World Enivironmental Issues Brief

  • LARGE AREAS SUBJECT TO OVERPOPULATION
  • INDUSTRIAL DISASTERS
  • POLLUTION (air, water, acid rain, toxic substances)
  • LOSS OF VEGETATION (overgrazing, deforestation, desertification)
  • LOSS OF WILDLIFE
  • SOIL DEGRADATION
  • SOIL DEPLETION
  • EROSION
  • GLOBAL WARMING

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Global Issues Snapshots

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South Africa

— Current Environmental Issues —
lack of important arterial rivers or lakes requires extensive water conservation and control measures; growth in water usage outpacing supply; pollution of rivers from agricultural runoff and urban discharge; air pollution resulting in acid rain; soil erosion; desertification

— Health Indicators —
HIV / AIDS prevalancy rate: 21.5
Fertility Rate: 2.2
Infant Mortality Rate: 59.4
Life Expectancy at Birth: Male: 43.2
Life Expectancy at Birth: Female: 42.0
Life Expectancy at Birth: Total Population: 42.5

— Population —
Population Total: 43,997,828
Population Growth Rate: -0.5

— Economic Indicators —
GDP Real Growth Rate: 4.5
Military Expendatures Percent of GDP: 1.9
Unemployment Rate: 25.5
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.0
GDP Per Capita PPP: 13,000
Population Below Poverty Line: 50
    (Definitions of poverty vary considerably among nations.)

— Education and Communications —
Global Issues Snapshots
Global Issues Snapshots
Bordering country: Botswana
Bordering country: Lesotho
Bordering country: Mozambique
Bordering country: Namibia
Bordering country: Swaziland
Bordering country: Zimbabwe

— Background —
After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British encroachments but were defeated in the Boer War (1899-1902). The resulting Union of South Africa operated under a policy of apartheid - the separate development of the races. The 1990s brought an end to apartheid politically and ushered in black majority rule.