THE NATIONAL PARKS OF SOUTH AFRICA

In South Africa aproximadamente150 State Natural Reserves, of which 21 are National Parks and there are numerous nature reserves, provincial and private.
South African National Parks, protected fauna and flora native to the area in which they are located, hence the importance and particular beauty of each.
Among the animal species most commonly seen are the "Big 5": lion, leopard, buffalo, elephants and rhinos.
Also zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, hippos, jackals, hyenas and antelopes: impala, kudu, springbok, waterbok, eland, gemsbok, among others, reptiles: alligators, snakes, iguanas, etc.
This country is also the habitat of more than 23,000 species of indigenous flowering plants.
Kruger Park is the largest and most important of South Africa, renowned internationally as the King of the National Parks, the delicate ecological balance management, a product of experience gained by more than a century, an area of 2,000,000 hectares . has 147 different species of mammals, including "Big 5"
507 species of birds, 114 species of reptiles and 33 species of amphibians. In total 801 species of animals and a huge variety of vegetation.

Languages of South Africa

South Africa is a Multilanguage country; it has eleven officials’ languages. They are Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Sotho, Swazi, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu. Less than one percent of South Africans speak any other language as their home language.
Other languages spoken in South Africa and mentioned in the Constitution are the Khoi, Nama and San languages, sign language, Arabic, German, Greek, Gujarati, Hebrew, Hindi, Portuguese, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telegu and Urdu.
English is generally understood across the country, being the language of business, politics and the media, and the country's lingua franca. But it only ranks joint fifth out of 11 as a home language.
The most common languages are:

• Afrikaans: is a language originating from the Dutch, with influences from English, Malay, German, Portuguese, French and some African languages. It`s came into its own with the growth of Afrikaner identity, being declared an official language since 1925.
• English: Have been both a highly influential language in South Africa, and a language influenced, in turn, by adaptation in the country's different communities. Today is the country's lingua franca, and the primary language of government, business, and commerce. It is a compulsory subject in all schools, and the medium of instruction in most schools and tertiary institutions. South African English is an established and unique dialect, with strong influences from Afrikaans and the country's many African languages.

Many South Africans speak any other language as their home language.
Other languages spoken in South Africa and mentioned in the Constitution are the Khoi, Nama and San languages, sign language, Arabic, German, Greek, Gujarati, Hebrew, Hindi, Portuguese, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telegu and Urdu.
English is generally understood across the country, being the language of business, politics and the media, and the country's lingua franca. But it only ranks joint fifth out of 11 as a home language.
South Africa's linguistic diversity means all 11 languages have had a profound effect on each other. South African English, for example, is littered with words and phrases from Afrikaans, isiZulu, Nama and other African languages.

DANZAS SUDAFRICANAS.

Music and dance. The Indian music and traditional African dances have been passed down through oral tradition. African music is different in the north and south. Arabic influences are significant in music and dance of North Africa, while Western influence is evident in these areas, due to settlement in South Africa.


Many African languages are tone languages, so the sound level determines the meaning. The latter affects the melodies and African rhythms. In the black continent using different instruments, among which are: drums (most used), bells, lute, flute and trumpet.


African dances are important mode of communication and dancers use gestures, masks, costumes, body paint and a host of visual aids. The basic movements are usually simple, emphasizing the body, torso or feet only, such movements tend to be simple coordination of body parts. The dances are sometimes carried out alone or in small groups of two to three people, although the dance is practiced in team formations: line, circle, serpentine, among others.


With modernization and urbanization, African music and dance have been involved again in influences from other cultures.

History of Rugby in South Africa...

South Africa was instrumental in the creation of the Rugby World Cup competition, the Springboks did not compete in the first two World Cups in 1987 and 1991 because of anti-apartheid sporting boycotts of South Africa. The team made its World Cup debut in 1995, when the newly democratic South Africa hosted the tournament. The Springboks then defeated the All Blacks 15-12 in the final, which is now remembered as one of the greatest moments in South Africa's sporting history, and a watershed moment in the post-Apartheid nation-building process. South Africa regained their title as champions 12 years later, when they defeated England 15–6 in the 2007 final. As a result of the 2007 World Cup tournament, the Springboks were promoted to first place in the IRB World Rankings.