Backgrounder: South Africa

The country also has one of the highest rates of government investment in education in the world. This, at almost 6 percent of GDP.

South Africa is widely known as a tourist paradise. It offers scenic beauty, diverse wildlife and a kaleidoscope of cultures and heritages. The tourism industry contributes over seven percent of the country's GDP.

As one of this term's non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, South Africa is playing an increasingly active role in international affairs. And in 2010, the beautiful country will attract world attention as the host of the World Cup.

Editor:Du Xiaodan