Descriptions:

South Africa has one of the continent’s biggest and most developed economies.

Up until 1994 it was ruled by a white minority government, which enforced a separation of races with its policy called apartheid.

The apartheid government eventually negotiated itself out of power after decades of international isolation, armed opposition and mass protests.

The democratically-elected leadership encouraged reconciliation and set about redressing social imbalances, but the economy has struggled.

• Republic of South Africa
• Capital: Pretoria
• Population 50.7 million
• Area 1.22 million sq km (470,693 sq miles)
• Major languages 11 official languages including English, Afrikaans, Sesotho, Setswana, Xhosa and Zulu
• Religions Christianity, Islam, indigenous beliefs
• Life expectancy 53 years (men), 54 years (women)
• Currency Rand