When it comes to living in South Africa, one cannot deny the fact that we live in one of the greatest countries in the world.
Despite the country’s challenges, South Africa is not without its beauty and has much to brag about. For example, did you know Cape Town’s Castle of Good Hope is the oldest building in South Africa? It was built by the Dutch East India Company between 1666 and 1679.
Here are other interesting facts about South Africa, that you possibly did not know:
Baberton Greenstone Belt
The Barberton Mountain range, situated in Mpumalanga, is over 3.5 billion years old. It remains one of the best preserved and least altered early Archaean rock formations in the world.
But that is not the only thing special about it. Not many know this, but a bacterial microfossil Archaeospheroides barbertonis was discovered here. This microfossil is believed to have been the first form of life on earth.
NASA is reputed to often visit this area and study the rocks, to gain a better understanding of how life could form on other planets.
The Vredefort Dome
Move aside America with your Roswell and Area 51. Apart from being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Vredefort Dome is currently the largest, and one of the oldest meteor sites in the world.
In fact, it even has its own magnetic field. It is believed the meteor impact occurred over two billion years ago.
The crater is 300km wide, and the meteor was believed to have been roughly 10km across. That is enormous. Imagine a meteor that size landing in the CBD today!?
J.R.R. Tolkien and the South African Link
Who didn’t enjoy the Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings? It is truly one of the greatest series of books ever written? However, do you know J.R.R. Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein in 1892?
When we do endurance sports, we go big
South Africa is home to the largest timed cycle race in the world, the iconic Cape Argus. It also houses the world oldest and biggest ultra-marathon, the Comrades Marathon. Then there is the fact that South Africa hosts the world’s largest open water swimming event, the Midmar Mile.
From iconic authors, old castles, meteor landings and legendary sporting events, South Africa is truly one of a kind. Love your country and all who call it home, as there is no other country like it on our beautiful planet.
