Preparing for the worst could save your life
South Africa is one of the world’s top wine producers, exporting to over 100 countries. With vineyards covering 120,000 hectares, it’s likely that even people who think they haven’t tried South African wine have unknowingly enjoyed a glass.
Route 62, stretching over 528 miles (850 km), is the world’s longest wine route. Passing through picturesque towns and vineyards, it offers travelers an endless selection of wine tastings, breathtaking landscapes, and hidden gems along South Africa’s countryside.
In 1967, Dr. Christiaan Barnard performed the first-ever human heart transplant, at Cape Town’s Groote Schuur Hospital. The patient lived for 18 days, which proved that transplanting a human heart was possible and no longer science fiction.
South Africa’s Cradle of Humankind paleoanthropological site contains fossils that are over three million years old, including famous finds like Little Foot and Mrs. Ples. This UNESCO site is crucial to understanding human evolution, and provides evidence that our ancestors walked here.
In a historic move, South Africa built nuclear weapons during the 1970s and '80s, but the country later dismantled them in the early 1990s. It remains the only country to voluntarily abandon its nuclear program, choosing peace and diplomacy over maintaining weapons of mass destruction.
Cape Town’s Table Mountain is a biodiversity hot spot with over 2,200 plant species (more than in the entire United Kingdom). Many of these species are found nowhere else on Earth, which is a good enough reason why the mountain was named one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
Many believe the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet at South Africa’s Cape Point, but the true meeting place is Cape Agulhas, also in South Africa. Here, the waters clash in a spectacular mix of currents, and they mark the official dividing line between the two great oceans.
South Africa’s coastline has claimed countless ships due to fierce winds, stormy seas, and jagged rocks. The Cape of Good Hope, once called the "Cape of Storms," has a deadly reputation. The 1852 sinking of HMS Birkenhead at Danger Point, where survivors faced relentless shark attacks, reportedly gave rise to the phrase “women and children first.”
Mponeng Gold Mine in South Africa reaches depths of over 2.5 miles (four kilometers), which makes it the deepest mine in the world. At its lowest levels, rock temperatures hit 151°F (66°C), and so the mine requires advanced cooling systems. This extreme environment pushes miners to work in some of the toughest conditions on Earth.
South Africa is the only country in the world that has three capital cities. The city of Pretoria is the nation’s executive capital, Bloemfontein is its judicial capital, and Cape Town is the legislative capital. This system was originally designed to balance power between parts of the country, but it does make governance complicated.
The Cullinan Diamond, the largest ever found, at 3,106 carats, was unearthed in South Africa in 1905. It was later cut into multiple stones, with several pieces now forming part of the British Crown Jewels.
Vilakazi Street in South Africa’s Soweto township is the only street in the world where two Nobel Prize winners, Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, once lived. This small but historic street is now a major tourist attraction and symbol of South Africa’s rich history.
The Bloukrans Bridge bungee jump, towering at 709 feet (216 meters), is the highest commercial bungee jumping site in the world. Thrill-seekers from around the globe come here to experience the ultimate adrenaline rush of leaping into the canyon below.
With 11 official languages (including English, Afrikaans, Zulu, and Xhosa), South Africa is a linguistic wonderland. Indeed, this nation’s incredible diversity is a reflection of deep cultural heritage and makes for some fascinating linguistic blends in everyday conversations.
Before dinosaurs ruled the Earth, the Karoo region in South Africa was home to ancient reptilian ancestors of mammals. Fossils of these bizarre creatures, called therapsids, help scientists understand how reptiles slowly evolved into warm-blooded mammals.
South Africa is home to the Barberton Greenstone Belt, dating back 3.6 billion years, which makes it the oldest mountain range on Earth. Its rocks contain some of the earliest signs of life, including microscopic fossils from a time before oxygen or complex organisms existed.
In 2005, South Africa’s Constitutional Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage, which led to the creation of the Civil Union Act in 2006. This made South Africa the fifth country in the world to legalize same-sex unions, and the only nation in Africa to date to do so.
South Africa is home to the carrion flower, also known as the corpse flower, which emits a foul stench that is similar to rotting flesh. This revolting odor attracts flies, which act as pollinators. Despite its smell, the plant plays an important role in maintaining the local ecosystem.
