"were held by the British in South Africa. In 2001, Italy ranked 6th in total trade and 10th in total investment in South Africa. Italy is a major producer and consumer of two of South Africa's largest exports, gold and coal. In regards to tourism, more than 37,000 Italians visited South Africa in 2001. In 2002, four direct flight existed between the countries with South African Airways due to open another. Italy–South Africa relations Italy–South Africa relations are foreign relations between the Italian Republic and the Republic of South Africa. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1929. Italy has an"
"both gem stones and industrial diamonds. Diamond production rose in 2005 to over . South Africa produces more platinum and similar metals than any other nation. In 2005, 78% of the world's platinum was produced in South Africa, along with 39% of the world's palladium. Over of platinum was produced in 2010, generating export revenues of $3.82 billion USD. Palladium is produced in two ways: recovery and mining production. Currently Russia and South Africa are the biggest palladium producers in the world. Chromium is another leading product of South Africa's mining industry. The metal, used in stainless steel and for"
"the carbon dioxide fertilisation effect, ranges between tens and hundreds of millions of Rands. According to FAOSTAT, South Africa is one of world's largest producers of: chicory roots (4th); grapefruit (4th); cereals (5th); green maize and maize (7th); castor oil seed (9th); pears (9th); sisal (10th); fibre crops (10th). In the first quarter of 2010, the agricultural sector earned export revenues for R10.1 billion and used R8.4 billion to pay for imported agricultural products, therefore earning a positive trade balance of R1.7 billion. The most important agricultural exports of South Africa include: edible fruit and nuts, beverages, preserved food, tobacco,"
"vermiculite and the second largest producer of ilmenite, palladium, rutile and zirconium. South Africa is one of the ten largest coal producing countries in the world. South Africa is also a huge producer of iron ore; in 2012, it overtook India to become the world third biggest iron ore supplier to China, who are the world's largest consumers of iron ore. The Prince Edward Islands are a pair of islands in the south Indian Ocean; they are the country's only offshore islands. Both islands are of volcanic origin. Marion Island is the larger of the two islands and is one"
"Agriculture in South Africa Agriculture in South Africa contributes around 10% of formal employment, relatively low compared to other parts of Africa, as well as providing work for casual laborers and contributing around 2.6 percent of GDP for the nation. Due to the aridity of the land, only 13.5 percent can be used for crop production, and only 3 percent is considered high potential land. According to FAOSTAT, South Africa is one of the world's largest producers of: chicory roots (4th); grapefruit (4th); cereals (5th); green maize and maize (7th); castor oil seed (9th); pears (9th); sisal (10th); fibre crops"
"in the production of biofuels, or fuel from agricultural crops, with a number of ethanol plants under construction in the grain-producing western region. South Africa is one of the top ten Maize producers in the world (12,365,000 tons ) whereby all of the crops come from the Free State. The Free State is well known for its ""Mielielande"" (corn-fields). Field crops yield almost two-thirds of the gross agricultural income of the province. Animal products contribute a further 30%, with the balance generated by horticulture. Ninety percent of the country's cherry crop is produced in the Ficksburg district, which is also"
"2011, it still represents almost 60% of exports. The mining sector accounts for up to 9% of value added. In 2008, South Africa's estimated share of world platinum production amounted to 77%; kyanite and other materials, 55%; chromium, 45%; palladium, 39%; vermiculite, 39%; vanadium, 38%; zirconium, 30%; manganese, 21%; rutile, 20%; ilmenite, 19%; gold, 11%; fluorspar, 6%; aluminium, 2%; antimony, 2%; iron ore, 2%; nickel, 2%; and phosphate rock, 1%. South Africa also accounted for nearly 5% of the world's polished diamond production by value. The country's estimated share of world reserves of platinum group metals amounted to 89%; hafnium,"
"the Government of Limpopo stopped the process and respected the Northern Sotho people's wishes. Tzaneen produces about 40% of South Africa's avocados, 40% of South Africa's mangoes and 20% of South Africa's bananas. Tzaneen also produces 90% of South Africa's tomatoes through the ZZ2, and other, farms making South Africa the world's 40th largest tomato producer. Even though South Africa is ranked 40th in terms of tomato production, the ZZ2 farms themselves are the world's biggest producer of tomatoes. Tzaneen is also the biggest producer of pine plantations in the Limpopo Province, accounting for more than 85% of Limpopo's pine"
