Biodiversity & Cultural Diversity In South Africa

South Africa is filled with a variety of cultures. With 11 official languages, South Africa is often referred to as the Rainbow Nation (Hattingh, 2013). The food, music, and fashion are just a few of the things that make the country a beautiful place. In addition, there is a unique biodiversity. The Indian Figure 1

Ocean, on the east, is warmed by the Mozambique or Agulhas Current which flows down from the tropics, while the Atlantic, on the west coast, is cooled by the icy Benguela Current which comes up from the Antarctic ("Two oceans & biodiversity," 2013). The two oceans and many lands of South Africa lead to a complex culture.

South Africa has the third-highest level of biodiversity in the world ("Two oceans & biodiversity," 2013). There are many biomes in the country due to the great amount of climate and land conditions. Some of these are known as Karoo, fynbos, forest, grassland and savanna biomes (Collins, 2001). Within these biomes are different animal and plant species. Like many places around the world, the increasing number of people along with their demands of the environment threatens nature in South Africa. Figure 2

The country has an environment ideal for farming so, the traditional foods consists of starches and meats (http://www.everyculture.com/SaTh/South-Africa.html). However, because of the variety of cultural influences, there are many national dishes.

Figure 3

Sources Collins, J. (2001, February 1). Biodiversity in South Africa. Retrieved from http://www.botany.uwc.ac.za/envfacts/facts/biosa.htm Coplan, D. (2013). South Africa. Retrieved from http://www.everyculture.com/SaTh/South-Africa.html Hattingh, M. (2013, June 13). Cultural diversity in South Africa. Retrieved from http://www.dreamstoreality.co.za/cultural-diversity-in-south-africa/ Two oceans & biodiversity. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.southafrica.info/about/geography/biodiversity.htm

Figure 1 (2013). Biomes in South Africa [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.southafrica.info/about/geography/biodiversity.htm Figure 2 (2013). Proteas at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in Cape Town [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.southafrica.info/about/geography/biodiversity.htm Figure 3 (2013). Cultural diversity in South Africa [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.dreamstoreality.co.za/cultural-diversity-in-south-africa/