South Africa - Jen Green

The World in Focus series provides an up-to-date view of individual countries around the world. Including discussion of the major challenges facing each country now and in the future. These books give a real insight into life in every part of the globe.

South Africa is a land of great natural beauty and scenic variety and is Africa's wealthiest economy. It is a major force in both African and world politics and is now among the most liberal democracies in Africa.

However, until the 1990s the country was ruled by one of the world's most repressive regimes.

Today, South Africa faces huge challenges: deep divisions still exist in terms of wealth, land ownership, education and employment and HIV/AIDS threatens South Africans on an epidemic scale.