South Africa is situated at the southern tip of the African continent. It covers a total surface area of approximately 1,2 million square kilometers, and has an extensive coastline (approximately 3 200 km) constituting the western, southern and eastern boundaries of the country. The northern boundary runs along the Orange, Molopo and Limpopo Rivers, with deviations along the Lebombo Mountains in the north-east and a meridian (or line of longitude) 20 degrees east, in the north-west.

Note: The delineation of magisterial districts as they have been represented in the census data on these maps are no longer valid. They are included in this incorrect manner because the only available census data has been completed with these boundaries. Information which conforms to the new demarcations, will be available after another national census is held.