African penguins thrive at Boulders Beach in Cape Town. Unlike their Antarctic relatives, these penguins bask on sun-drenched beaches. They're a major tourist attraction.
Tugela Falls in the Drakensberg Mountains is often debated as the world’s tallest waterfall. Unlike Angel Falls in Venezuela, which has an uninterrupted height of 3,212 feet (979 meters), Tugela Falls has multi-tiered cascades that plunge a total of 3,225 feet (983 meters).
South Africa’s ostrich farms, particularly in Oudtshoorn, are famous for producing ostrich meat, leather, and eggs. These flightless giants are the largest birds in the world, and can sprint at speeds of up to 43 mph (70 km/h), also making them the fastest-running birds on the planet.
Each year, South Africans take part in the International Coastal Cleanup, a massive event where thousands clean the country’s beaches. This initiative helps protect marine life and is an appropriate testament to the nation’s growing commitment to environmental conservation.
If you ask a South African for directions and they mention a "robot," don’t expect a futuristic android. It’s just their term for a traffic light! This unique slang term often confuses visitors who are unfamiliar with South African English.
The Vredefort Dome in South Africa is the site of the world’s oldest and largest known meteor impact crater, estimated to be over two billion years old. This massive collision shaped the landscape and provides important insights into Earth’s geological history.
South Africa is home to both the tiny blue duiker, which stands only 11.8 inches (30 cm) tall, and the giant eland, the world’s largest antelope, which can weigh over 1,984 lbs (900 kg). The country truly has an incredible showcase of wildlife diversity.
The term "Big Five" (which refers to South Africa’s lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalos) originated from hunting but is now legally recognized in conservation. South Africa is the only country to do so. Interestingly, South Africa even features the Big Five on its currency.
The African lungfish, found in South Africa, can survive outside of water for months. The fish can even survive droughts by burying itself in mud and forming a mucus cocoon. It slows its metabolism and breathes through a primitive lung, allowing it to wait out dry seasons until water returns.
George Airport, located on the country’s southern coast, became the world’s first solar-powered airport in 2016. Using solar panels to generate energy, it significantly reduces carbon emissions and proves that airports can operate sustainably with clean energy.
In 2013, South African scientists revolutionized laser technology by developing the first-ever digital laser. Unlike traditional lasers, this one can be digitally controlled without physical alterations, paving the way for future advancements in medical and industrial laser applications.
Durban’s beaches, along the Indian Ocean on South Africa’s eastern coast, have warm waters even in winter, thanks to the Mozambique Current. Unlike the frigid Atlantic waters in Cape Town, Durban’s sea temperature rarely drops below 68°F (20°C), making it perfect for swimming all year.
Sources: (TheCollector) (National Geographic) (Travelbag) (Britannica)
See also: The 30 best cities in the world to visit, according to Time Out
South Africa is a country that refuses to be ordinary. It’s an unpredictable and endlessly fascinating place where people and nature collide in the most unexpected ways. From landscapes that look like they belong on another planet, to cultural traditions that defy logic, this country is a playground of mind-bending discoveries.
Whether you’re drawn to its untamed wilderness, its revolutionary inventions, or its unique people, one thing is certain: South Africa is never boring. The country is home to some of the most breathtaking wonders in the world, and a history that is as painful as it is inspiring. But beyond what the history books and travel guides tell you, South Africa is full of oddities that many would simply never believe.
Curious? Buckle up and click through this gallery to discover some of the craziest, weirdest, and most jaw-dropping facts about South Africa.
Striking facts about South Africa
A land of legends, wonders, and the truly unbelievable
TRAVEL Geography
South Africa is a country that refuses to be ordinary. It’s an unpredictable and endlessly fascinating place where people and nature collide in the most unexpected ways. From landscapes that look like they belong on another planet, to cultural traditions that defy logic, this country is a playground of mind-bending discoveries.
Whether you’re drawn to its untamed wilderness, its revolutionary inventions, or its unique people, one thing is certain: South Africa is never boring. The country is home to some of the most breathtaking wonders in the world, and a history that is as painful as it is inspiring. But beyond what the history books and travel guides tell you, South Africa is full of oddities that many would simply never believe.
Curious? Buckle up and click through this gallery to discover some of the craziest, weirdest, and most jaw-dropping facts about South Africa.