Europe & Americas Country

Select ONE country from the regions of focus and type your findings for each of the categories below. One page maximum and must be typed. You will upload this to Blackboard for credit.

  1. Geography:
  2. Demographics:
  3. Political System:
  4. Economy:
  5. Legal System:
  6. Issues and risks of doing business here:

Based on this information, what did you find most interesting about this country?

Full Answer Section

     
  • Religion: Christianity (79.8%), Islam (1.5%), traditional African religions (1.8%)
  1. Political System:
  • Type: Republic
  • Government: Parliamentary democracy
  • President: Cyril Ramaphosa
  • Political parties: African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)
  1. Economy:
  • Type: Mixed economy
  • GDP: Approximately $513 billion (2023)
  • Major industries: Mining, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism
  • Challenges: High unemployment, income inequality, and infrastructure deficits
  1. Legal System:
  • Based on Roman-Dutch law
  • Constitutional democracy with a Bill of Rights
  • Independent judiciary
  1. Issues and Risks of Doing Business:
  • Bureaucracy: Navigating administrative processes can be time-consuming and complex.
  • Corruption: Corruption is a significant challenge in some sectors of the economy.
  • Labor relations: Industrial unrest and strikes can disrupt business operations.
  • Infrastructure: Inadequate infrastructure, such as electricity and transportation, can pose challenges.
  • Economic inequality: The high level of income inequality can create social and economic instability.
Most Interesting Finding: The diversity of South Africa's population and cultures is one of the most interesting aspects of this country. Despite its history of apartheid and racial segregation, South Africa has made significant progress towards reconciliation and democracy. The country's rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and vibrant cities make it a fascinating place to visit and do business.  

Sample Answer

     

Country: South Africa

1. Geography:

  • Location: Southern tip of Africa, bordering Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Swaziland.
  • Landmarks: Table Mountain, Cape of Good Hope, Kruger National Park
  • Climate: Varies widely, with subtropical and temperate zones in the south and arid conditions in the interior.

2. Demographics:

  • Population: Approximately 60 million
  • Ethnic groups: Black African (79.7%), White (8.6%), Coloured (9.6%), Indian/Asian (2.1%)
  • Languages: 11 official languages, including English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, and Sesotho