Province of NE South Africa, bordering
Zimbabwe to the north; area 262,499 sq
km/101,325 sq mi; population (1985)
7,532,000. Its capital is Pretoria, and towns
include Johannesburg, Germiston, Brakpan,
Springs, Benoni, Krugersdorp, and Roodepoort.
Products include diamonds, coal, iron ore,
copper, lead, tin, manganese, meat, maize,
tobacco, and fruit. The main rivers are the
Vaal and Limpopo with their tributaries.
Swaziland forms an enclave on the Natal
border. It was settled by Voortrekkers, Boers
who left Cape Colony in the Great Trek from
1831. Independence was recognized by Britain
1852, until the settlers' difficulties with
the conquered Zulus led to British annexation
1877. It was made a British colony after the
South African War 1899-1902, and in 1910
became a province of the Union of South
Africa.