Fifa World Cup Countdown

It's World Cup Soccer this year and this time it's being held in South Africa. This is a country that is as well know for it's biltong and rooibos tea, as it is for being the home of the iconic Nelson Mandela, who was president during their transformation into a non-racial society.

We thought we'd do a little investigating into the various places that games will be held, and what Soccer Fan's can expect when they arrive in Africa. Contrary to popular rumor, visitors won't be required to live in mud huts and have to watch out for lions and elephants strolling through the streets. While South Africa is still classified as a developing nation, the cities are much like any other you might find in Europe or America.

Cape Town is one of the cities where matches will be held, and is already a very popular tourist destination with pristine beaches, restaurants, and a bustling nightlife.

They've also built a brand new stadium just for the World Cup which can seat 68,000 people. On the 11th of June matches will kick off and the first teams to play in the Cape Town Stadium will be Uruguay vs. France. The stadium has already been tested out in January when there was a game played between two local teams.

Outside of the city you'll find forests and sprawling farmlands. There are a number of regions in Cape Town that are very well known for their Wine, and many visitors make it a priority to visit the cellars and taste what they have to offer. You can see from the pictures below that it's a green and beautiful part of the country, unlike the typical depiction of Africa as being dry and dusty.

We're enjoying all the build up to the amazing event. It's the first time the World Cup has been hosted in Africa, and from what I can tell South Africa couldn't have been a better first choice.

So will you be heading to South Africa this year?