South Africa is a country on the southernmost tip of the African continent, marked by several distinct ecosystems. The country was named the Union of South Africa in English, and Unie van Zuid-Afrika in Dutch, reflecting its origin from the unification of four formerly separate British colonies. Since 1961, the long formal name in English has been the “Republic of South Africa” and Republiek van Suid-Afrika in Afrikaans.

It’s true that the country isn’t perfect with high levels of corruption and petty crime, but the country’s rich history, natural beauty, and international culture make it a hot spot with travelers from around the world. South Africa has three capital cities: executive Pretoria, judicial Bloemfontein and legislative Cape Town and my recommendation to visit there is when it’s winter in the Northern Hemisphere so you can enjoy their summer.