"of total production were China (420 tons +17), Australia (250 tons +5), US (227 tons -8), Russia (218 tons +2), South Africa (145 tons -15). In 2011, all of the world's 14 major producing countries recorded growth in output except for Peru, Indonesia and Brazil (global primary production up 5.5%); list was led by China (355 tons), Australia (270 tons), USA (237 tons), Russia (200 tons), South Africa (190 tons). South Africa's drop in output (down 10% from 2010 to 2012) is not a result of resource depletion but rather high production costs. more recent additions - companies that have"
"meet local demand for about 2.2 million tons per year. Wheat imports in 1992, for example, cost more than US$5 million. Other small grains are grown in localised areas of South Africa. For example, sorghum—which is native to southern Africa—is grown in parts of the Free State, as well as in the North-West and the Northern provinces, with yields often exceeding 200,000 tons. Sorghum has been used since prehistoric times for food and brewing purposes. Barley is also grown, primarily in the Western Cape. Nearly 300,000 tons of barley were produced in 1995. South Africa produces peanuts, sunflower seeds, beans,"
"is a net exporter of farming products. Principal international trading partners of South Africa—besides other African countries—include Germany, the United States, China, Japan, the United Kingdom and Spain. Chief exports include corn, diamonds, fruits, gold, metals and minerals, sugar, and wool. Machinery and transportation equipment make up more than one-third of the value of the country’s imports. Other imports include chemicals, manufactured goods, and lots more, mainly found in other hot country mainly Spanish countries. During apartheid, South Africa's foreign trade and investment were affected by sanctions and boycotts by other countries ideologically opposed to apartheid. In 1970, the United"
"Europe. Energy in South Africa South Africa was the world's sixth hard coal producer in 2009. Hard coal production was 1,620 TWh in 2009 and total energy production 1,995 TWh in 2008. Around 77% of South Africa's energy needs are directly derived from coal and 92% of coal consumed on the African continent is mined in South Africa. South Africa was the sixth top hard coal producer in 2009: 247 Mt hard coal, below Australia 335 Mt and Indonesia 263 Mt and above Russia 229 Mt. South Africa was the fifth top hard coal net exporter in 2009: 67 Mt"
"of the whole region. The South African economy has a large volume of capital (public and private) in close relation to the global economic marketplaces. The currency of South Africa is the rand, which is also used in other countries of Southern Africa. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange is the biggest in Africa and tenth globally. Major sectors of the economy are mining (especially coal extraction), diamonds, gold and platinum. It is among the countries with the greatest reserves and diversity of mineral wealth. It has the most powerful and diversified industry in Africa, from processing of agricultural goods and minerals"
"coal mined in South Africa is exported, most of which leaves the country via Richards Bay. Coal is South Africa's third largest source of foreign exchange; platinum being the largest and gold second. Around 15% of the country's GDP (2000 estimate) is spent on energy and 77% of that is derived from coal. In 2004, the coal and lignite mining industry generated a gross income of R39 billion and directly employed 50,000 people. The Witbank Coalfield accounts for 40% of South Africa's coal production. The five largest coal mining companies account for around 85% of all production. They are Anglo"
"production. Major suppliers are South Africa, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Guinea, and Mali. South Africa had been first in the world in terms of gold production since 1905, but in 2007 it moved to second place, according to GFMS, the precious metals consultancy. Uranium is major commodity from the region. Significant suppliers are Niger, Namibia, and South Africa. Namibia was the number one supplier from Sub-Saharan Africa in 2008. The region produces 49% of the world's diamonds. By 2015, it is estimated that 25% of North American oil will be from Sub-Saharan Africa, ahead of the Middle East. Sub-Saharan Africa has"
"Energy in South Africa South Africa was the world's sixth hard coal producer in 2009. Hard coal production was 1,620 TWh in 2009 and total energy production 1,995 TWh in 2008. Around 77% of South Africa's energy needs are directly derived from coal and 92% of coal consumed on the African continent is mined in South Africa. South Africa was the sixth top hard coal producer in 2009: 247 Mt hard coal, below Australia 335 Mt and Indonesia 263 Mt and above Russia 229 Mt. South Africa was the fifth top hard coal net exporter in 2009: 67 Mt hard"
"in the world. In 1955 Sasol opened the first commercial Coal liquefaction plant. Commercialization of copper indium gallium sulphur selenide (CIGSSE) thin film solar cell technology was pioneered by Professor Vivian Alberts at the University of Johannesburg. The South African Solar Challenge is held bi-annually over a distance of . Kimberley, was the first city in the Southern Hemisphere and in Africa to have electric street lights - first lit on 1 September 1882 . South African companies hold a considerable number of high value patents related to mining. 10% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of South Africa is"
