There are nine provinces in South Africa and each province has a legislature of its own with premier and executive councils. The nine provinces of South Africa are The Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, The Western Cape, The Northern Cape, North West, and Mpumalanga.
The Free State is one of the provinces of South Africa located in the heart of the country. This province is bordered by other provinces such as Northern Cape, North West, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Gauteng. The Free State is the third largest province of South Africa. This province produces more than 70% of the total grain production in the country. Crops cultivated in this province provide two thirds of the agricultural income. Around 30% of South Africa’s gold production is from this province. Some of the tourist destinations in The Free State are Kings Park Rose Garden, Basotho Cultural Village, Sterkfontein Dam, Clarens town, sand stone formation in Golden Gate, and scenery at Clarens.
KwaZulu-Natal shares its boundaries with three countries such as Mozambique, Swaziland and Kingdom of Lesotho. The boundaries of Kwazulu-Natal also borders with other provinces such as Free State, Mpumalanga and Eastern Cape. This province is the third smallest among the nine provinces. The major city of KwaZulu-Natal is Durban. The major tourist attractions of this province are uShaka-Marine World, battlefields of 19th century, dolphin spotting between Tugela River and Umdloti River, villages, deep sea fishing, and world heritage sites.
Limpopo shares boundaries with North West, Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces. The international boundaries shared by this province are with Botzwana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. With its natural beauty, wildlife and culture, this province is famous among the tourists. Limpopo is blessed with over 50 nature reserves and many private wildlife reserves. The tourists also can visit several museums and monuments in this province.
Gauteng is the smallest province of South Africa. This province is landlocked by Vaal River, North West, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga. The major cities of Gauteng are Johannesburg, Germiston, Krugersdorp, Vereeniging, and Pretoria. The tourist attractions at Gauteng are Soweto, Freedom Park, Cradle of Humankind, Maropeng, and City of Gold.
Eastern Cape is bordered by other provinces such as Northern Cape, Western Cape, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal. South side of the province is bordered by Indian Ocean and north is bordered by Kingdom of Lesotho. Some of the tourist destinations in Eastern Cape are Grahamstown, Wild Coast walking tour, Addo Elephant National Park, and Red Location Struggle Museum.
Northern Cape is the largest province of South Africa. The province share borders with Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Free State, and North West provinces. Southern African Large Telescope, Sol Plaatje Museum, Augrabies Falls, and Kalahari Gemsbok National Park are some of the tourist attractions in this province.
Western Cape is bordering by Northern Cape and Eastern Cape. The province is also bordered by Atlantic Ocean on the west side and Indian Ocean on the south. The major tourist attractions of Western Cape are The National Botanical Gardens, Whale Watching, Wineland tours, Cape Floral regions, Table Mountain, and Robben Island.
North West province is bordered by Northern Cape, Free State, Gauteng and Limpopo provinces. Botswana is the country that borders the province on the northern side. Some of the tourist attractions of North West are Mafikeng, Sun City, and Palace of the Lost City, golf courses, Elephant Sanctuary, Hartbeespoort Dam, Madikwe Game Reserve, Pilanesberg National Park, and Vredefort Dome World Heritage site.
Mpumalanga is bordered by other provinces such as Gauteng, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo. The countries that border the province are Swaziland and Mozambique. The major tourist attractions of Mpumalanga are Kruger National Park, Mac Mac Falls, Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window, Pilgrims Rest, Barberton, and historic train ride between Waterval-Onder and Waterval-Boven.