂

[@khanyiemthethwa5632]

@@nutsack24seedsyou are what’s wrong in SA

[@saxon6]

I've read much about the British Empire and its wars in South Africa. Often the geography and less often the climate are mentioned but usually only in passing. This video helps round out my learning of this subject. As always it was comprehensive and educational. Thank you

[@tristandaries1129]

One of my favourite parts of living in South Africa is the food. The Cape Town area is very similar to some parts of Italy, giving us world famous wine and olive oil, and within an hour of eating at an fancy Italian restaurant, you can find some Indian food, or Malaysian food, or native African food, or all three of those mixed together in one meal

[@jun_kage]

Currently in South Africa for a holiday. Pretty dope place

[@darryllyle3528]

Welcome to South Africa! 🇿🇦

[@wianprinsloo2817]

Couldn't agree more. Although it becomes less so when you are a citizen

[@undary0u]

​@@wianprinsloo2817 that's because our government is ran by corrupt idiots ,if this weren't the case the country would be more fun to live in

[@lank_asif]

I hope you enjoy your time here! :D

[@zoe-wc7zv]

When I drove back from the Eastern Cape to Cape Town, the change in scenery is amazing. The weather as well, we experienced a thunderstorm and scorching heat in the span of an hour.

[@Peteryification]

Great video! Loved it! The meterology of South Africa is absolutely fascinating. The high pressures off the coasts and the interior low pressure create some extraordinary weather. Thanks for the great video!

[@connorgoosen2468]

Yet another South African here! I always knew of the beauty of this country but I learned so much more from your video. It made me feel emotional to learn about all of these different places I have been. Thanks and keep up the good work. Definitely going to subscribe to learn about the amazing landscapes around the world!

[@1unsung971]

Excellent. Thank you very much. Best wishes from New Zealand

[@anotherpersonontheweb5558]

This is so good, keep up the good work!

[@UrsulaZA]

My husband and I got married in the Kruger National Park - Pretoriuskop. It’s a southern camp as you enter from SA’s side. Beautiful!

[@georgewilliams6498]

Thanks; this was very interesting. I live in Pretoria and will be going down to the lowveld in a few days. I always find it fascinating to watch the change in the landscape as you travel through the different biomes that the N4 cuts through.

[@jentinanaude2659]

Its funny how small they make South Africa on the maps

[@melsuperstar6292]

I live in Cape Town an I am so fortunate to be surrounded by our beautiful fynbos, the protea that is South Africa national flowers growing wild here. It is amazing. I loved you vidoe. Thanks!

[@lonwabolungaselaledi9189]

Thank you for taking my suggestion❤

[@kivakai]

This information was _incredibly_ well represented for my wiring to download!! I'm beyond grateful 🙏🏼

[@Ranger_Dewie]

Thanks for the video. In my great grandfather’s diary he wrote going to sleep in the Karoo while masses of springboks migrate past them - waking up the next morning with the herd still coming past.

[@karabo8847]

As a South African I found this video highly interesting and it made me want to explore the country more ❤🇿🇦

[@connorrhunter]

Woah you included bontepark park in your map of nature reserves!! I lived right near it in Swellendam. I didn’t think it would be brought up in a video like this but thats awesome

[@magomedmagomedov6983]

I love your videos. They are amazing. Can i ask you if you intend to do review on the geography of the caucasus? I would be incredibly interested in learning geographical details about the region where i grew up!

[@sherwindlamini5995]

Kruger National Park isn't in one province of Limpopo but mpumalanga as well, the 2 provinces are sharing it

[@astroniun]

Well researched video and amazingly put together well done this is just excellent 👏

[@user-bk8tf6cw4b]

Outstanding channel! I love all of your brilliant videos.

[@warrenlouw1610]

My fellow South Africans.... Aweh.

[@craigmitchell905]

Thanks so much for the tutorial, I loved it

[@kamishirono2371]

Great video Man! What software do you use for editing?

[@gakpo_era]

As a South African, I can say most, if not all, are immensely proud and boastful about our wonderful and beautiful country. It is a deep shame that it has been ruined by our corrupt, selfish and arrogant criminal government the ANC. But please, continue to visit our country, we are accommodating, friendly and we honestly need your investment to keep us going. Rant over!