"Africa's renowned wine industry, which dates back to the seventeenth-century vineyards introduced by French Huguenot immigrants. More than 100,000 hectares of land are planted in vineyards, centred primarily in the Western Cape. Smaller vineyards are also found in the Northern Cape, Free State, and Northern Province. One of the noticeable signs of the end of international sanctions against South Africa was a dramatic increase in worldwide demand for South African wines in 1994 and 1995. Sugarcane is also an important export crop, and South Africa is the world's tenth largest sugar producer. Sugarcane was first cultivated in mid-nineteenth-century Natal. Production"
"Economy of South Africa The economy of South Africa is the second largest in Africa, after Nigeria. It is one of most industrialized countries in Africa. South Africa is an upper-middle-income economy by the World Bank – one of only four such countries in Africa (alongside Botswana, Gabon and Mauritius). Since 1996, at the end of over twelve years of international sanctions, South Africa's Gross Domestic Product almost tripled to peak at $400 billion in 2011, but has since declined to roughly $295 billion in both 2016 and 2017. In the same period, foreign exchange reserves increased from $3 billion"
"cover story for recovering a sunken Soviet submarine. In South Africa, most identified deposits are located near Hotazel in the Northern Cape Province, with a 2011 estimate of 15 billion tons. In 2011 South Africa produced 3.4 million tons, topping all other nations. Manganese is mainly mined in South Africa, Australia, China, Gabon, Brazil, India, Kazakhstan, Ghana, Ukraine and Malaysia. US Import Sources (1998–2001): Manganese ore: Gabon, 70%; South Africa, 10%; Australia, 9%; Mexico, 5%; and other, 6%. Ferromanganese: South Africa, 47%; France, 22%; Mexico, 8%; Australia, 8%; and other, 15%. Manganese contained in all manganese imports: South Africa, 31%;"
"the BRICS group of now-five emerging-market nations at the summit held in Sanya, Hainan, China. Economy of South Africa The economy of South Africa is the second largest in Africa, after Nigeria. It is one of most industrialized countries in Africa. South Africa is an upper-middle-income economy by the World Bank – one of only four such countries in Africa (alongside Botswana, Gabon and Mauritius). Since 1996, at the end of over twelve years of international sanctions, South Africa's Gross Domestic Product almost tripled to peak at $400 billion in 2011, but has since declined to roughly $295 billion in"
"Nigeria is by far the world's largest producer of yams, producing over 38 million tonnes in 2012. The second through 8th largest yam producers were all nearby African countries, with the largest non-African producer, Papua New Guinea, producing less than 1% of Nigerian production. In 2013, according to the FAO, Brazil and India were by far the world's leading producers of sugarcane, with a combined production of over 1 billion tonnes, or over half of worldwide production. In the summer of 2018, heat waves probably linked to climate change cause much lower than average yield in many parts of the"
"(1 January 2017 est.) Agriculture - products: cotton, cashew nuts, sugar cane, tea, cassava (tapioca), coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits; potatoes, sunflowers, beef, poultry Exports: $4.773 billion (2017 est.) Exports - commodities: aluminum, prawns, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber; bulk electricity Exports - partners: India 28.1%, Netherlands 24.4%, South Africa 16.7% (2017) Imports: $5.021 billion (2017 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, chemicals, metal products, foodstuffs, textiles Imports - partners: South Africa 36.8%, China 7%, UAE 6.8%, India 6.2%, Portugal 4.4% (2017) Debt - external: $10.27 billion (31 December 2017 est.) Currency: 1 metical (Mt) ="
"from gold exports provided sufficient capital to purchase much-needed machinery and petroleum products to support an expanding manufacturing base. As of 2007, the South African mining industry employs 493,000 workers. The industry represents 18% of South Africa's $588 billion USD Gross Domestic Product. South Africa is the world's third largest coal exporter, and much of the country's coal is used for power production. (about 40%) 77% of South Africa's energy needs are provided by coal. South Africa accounted A percentage of 15% of the world's gold production in 2002 and 12% in 2005, though the nation had produced as much"
"the primary use of platinum in industry. Meanwhile, other costs have risen, putting pressure on the mining industry. In 2013, roughly half of South Africa mining shafts operated at a net loss. The market is controlled primarily by three companies - Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), Impala Platinum (Implats), and Lonmin. Amplats is the world's largest producer of platinum. Workers are mostly represented by either the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) or the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). Potential layoffs are a particularly sensitive issue in South Africa, as 25% of the country is unemployed. On January 23, 2014,"
