21 April 2016
by Shana Rohn
Test your knowledge of South & Southern Africa with our quiz! How well do you know the region?
Which famous landmark in South Africa is one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature?
Located in Cape Town, this landmark is often covered in cloud referred to as a ‘table cloth’.
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Answer: Table Mountain
Table Mountain is older than the Himalayas, Rockies, Alps and Andes! It's approximately 260 million years old – around the time of mass extinction, when 96% of all marine species and 70% of land-based vertebrates were wiped out.
What is the only official language of Mozambique?
Half of the population of Mozambique speaks this language as a second language.
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Answer: Portuguese
Common native languages include Makhuwa, Sena and Swahili.
The world’s oldest desert is located in Namibia – do you know what it’s called?
Estimated to have endured arid or semi-arid conditions for 55-80 million years, the name of this desert means ‘open space’.
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Answer: The Namib Desert
While the Namib Desert receives barely any rainfall, its air is constantly close to saturation point, and fog is a common sight!
Victoria Falls is one of nature's finest sights, and is shared by which two Southern African countries?
The unrelenting ferocity of Victoria Falls means that the River Zambezi Rainforest is the only place in the world that receives a natural form of rainfall 24/7 and 365 days a year!
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Answer: Zambia and Zimbabwe
The Zambezi, of which Victoria Falls belongs to, also runs through Angola, Mozambique, Namibia and Botswana.
What year did apartheid end in South Africa?
Negotiations to end apartheid culminated in multi-racial democratic elections in this landmark year.
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Answer: 1994
The elections were won by the African National Congress, with Nelson Mandela becoming President of South Africa. To this day, it remains in power.
Which countries neighbour Botswana?
There are four in total – can you name them all?
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Answer: South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia
With almost 40% of the country's land a part of one its national parks, wildlife protection areas or reserves, there is no shortage of safari opportunities to enjoy.
What channel separates Mozambique from Madagascar?
The channel is an arm of the Indian Ocean, is about 1,600km long and 419km across at its narrowest point.
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Answer: Mozambique Channel
The Mozambique Channel hosted The Battle of Madagascar in 1942, when Britain sought to capture Madasgascar from Vichy France during World War Two.
Can you name the thinly sliced, air-dried meat snack enjoyed by many in South Africa?
This method of meat preservation (known as dry curing) was used by South Africans before fridges were invented.
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Answer: Biltong
Usually made from beef, game or ostrich, biltong may resemble beef jerky but tastes rather different – with coriander and black pepper the key flavours.
How did you do? Tot up your score and click to find out!
0-1 right Start eyeing up a safari or self-drive – there's lots to learn about South and Southern Africa!
2-4 right Perhaps you've been to one of these countries, but there's so much more to see!
5-7 right With a bit more practice, you could be a veteran of this great region!
All 8 right The undisputed guide to South and Southern Africa – you are a true expert!
