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Jun 24, 2021 · By Jess Nicholson. photographs by Teagen Cunniffe. Published 24 Jun 2021, 15:05 BST. Johannesburg was built upon a reef of gold. The lustrous treasure pulses through the city’s veins — it’s what brought European prospectors to this part of South Africa in the late 19th century.
Johannesburg (/ dʒ oʊ ˈ h æ n ɪ s b ɜːr ɡ / joh-HAN-iss-burg, US also /-ˈ h ɑː n-/- HAHN-, Afrikaans: [jʊəˈɦanəsbœrχ]; Zulu and Xhosa: eGoli [ɛˈɡɔːli]) (colloquially known as Jozi, Joburg, Jo'burg or "The City of Gold") is the most populous city in South Africa with 4,803,262 people, and is classified as a megacity; it ...
- 010 and 011
- 1,753 m (5,751 ft)
- South Africa
- Gauteng
2 days ago · Johannesburg, city, Gauteng province, South Africa, that is the country’s chief industrial and financial metropolis. One of the youngest of the world’s major cities, Johannesburg was founded in 1886, following the discovery of gold. Read and learn more about Johannesburg here.
- 13 Interesting Facts About Johannesburg
- Johannesburg Facts
- Day Tours in Johannesburg
History of Johannesburg
Johannesburg was founded in 1886, after gold was found on a local farm in 1884. This discovery started the Witwatersrand Gold Rush and attracted 1000’s of early settlers. In a matter of only 10 years, the city grew to 100.000 inhabitants. Currently, the greater Johannesburg area has just over 8 million residents, making it the largest city of South Africa. Johannesburg is also affectionately known locally as ‘Jo’burg’, ‘Jozi’ or ‘Egoli’, the latter meaning, quite appropriately, ‘Place of Gold’.
Johannesburg has the largest man made “Urban” forest
The largest man made “Urban” forestis located in Johannesburg. There are over 6 million trees in the city. The area of Jo’burg used to be grasslands, so most of the planted trees are not indigenous. After the discovery of gold, lots of trees were planted for the props of the mines, many of those planted were blue gum trees.
O.R. Tambo Airport
O.R. Tambo is Africa’s biggest and busiest airport.The airport used to be called ‘Jan Smuts Airport’. A first name change came in 1994, just after Apartheid ended, to ‘Johannesburg International Airport’. In 2006 the airport changed names a 2nd time to ‘O.R. Tambo International Airport’. (Named after one of the former presidents of the ANC political party, Oliver Reginald Tambo).
Is Johannesburg the capital city of South Africa?
Contrary to what many people may believe, South Africa actually has 3 capital cities, but Johannesburg is not one of them. The three capital cities of South Africa are: Pretoria (administrative), Bloemfontein (judicial) and Cape Town (legislative). Johannesburg however is the largest city of the country.
If you would be interested in visiting the city, we would highly recommend taking a tour with a qualified guide. They will take you around to the most important sights and will supply you with lots of interesting facts and history about Johannesburg. Inspired? Pin this to your Pinterest boards:
- Chantelle Johnston
- 2 min
- Visit the South African National Museum of Military History. South Africa has such a rich history, and according to Chantelle, this museum is a great starting point on your journey!
- Go for drinks at Alto 234. If you’re looking for a place to celebrate a special event or just your holiday in Johannesburg, then check out this rooftop that’s located in Sandown (map), which Chantelle recommended!
- Spend a fun day at Prison Break Market. Alright, are you ready for a fun-filled day at an incredible place in Johannesburg? You better be, because this spot is such a gem perfect for making unforgettable memories!
- Join a hop-on/hop-off tour in the city. Still looking for some fun things to do in Johannesburg? As a frequent traveler myself, I think that a great (and practical) way to get to know the city and see as many places as possible is by taking a city sightseeing bus tour.
Jun 24, 2021 · June 24, 2021. • 15 min read. This article was adapted from National Geographic Traveller (UK). Johannesburg was built upon a reef of gold. The lustrous treasure pulses through the city’s veins —...
Johannesburg generates 16 percent of South Africa's GDP and employs 12 percent of the national workforce.Its infrastructure matches leading first world cities, yet the cost of living is far lower. The city is recognized as the financial capital of South Africa and is home to 74 percent of Corporate Headquarter.
