1. The Kruger National Park nature reserve supports the greatest variety of wildlife species on the African continent. It is roughly the size of Wales, or the state of Massachusetts (USA), which makes it the eighth largest reserve in the world.
2. Home to one of the world’s 6 floral kingdoms, South Africa has one-tenth (23 200) of the world’s flowering plants, of which nearly 19 000 are endemic, making it the richest region in the world in terms of species to area - 1.7 times richer even than Brazil. It is the only country in the world to contain an entire floral kingdom.
3. It is home to more kinds of mammals than North and South America combined; or Europe and Asia together.
4. South African grasslands have approximately 30 species per square kilometer, greater than the biodiversity of rainforests.
5. Table Mountain in Cape Town is believed to be one of the oldest mountains in the world. Standing at just over 1000 metres, it dominates the city’s skyline. Table Mountain can be seen as far as 200 kilometres out to sea.
6. South Africa has the third highest level of biodiversity in the world.
7. Paarl is South Africa’s third oldest town and home to KWV Cellars- the largest wine cellar in the world (covering 22 hectares).
8. Kimberley’s ‘Big Hole’ is the largest hand-dug hole in the world and is deeper than Table Mountain is high. Kimberley also has the only drive-in pubs in the world.
9. Mpumalanga province is home to the Blyderiver Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world - and the largest green one. The Grand Canyon in the U.S. is the biggest, and the Fish River Canyon in Namibia the second, but both are very dry.
10. The Tugela Falls in KwaZulu Natal, at 948m (3110ft), is the second highest waterfall in the world.
11. The world’s best land-based whale-watching spot is located in Hermanus, Western Cape.
12. Mossel Bay is in the Guinness Book of records as having the second most moderate climate in the world.

This but to name a few interesting facts about our Wonderful Country, South Africa. See you there…

Tags: south africa, south africa kruger, south africa safari. safari in south africa

This entry was posted on Monday, October 20th, 2008 at 10:31 am and is filed under Kruger Park news and Facts. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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