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Flag of South Africa
ZA · Africa

South Africa

South Africa occupies the southern tip of Africa, where Atlantic and Indian Ocean routes meet. It is known for mineral wealth, biodiversity, major cities, wildlife, 11 official languages, and modern democratic institutions.

Capital
Pretoria
Currency
South African rand (ZAR)
Languages
Afrikaans, English, Southern Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
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Flag of Botswana
BW · Africa

Botswana

Botswana is a sovereign country in Southern Africa bordered by Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and others. Gaborone is the capital; key languages include English and Tswana; the listed currency is Botswana pula (BWP); population is about 2.6M.

Capital
Gaborone
Currency
Botswana pula (BWP)
Languages
English, Tswana
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Data battlecard

Scan the differences

Population

South Africa65.5M
UN DESA · 2026 medium projection
Botswana2.6M
UN DESA · 2026 medium projection

GDP

South Africa$427.2B
2025 · current USD
Botswana$19.9B
2025 · current USD

GDP per person

South Africa$6.6K
2025 · current USD
Botswana$7.8K
2025 · current USD

GDP growth

South Africa1.1%
2025 annual growth
Botswana-0.7%
2025 annual growth

Life expectancy

South Africa66.7 years
UN DESA · 2026 medium projection
Botswana69.6 years
UN DESA · 2026 medium projection

Area

South Africa1,221,037 km²
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Botswana582,000 km²
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Median age

South Africa28.9 years
UN DESA · 2026 medium projection
Botswana23.7 years
UN DESA · 2026 medium projection

Urban share

South Africa63.8%
World Bank · 2025
Botswana68.0%
World Bank · 2025

Guess bigger

Which has more people?

South Africa
Botswana
Reveal answer

South Africa leads this comparison with 65.5M people.

Sovereign country profile

South Africa essentials

Subregion
Southern Africa
Time zones
South Africa Standard Time (UTC+2)
Driving side
Left
Plug types
Type C / M / N
Emergency
112 mobile; police 10111; ambulance 10177
  • Pretoria is the capital city.
  • South Africa covers 1,221,037 km².
  • South Africa has coastal access.
Sovereign country profile

Botswana essentials

Subregion
Southern Africa
Time zones
Profile-specific value pending
Driving side
Left
Plug types
Profile-specific value pending
Emergency
Check official guidance
  • Gaborone is the capital city.
  • Botswana covers 582,000 km².
  • Botswana is landlocked.