Johannesburg

Johannesburg, widely known as 'Joburg' or 'eGoli' (the place of gold), is South Africa's largest city and the undisputed economic powerhouse of the African continent. Its origins trace back to 1886, when the discovery of massive gold deposits along the Witwatersrand reef transformed a dusty mining camp into a booming metropolis almost overnight. Geographically situated at an elevation of 1,753 meters on the Highveld plateau, the city enjoys a sunny, temperate climate year-round. Johannesburg is a city of profound contrasts, where the glitzy skyscrapers of the Sandton financial district stand in stark relief to the historic townships like Soweto, once the epicentre of the anti-apartheid struggle. Key historical sites include the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill, the seat of the nation's Constitutional Court. As a global financial hub, it hosts Africa's largest stock exchange (JSE) and the continent's busiest international airport. Notably, Johannesburg is recognized as one of the world's largest man-made urban forests, boasting over 10 million trees.

Nearby cities

Pretoria

The executive capital of the country is famous for the thousands of Jacaranda trees that bloom purple in spring.

History & landmarks

Ponte City

A cylindrical skyscraper in Johannesburg and the tallest residential building in Africa.

Pretoria City Hall

A monumental historical building in Pretoria featuring a large clock tower and 32 bells.

Soweto

A historic township on the outskirts of Johannesburg, Soweto is the vibrant heart of South African history and culture.

Carlton Centre

A skyscraper and shopping center that was the tallest building in Africa for decades.

11 Diagonal Street

A distinctive skyscraper in Johannesburg designed to look like a diamond.

Nelson Mandela Bridge

A striking cable-stayed bridge linking the central business district of Johannesburg with Braamfontein.

Hillbrow Tower

A tall telecommunications tower dominating the skyline of Johannesburg.

Sentech Tower

A 237-meter-tall television and radio broadcasting tower in Johannesburg.

More places

Constitution Hill

Constitution Hill in Johannesburg is a former prison complex that is now the seat of the Constitutional Court of South Africa.

Apartheid Museum Complex

The complex illustrates 20th century South African history, showing the rise and fall of the state-sponsored racial apartheid system.

Hector Pieterson Memorial

The memorial honors the young student Hector Pieterson and the students who died during the 1976 Soweto Uprising.

Sterkfontein Caves

The Sterkfontein Caves, part of the Cradle of Humankind, are globally renowned for their rich fossil finds, particularly of early hominids.

South Deep Gold Mine

One of the largest gold mines globally by reserves, utilizing highly mechanized mining techniques.

Cradle of Humankind

The Cradle of Humankind is a World Heritage site housing some of the oldest hominid fossils in the world.

Voortrekker Monument

The Voortrekker Monument is a massive granite structure in Pretoria commemorating the Boer pioneers who left the Cape Colony.

Church Square

Church Square is the historic center of the city of Pretoria, surrounded by significant architectural buildings from the late 19th century.