Download physical map of south africa

Geography: Grade 5
Physical Features of South Africa: Physical Map of South Africa
PHYSICAL MAP OF SOUTH AFRICA
The surface of South Africa is not flat. The uneven surface has to do with the structure or
topography of the land. Landforms such as coastal plains, lowlands, plateaus, mountains and
rivers make up the structure of the land.
South Africa‟s surface is divided into the following areas, as shown in the map below:
• The interior plateau
• The coastal plain
• The escarpment
If you look at the physical map of South Africa below, you will see that different parts of
South Africa are situated on different altitudes above sea level. The different elevations are
called „reliefs‟.
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Geography: Grade 5
Physical Features of South Africa: Physical Map of South Africa
Different colours are used on a physical map to indicate the different altitudes above sea level
(elevations), as indicated below:
Dark green - lowest areas, for example the coastal regions
Yellow or light green - just higher than the green areas, for example the Little Karoo
Orange and brown - higher areas
Dark brown - mountains
Purple - highest mountain peaks
Blue - water
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Geography: Grade 5
Physical Features of South Africa: Physical Map of South Africa
A cross-section of the topography of South Africa looks more or less like an upside-down
saucer.
Most of South Africa lies above sea level.
The cross section of South Africa from west to east shows the coastlines and coastal plain at
each end of the country, the plateau in the interior and the escarpment on the east.
Coastline and Coastal Plains
The coastline is the area where the land meets the sea.
False Bay, Cape Town
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Geography: Grade 5
Physical Features of South Africa: Physical Map of South Africa
The coastal plain is the low-lying area along the coast. The coastal plain of South Africa
forms a narrow band between the sea and the mountains of the escarpment. It is at its widest
in the Southern Cape and Natal.
Escarpment
The escarpment indicates where the plateau of the interior begins, and forms an unbroken
mountain chain. There are a number of mountain ranges in the escarpment, the highest being
the Drakensberg. The escarpment prevents moist air from the sea reaching the interior
plateau, which causes frequent droughts in the interior of the country.
Drakensberg
Interior Plateau
The interior plateau is the vast stretch of land that is situated to the interior of the
escarpment. It covers the greatest part of South Africa and lies from 900 m (west) to 3 000 m
(east) above sea level.
The map below shows the main physical regions of South Africa.
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Geography: Grade 5
Physical Features of South Africa: Physical Map of South Africa
The Highveld
The region known as the Highveld of South
Africa is found in the interior plateau, starting east
of Johannesburg and includes part of
Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West and
Limpopo as well as most of Gauteng.
The term veld (Afrikaans) refers to the wide, open
spaces found in South Africa, in particular those
found covered in grass or low scrub.
Map of Location of the Highveld
Wikimedia Public Domain
Highveld
The Highveld is bordered by the Lowveld in the north, the Drakensberg mountains to the east,
the Kalahari desert to the west and the Great Karoo to the south west.
This area is mostly 1 500 metres above sea level and has a flat or gently sloping terrain,
grasslands and a subtropical climate.
In some areas, the distinct escarpment on the edge of the plateau can be seen.
The Lowveld
North east of the interior plateau, beyond the escarpment, is an area known
as the Lowveld. This area has a lower altitude than the interior plateau and
is generally hotter than the Highveld.
Lowveld
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Physical Features of South Africa: Physical Map of South Africa
Kalahari
The Kalahari is a huge sandy basin that covers a large part of South Africa, Botswana,
Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The Kalahari Desert is found in the basin and
covers parts of South Africa, Namibia and Botswana.
Kalahari Basin,
Wikimedia Public Domain
The Kalahari is a large, semi arid sandy savannah. It is an area
that has very low rainfall of between 76 – 190 mm per year and
very high temperatures in summer, up to 45°C.
The only permanent river found here is the Okavango River,
which flows into a delta in the north west.
Despite it being so dry, the Kalahari supports a variety of
plants and animals. It is home to the Bushmen who have lived
there as hunter-gathers for over 20,000 years.
Okavango River
Kalahari Desert
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Geography: Grade 5
Physical Features of South Africa: Physical Map of South Africa
The Karoo
There is an area between the sea and the escarpment where one first has to climb a few
“steps” to reach the escarpment. These “steps” are located in an area called the Karoo.
“Karoo” is a word meaning hard. The Karoo is therefore a hard, dry region.
Karoo Landscape
The Karoo is made up of two flat smaller plateaux between mountain ranges.
From the south coast (Mossel Bay) the land rises gradually from the coastal plain to the
Outeniqua and the Langeberg mountains. The low-lying area that follows this and lies just
before the Swartberg Mountains, is called the Little Karoo.
To the north of the Swartberg range lies the Great Karoo, which is situated one step higher
than the Little Karoo. It is found just before the Nuweveld Mountains, which form part of the
escarpment.
Karoo Eco-Region,
Wikimedia Public Domain,
Courtesy of NASA
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Physical Features of South Africa: Physical Map of South Africa
Namaqualand
Namaqualand is an arid region that stretches from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to Pofadder
in the east. The northern area, also known as Great Namaqualand lies in Namibia and the
southern area or Little Namaqualand, forms part of South Africa‟s Northern Cape Province.
The most notable feature is the annual appearance in this barren landscape of wild flowers
such as daisies in the springtime, making Namaqualand a popular tourist destination.
Copper, silver, lead and zinc mining bought many people to the area originally. Fishing is a
major industry.
The town of Port Nolloth is a fishing town and resort in Namaqualand. Oranjemund is a
mining town, which lies at the mouth of the Orange River. The capital of the region is
Springbok.
Namaqualand Landscape
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Namaqualand Flowers
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