Southern Africa Map
Southern Africa occupies the southernmost tip of the African continent. This compact region of five countries features diverse landscapes from the Kalahari Desert to lush subtropical coastlines. Two of the world's most unique enclaved countries, Lesotho and Eswatini, are found here. Learn to identify each country by its shape and borders.
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Study the Countries
South Africa South Africa
Borders: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho
Area: 1,221,037 km² · Coastline: 2,798 km
South Africa occupies the southern tip of the African continent, with coastlines on both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The country completely surrounds the kingdom of Lesotho and nearly surrounds Eswatini. Its terrain includes the high central plateau (veld), the Drakensberg mountain range in the east, and the semi-arid Karoo region.
Shape: A large country at the very bottom of Africa with a distinctive flat southern coastline and a small notch (Lesotho) carved out of its eastern interior.
Fun Facts
- South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho, making it one of the few countries that enclaves another nation.
- The Cape of Good Hope in South Africa is where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet.
- South Africa has three capital cities: Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative), and Bloemfontein (judicial).
Botswana Botswana
Borders: Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia
Area: 581,730 km² · Landlocked
Botswana is a landlocked country in the center of Southern Africa. The Kalahari Desert covers about 70% of its territory. The Okavango Delta in the northwest is the world's largest inland delta, creating a lush wetland in the middle of the desert. The country is flat with gentle rolling terrain.
Shape: A roughly circular landlocked country north of South Africa, with relatively straight borders on most sides.
Fun Facts
- Botswana is home to the Okavango Delta, the world's largest inland delta, which never reaches the sea.
- The Kalahari Desert covers approximately 70% of Botswana's land surface.
- Botswana has a unique quadripoint border where it meets Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia at a single point.
Namibia Namibia
Borders: Angola, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa
Area: 824,292 km² · Coastline: 1,572 km
Namibia is located on the southwestern coast of Africa, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The Namib Desert runs along the entire coastline, while the Kalahari Desert occupies the east. The Caprivi Strip, a narrow panhandle in the northeast, extends the country toward Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Shape: A large country on the southwest coast of Africa with a distinctive long, narrow panhandle (Caprivi Strip) extending northeast from the main body.
Fun Facts
- Namibia's Caprivi Strip is a narrow panhandle about 450 km long, created by colonial border agreements to give access to the Zambezi River.
- The Namib Desert is considered the oldest desert in the world, at approximately 55 million years old.
- Namibia was the first African country to incorporate environmental protection into its constitution.
Lesotho Lesotho
Borders: South Africa
Area: 30,355 km² · Landlocked
Lesotho is a small, mountainous country completely surrounded by South Africa, making it one of only three countries in the world that are enclaved within another. It is the only country in the world that lies entirely above 1,000 meters in elevation. The Drakensberg and Maluti mountain ranges dominate the landscape.
Shape: A small, roughly oval-shaped country completely enclosed within the eastern part of South Africa.
Fun Facts
- Lesotho is the only country in the world that lies entirely above 1,000 meters in elevation.
- Lesotho is completely surrounded by South Africa, making it one of the world's few enclaved countries.
- The country is often called the "Kingdom in the Sky" due to its high elevation.
Eswatini Eswatini
Borders: South Africa, Mozambique
Area: 17,364 km² · Landlocked
Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) is a small landlocked country in southeastern Africa, almost entirely surrounded by South Africa with a short border with Mozambique to the east. The terrain descends from mountains in the west to lowland savanna in the east. Despite its small size, it has remarkably diverse landscapes.
Shape: A very small, roughly oval country tucked into the northeastern border of South Africa, near Mozambique.
Fun Facts
- Eswatini is one of the smallest countries in Africa, smaller than the US state of New Jersey.
- The country was renamed from Swaziland to Eswatini in 2018.
- Eswatini is one of the few remaining absolute monarchies in the world.
Quick Reference
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About Southern Africa Geography
Southern Africa is defined by its remarkable geographic diversity within a compact region. From the Kalahari and Namib Deserts to the Drakensberg Mountains and the lush coastal regions, the landscape changes dramatically across short distances. The region includes two of the world's most unique political geographies: Lesotho, entirely surrounded by South Africa, and Eswatini, nearly so.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries are in Southern Africa?
Southern Africa has 5 countries: Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, and South Africa. This is the narrowest definition of the region; broader definitions sometimes include neighboring countries.
Which country in Southern Africa is completely enclaved?
Lesotho is completely surrounded by South Africa, making it one of only three enclaved countries in the world (along with Vatican City and San Marino).
What is the largest country in Southern Africa?
South Africa is the largest country in Southern Africa at approximately 1.22 million km², followed by Namibia at 824,292 km² and Botswana at 581,730 km².