The Republic of South Africa is a diverse nation located at the southern tip of the African continent, sharing borders with Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe.
South Africa has a mixed economy. Its economy is Africa's largest, most technologically advanced and industrialised. South Africa is ranked 40th by total wealth, making it the second wealthiest country in Africa.
South Africa is a parliamentary republic, but unlike most such republics, the president is both head of state and head of government and depends for their tenure on the confidence of Parliament. The executive, legislature, and judiciary are all subject to the supremacy of the Constitution of South Africa, and the superior courts have the power to strike down executive actions and acts of Parliament if they are unconstitutional.
Mining has been a major component of South Africa's economy throughout its history. Until 2006, South Africa had been the world's largest gold producer for almost a century By the end of 2009, gold mining in South Africa had declined rapidly, having produced 205 metric tons (mt) of gold in 2008 compared to 1,000 metric tons produced in 1970 (almost 80% of the world's mine supply at the time).