South Africa is located at the southern tip of Africa. It is bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland, and it completely surrounds the tiny country of Lesotho. South Africa is a vast country with widely varying landscapes, eleven official languages and equally diverse peoples. It is renowned for its wines and is the world's largest producer of gold. South Africa has a strong economy and is an influential player in African politics. In 2010 South Africa will host the first World Cup ever to be held on the African continent.
South Africa is a paradise for anyone interested in natural history. A wide range of wildlife species may be encountered in parks, farms, private reserves and even on the roads. For this reason, South Africa is a major safari destination. There are hiking trails available in almost all the parks and around geographical places of interest.