South Africa Andrea Sharp April 14, 2014 Period 1
Sociology
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Location: Southern tip of Africa Capital: Cape Town
(legislative), Pretoria (seat of President), Bloemfontein
(administrative) Population: 48, 375, 465 Language: IsiZulu
(22.7%), IsiXhosa (16%), Afrikaans (13.5%), English (9.6%), Sepedi
(9.1%), Setswana (8%), Sesotho (7.6)%, Xitsonga (4.5%), siSwati
(2.5%), Tshivenda (2.4%), isiNdebele (2.1)%, sign language 0.5%,
other 1.6% Religion: Protestant (36.6%), other Christian (36%),
none (15.1%), Catholic (7.1%), other (2.3%), Muslim (1.5%),
unspecified 1.4%
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Economy Unemployment (25%), poverty and inequality are their
biggest issues. They are neither a wealthy country nor a poor
country and have been able to get back on their feet after the
global financial crisis when their GDP fell 2%. They have a large
deficit, but they have been able to control inflation. Also, they
obtain faulty electricity, even with modern buildings, and the
inability to distribute goods equally. Mining, automobile assembly
and metal work are popular industrial jobs.
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Values, Beliefs and Norms Until 1990, South Africa was the
worlds only explicitly racialized state. Apartheid created an
environment of norms and values based on racial segregation and
bias against all people of non-European decent. People became
almost complacent in accepting their roles in society and so
developed a certain set of values and norms that benefited the
injustice that was happening. But in 1994, after 42 years of
Apartheid- rule and the efforts of millions of people to change
minds and laws, there was a significant change. Apartheid ended and
the country was no longer completely divided. South Africa has now
received new attention for its major efforts in righting past
wrongs and undoing the damage caused by years of suffering and
injustice. There is new opportunity for shared values and norms of
equality and justice in a greater society. We have a culture that
is embracing justice, equality and the rights to safety, health,
welfare etc. I think the most significant change is that people
have learnt to respect the different cultural values and norms of
their neighbors. This is really important as it means that we are
continually moving towards greater acceptance and less judgment of
one another. But one must realize that not everyone chose to share
in the new values of equality. Although there was a greater sense
of communal value of justice, there were obviously people who liked
living in Apartheid because they benefited from the injustices. It
is important to note that an individuals sense of values and norms
does not necessarily coincide with the values and norms of their
greater society. Teen Active
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History 4 th Century: San and Khoikhoi people are joined by
migrants from the north 1497: Vasco da Gama (Portuguese explorer)
steps foot on Natal Coast 1795: British forces seize Cape Colony
from Netherlands. 1867: Diamonds discovered at Kimberley 1880:
First Anglo- Boer War 1885 (roughly): Gold rush begins 1889: Second
Anglo- Boer War begins 1910: Formation of the Union of South Africa
1934: South Africa was freed from Britain 1948: Apartheid takes
place 1960: South Africa declared republic 1960 (roughly): South
Africa not included in Olympic Games 1990: After 27 years, Mandela
is released from prison 1996: New constitution is adopted 2001:
Demand for better AIDs medicine 2006: Gold mining industry at a
standstill because of strike 2010: Hosts World Cup 2013: Nelson
Mandela passes away
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Colombia Latin America
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Location: Northern South America, surrounded by Panama, Brazil,
Peru, Ecuador and Venezuela Capital: Bogota Population: 46, 245,
297 Language: Spanish Religion: Roman Catholic (90%), other
(10%)
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Economy For the past decade, Colombia has had strong
development economically, but their infrastructures are lacking.
They hold one of the highest unemployment rates in Latin America,
9.7%. Like South Africa, poverty and inequality play a large rule
in their society, but Colombia also deals with narcotrafficking
(smuggling and distribution of illegal drugs). Main job markets are
the textiles, food processing, jobs in the oil industry and
clothing and shoe manufacturing.
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Values, Beliefs and Norms Colombians respect their elders and
look for their opinion when in the process of making important
decisions; the older you are the more respect you receive. Family
is also very important to their culture, often the children will
stay at home until they are wed. Nursing homes are not normal, the
younger generation takes care of the older generation when they can
no longer care for themselves. Next to family is religion, a
critical aspect in their culture. Some of their decisions
(education, welfare and union) will depend on their religious
concerns.
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History 1525: Spain concurs Colombia 1718: Bogota becomes
capital 1849: Formation of Conservative and Liberal parties 1885:
Conservative party begins 45 year reign 1899-1903: Civil War
between Conservative and Liberal party begins. 1948: Riots are held
due to assassination of potential president -1957: War breaks out
killing almost 300,000 people 1966: Guerilla groups start to become
popular 1984: Government works harder to shut down drug cartel
1985: Volcano erupts killing 25,000 1998: Peace talks with
Guerillas begun 2005: Colombia and US agree on fair trade deal
2014: President hopes to make peace with Guerilla fighters
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My Opinions Although both places have beautiful landscapes and
cultures that have been around for centuries, I would not live in
either place; I would take an extended vacation to experience their
cultures and traditions, but I would rather live in the United
States. We have our own share of problems here, but anywhere else
in the world they are much greater. These places lack things we
have here such as: education, medicine and safety. Other places in
the world are not as safe as we are here. Colombia deals with
radical groups and although they are diminishing they still exist.
South Africa has issues regarding races, so it would be difficult
to visit a country or a live in a country where you are not
wanted.