Course USD(US Dollar)-ZAR(South African Rand) for today

US Dollar

The US central bank is called the Federal Reserve Bank (commonly referred to as "The Fed"). The USD is the most traded currency in the forex market and can be paired with all other major currencies. Common names for the USD include the greenback, buck, green, dough, smacker, bones, dead presidents, scrillas, and paper.

• Central bank: The Federal Reserve System (also known as the Federal Reserve, or the Fed)
• The USD (also called the greenback or buck) is the de facto global currency. Most commodities (including gold and oil) are priced in USD.
• The U.S.A. has by far the largest economy in the world.
• America faces challenges from developing economies, and has consistently large trade deficits with other nations.

South African Rand

As a trading center, multiple currencies circulated throughout South Africa. The first official currency used was the Guilder. During the late 17th century, the Rixdollar was used and was the first South African currency to include paper notes. During British occupation, in 1826, the Cape Colony was put on a sterling basis, though other currencies, including Spanish Dollars, US Dollars, French Francs, and Indian Rupees continued to circulate. In 1921, the Reserve Bank of South Africa was established as the central bank. In 1961, the South African Rand replaced the Pound under a decimalized system. The ratio was 2 ZAR to 1 GBP.

• Central bank: The South African Reserve Bank
• “Rand” refers to Witwatersrand, the ridge where Johannesburg stands that contains most of the country’s gold deposits.
• South Africa is a middle-income, emerging market with abundant natural resources and well-developed infrastructure.
• South Africa is the world’s largest producer of platinum, gold, and chromium. In addition to these and other metals, it exports machinery, equipment, diamonds.
• Relatively high interest rates make ZAR a popular carry trade currency.