[@hlangananimdibi4670]

I'm a South African environment scientist and I don't know some of the stuff you've mentioned here. Where did you get all this information? This is interesting.

[@jaxxdevilliers7899]

Dear sir! Well done on an excellent video! I am South African and often have to explain the country to my Canadian family.

[@Lucidfilth]

I have to say, as a South African who enjoys geography and geology. This is a great video, and there aren't many of this kind. Thank you.

[@thewolfza8154]

Thank you for this amazing video. Much love from South Africa. ❤

[@ruanholtzhausen4000]

Well done. This is south afrikan aproved. Lekke man!

[@tornadomash00]

very nicely edited and written video keep it up :)

[@HunterSteel29]

You should take a look at the Magaliesburg (One of the longest mountain ranges in the world.) and the Vredefort Crater.

[@ibraheemchetty2395]

Exceptional video💯. More on South Africa please.

[@Regimeshifts]

Absolutely loved this as a South African. Now I subscribed to your channel!!

[@BenLe42]

More about South Africa please! that was fascinating

[@romans3.25propitiation]

I love my country, thank GOD for putting me in this one♥...

[@Etinator755]

I live in SA and I have been lucky enough to go to the Drakensburg (or just "The Burg" as we call it") and I will never forget it! The Burg has to be one of my favourite places on the planet. Well worth a visit!

[@onlycars_za]

It's a good place to be

[@annettebeckett4671]

Went to Drakensburg for Honeymoon was lovely. Then I came home to CapeTown and table mountain. We so blessed in this country

[@travislooper1157]

Every South African needs to watch this video

[@rogue___tr00per24]

Well presented !

[@heilathenaturewoman9358]

Very interesting video.! I have subscribe to your channel just now, for this is the content I enjoy and finding interesting especially for I am from South Africa! Thank you for a most educational video! 😊

[@flyingp0lecat09]

Absolutely brilliant video 🇿🇦❤

[@pierresantana6292]

Very imformative, I live in South Africa and there was a few things I didn't know, thanks!

[@rabanal_josh64]

Love your efforts and details. Could you make a video con the Peruvian Altiplano Geography?

[@danievandermerwe1157]

Very informal video , thank you !!

[@gorereel.r2780]

The weather along the east coast is absolutely sublime 👌

[@richardbaker2701]

Such a fascinating country

[@K.C.2009.]

my home country it honestly is a very beautiful country and I feel so happy when ever i see comments like this

[@user-pq4pu3jy8h]

You do great work on all your videos. Big Fan. This one makes me want to visit South Africa.

[@JuicyJLee]

You should come. Don't listen to all the negatives things, see for yourself. I know you will definitely enjoy our cuisine

[@karabomasimola2412]

Don't come here chief. Stay away from us... Foriegners traumatized my people. Therefore, stay away

[@siyabulelamapuza7018]

Subscribed. Great video

[@justinphillips7819]

Definitely wanted you to mention the Greenstone Belt!

[@clickityclackity7096]

Beautiful, thank you!

[@legoANDotherTHINGS1]

Hey, I have been enjoying your channel a lot. In the video you talk about the 17 mega diverse countries. I already find those countries super interesting . Wouldn't you call Bolivia also a mega diverse country or how is it defined?

[@pontuspanflojt]

Would love videos like these for all countries in the world

[@avikalmann592]

Great video! Can you make a detailed geography video of Madagascar as well?

[@timthomson5674]

Excellent! Thanks for show us our beautiful world in such a detail.

[@StFrancisEnjoyer]

Hey could you do a video on the geography of the three most southern states of Brazil?

[@juandrescheepers8912]

I would love to have a map of South Africa, artfully depicting the subregions of the country as shown around 9:38. All South Africans need to experience each of those regions at least once ❤

[@rangerleo81]

Amazing beyond words. Loved it. Please make one on India

[@FactSpark]

I already did, 3 videos ago :)

[@rangerleo81]

@@FactSpark thank you sir. Found it. Excellent work

[@annettebeckett4671]

I live in CapeTown. Love the mountain.

