South Africa a land of contrasts…..

Since my return to SA in 2010, I have started to view my home country in a different light . They say we often don’t realise the worth of something until its gone.

 
This statement proved true as during my time in the UK I clung onto everything that was South African from mementos to food items even things I never eat here at home in SA .

Some time ago I came across, a Twitter competition it entailed listing facts about what makes South Africa special. During my Google searches I found some very interesting facts.
This prompted me to write this blog and share this:

 Table Mountain is believed to be the oldest mountains in the world.
 Table Mountain alone has 1,500 species of plants, more than the entire United Kingdom.
 South Africa is the second largest exporter of fruit in the World.
 South Africa has the longest wine route in the world.
 South Africa is rated 3rd in the world in supplying safe, drinkable tap water.
 Walt Disney serves South African wine exclusively in its 73 acre Animal Lodge in USA.
 South Africa is the only country in the world to voluntarily abandon its nuclear weapons program.
 South Africa is the world’s largest producer of Macadamia nuts.
 SA is home to the worlds smallest succulent plant and the largest (Baobab Tree).
 We have the only street in the world to house 2 Nobel Peace prize winners is in Soweto, Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu both have houses on Vilakazi Street in Soweto.
 SA has the third highest level of biodiversity in the world.
 SA has deserts , mountains, escarpments ,plateaus,grasslands, bush, wetlands and subtropical forests.
 Most of the world’s proto – mammalian fossils are found in the Karoo region.
 The Karoo region is home to some of the best fossils of early dinosaurs.
 SA has the most luxurious train in the world , The Rovos Rail.
 The oldest remains of modern humans were found in Klasies River Cave in the Eastern Cape.They are well over 100,000 years old.
 SA is first country in Africa to host the Rugby, Cricket and Soccer World Cups.
 Kruger National Park supports the greatest variety of wildlife species in the African continent.
 Dr Christiaan Barnard performed the 1ST human heart transplant in the world in 1967.
 3 of the 5 fastest land animals live in SA.
 General Motors SA is the only place outside the USA to build the Hummer H3.
 SA has 11 official languages.
 SA is home to 7 of the World’s Heritage Sites.

After trolling through my Google searches I was so amazed or should I say gobsmacked.
Hard to believe we are rated in the world for so much, yet we the citizens of SA don’t pay attention to these amazing facts. It now makes sense why so many overseas visitors flock to SA year after year and its not only for our weather .
So I urge you take time to explore the amazing country you live in where ever you are in the world. Be proud of your heritage …………..

What is your favourite thing about South Africa ?
Be Inspired !
Ciao