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After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of loose diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British encroachments, but were defeated in the Boer War (1899-1902). The resulting Union of South Africa operated under a policy of apartheid - the separate development of the races. The 1990s brought an end to apartheid politically and ushered in black majority rule.
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Cheryl Carolus, former South Afrian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and CEO of South Africa Tourism, describes South Africa as "a destination with lots to offer" where "visitors experience the warm welcome of all our people."
Moeketsi Mosola, CEO of South Africa Tourism in 2005, said that the growth of the South African tourism industry "confirms that tourism has the potential to significantly improve the living standards of all South Africans".
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Country
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Surface Area: 1,219,912 square km
Population: 42,718,530 (July 2004 est.)
Located in: Southern Africa
Capital City: Pretoria (Cape Town is the legislative center and Bloemfontein the judicial center)
Head of State: Thabo MBEKI
Prime Minister: Thabo MBEKI
Independent since: 31 May 1910 (from UK)
Currency: Rand (ZAR)
Flag (image): 
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