[@rilluma]

very good sponsor , i mean that concept.. !

[@GamEmpire1]

I'm fortunate to live in Cape Town. Going to miss it when i travel but this will always be home. ❤

[@LionelRedelinghuys]

you missed the kaapvaal craton. It's really fascinating

[@kyunzi-of1uq]

love this!!

[@robertjan002]

Lesotho is geographically distinct, a border drawn conveniently around a unique and strange geography. This border magically makes people ignore its strangeness. I’m glad you explained it though I don’t feel the explanation fits the strangeness when I look on Google earth.

[@MADEBRILLIANTFAMILY]

Mpumalanga Province has so much more wonders....trust me Adam's Calendar is a series of stones believed to be the oldest man-made structure on Earth. The Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains contain an outstanding record of some of the oldest, most diverse, and best-preserved volcanic and sedimentary rocks on the early Earth like its 3.5Billion years old...Anyway loved the video always wondered but the effects of the two oceans... but never had the time to research it.

[@TheNeoMosala]

I'm a South African and I learned so much from this video!

[@Jackrabfanyo]

Now we just need to get the zoo in charge ( ANC) to learn a thing or two aswell before they ruin this once rich place for good

[@TD1237]

@@Jackrabfanyo "Once rich" is not the issue lol. We just need honest, hard-working people in government. So, unfortunately, neither the ANC (corrupt), MK (even more so), EFF (Julius is sus) or DA ( Ziionist and American puppts) would work well. But I suppose you have to pick your poison.

[@Tintunabulation]

Well done.

[@M_Dun]

I love South Africa! I am planning to go there soon, thanks for the video.

[@karabomasimola2412]

Please visit us. Don't stay here

[@vleiratfilms2020]

Sad that you left out the Benguela swept West Coast area south of Namibia. Having lived for 20 years alongside the Verlorenvlei, a RAMSAR protected unique wetland, under severe threat from agriculture and development .. you missed out on one of the most biodiverse and interesting regions on earth. Maybe next time. Thank you for a very useful snapshot of the country as a whole though .. much appreciated 🌈🇿🇦

[@Killawattpsy]

Hahaha awesome video, thanks for the info. As a South African I must let you know that is no where now how Gqeberha is pronounced, it's really hard for those that don't speak the language.

[@nox6885]

Nkosi Sikelela iAfrica

[@ElectrostatiCrow]

Maluphakamise uphondo lwayo.

[@mandisashabalala6466]

Yizwa imithandazo yethu

[@Jackrabfanyo]

Singing and chanting the country downwards into the dirt. Some things never change lol

[@ElectrostatiCrow]

@@Jackrabfanyo Get a grip bro. How dumb do you have to be to think the singing the national anthem is a sign of decline?

[@jimslancio]

9:47 That, I take it, would be the Great, Gray-Green, Greasy Limpipo River, made famous by Kipling.

[@ErloBrown1]

Such a well researched video. Makes me proud to call SA home.

[@thehebrewchild]

Great video!! it is high time the sons and daughters of this land reap the benefits.

[@cassidyallengar]

Very well researched. Just a note the most northern parts of the Kruger National park are not tropical. Specifically the area around Pafuri gate, that is part of the musina area. The northern most point of South Africa around the boarder town Musina are semi arid. There is a rain shield created by the mountains by Louis Trichrad (sorry for spelling) which blocks rain to Musina. This results in the rain mostly only coming from Mozambique/Zimbabwe or Botswana. Baobabs dominate this area.

[@xXstevilleXx]

Never though I will see a video about the positive aspect of South Africa. Still, I am not planning to stay here, those who know will know why, but I am amazed since this is the only video that I have seen not hurling imprecations. Thanks

[@khutazzoron4563]

3:44 Mapungubwe’s location is incorrect. It is closer to Zimbabwe and Botswana. When you are at Mapungubwe you can see both the countries

[@Supriano90]

Please do the Geography of Zambezi river or zimbabwe

[@wesleymaligo5379]

Is the river bodies of south Africa connected?