"the decision of the World Bank's approval for a $3.75 billion loan to build the world’s fourth-largest coal-fired power in South Africa. The plant will increase the demand for coal mining and production. Protesters are urging the bank to stop supporting the development of coal plants and other large emitters of greenhouse gas and polluting operations from coal mining. Usage of coal and liquid fuel derived from coal accounts for around 86% of the 113 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions South Africa produces annually (2006 estimate) and represents around 40% of Africa's total coal derived CO emissions. The largest"
"South Africa). The city is a manufacturing base for several multi-national companies including, Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, Levi Strauss & Co., Adidas, Bokomo Foods, Yoco and Nampak. Much of the produce is handled through the Port of Cape Town or Cape Town International Airport. Most major shipbuilding companies have offices and manufacturing locations in Cape Town. The Province is also a centre of energy development for the country, with the existing Koeberg nuclear power station providing energy for the Western Cape's needs. The Western Cape is an important tourist region in South Africa; the tourism industry accounts for 9.8% of"
"Leone (diamond), and Sudan (petroleum and gold). Minerals and mineral fuels accounted for more than 50% of the export earnings of Mali (gold), Mauritania (iron ore), Mozambique (aluminum), Namibia (diamond, uranium, gold, and zinc), and Zambia (copper and cobalt). Ongoing mining projects of more than $1 billion are taking place in South Africa (platinum, gold), Guinea (bauxite, aluminum), Madagascar (nickel), Mozambique (coal), Congo and Zambia (cobalt, copper), Nigeria and Sudan (crude petroleum), and Senegal (iron). Africa produced about 10.7 Mbpd of oil in 2005, 12% of the 84 Mbpd produced worldwide. Around one half of that is produced in north"
"world's largest primary producers of platinum group metals (PGMs). A series of violent confrontations occurred between platinum mine workers on strike and the South African Police Service on Thursday, 16 August 2012, and resulted in the deaths of 34 individuals (30 were miners and 4 protesters), as well as the injury of an additional 78 miners. Occurring in the post-apartheid era, it was the deadliest incident of violence between police and the civilian population in South Africa since the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre which prompted South African President Jacob Zuma to set up an investigation. Gordon Farlam was appointed as the"
"manufacturers in South Africa, and more than 150 others that supply the industry on a non-exclusive basis. The industry is concentrated in two provinces, the Eastern Cape and Gauteng. Companies producing in South Africa can take advantage of the low production costs and the access to new markets as a result of trade agreements with the European Union and the Southern African Development Community. After a steep decline of 10.4% in 2009, the manufacturing sector performed well in 2010, growing by 5%, though this rebound was limited to the automotive, basic chemicals, iron and steel and food and beverages industries."
"in their electricity use. South Africa supplies 85% of the world's platinum and 30% of palladium. Mining companies estimate that hundreds of thousands of ounces of both gold and platinum production will be lost every year until the crisis passes. Estimates on the direct economic impact are not yet available, but given South Africa's reliance on precious metals exports to finance its current account deficit, traders have severely downgraded the currency. Due primarily to the impact on mining companies, economists have downgraded GDP growth forecasts significantly. The current consensus hovers around 4% (well short of the 6% government target), with"
"2014 South African platinum strike On 15 November 2014 workers at South Africa's major platinum producers – Anglo American Platinum, Impala Platinum, and Lonmin – went on strike demanding that wages be immediately doubled. However, after five months of striking they settled for a more modest pay increase spread over three years. It was the longest and most expensive strike in South African history. South Africa is home to 80% of the world's known platinum reserves, and produces about 70% of the world's supply. Platinum prices have been flat since 2009 or so, due to weak demand for catalytic converters,"
"economies. South Africa is the seventh most biodiverse country in the world. The country encompasses about and has about 10% of all plant species on Earth. South Africa and seventeen other countries are considered mega diverse which means those countries contain 70% of the planet's biodiversity. South Africa's unique geography allows the country to support such a diverse population of plants and animals. It is important to protect biodiversity in South Africa because people still rely on natural resources for food and medicine. Plants and flowers are widely used as traditional forms of medicine and treatment for common ailments. The"