Also known as Joburg or Jozi, the city is the capital of the Gauteng province, which means "place of gold" in English, and the largest South African city at the same time. It has a population of over 3 million people and it is a city of economic extremes, with very wealthy and extremely poor people, at the same time.
The city is also considered a healthy place to live in, especially due to the savannah that houses Joburg, with more than 6 million trees and so many green spots right inside the city. But Johannesburg is also one of the most dangerous places to choose, where the crime rate is quite high because of the big differences between the economic conditions of the people.
If you visit Johannesburg, don't expect a small and traditional city, but rather a large, developed and modern place, with lots of skyscrapers, big shopping malls and huge sports centers. In fact, be sure not to miss the Ellis Park Stadium or Coca-Cola Park, the Soccer City Stadium, Dobson Stadium or Rand Stadium, home of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
- It is one of the world's youngest major cities.
- It is the place where almost half of the world's gold was found.
- On average, there are twelve hours of sunlight a day.
- Almost half of the city's population is under 24 years old.
- The city Zoo is home of the only two polar bears in Africa.
Travel by bus inside Johannesburg and South Africa, it is not the cheapest transportation option, but it is however the safest and most common way to get around the city and the country.
Roads are quite in a good condition, so renting a car might be also a good option if you really need and want to be in charge of your trip. However, be aware that driving is like in the UK, on the left side and also, you should try to avoid N1, which is the most dangerous road in South Africa.
Checking the weather forecast is recommended before going to Johannesburg, especially because of the big difference between the seasons in the southern hemisphere and those in the northern hemisphere. Fortunately, the sun is shining almost all the time, and the winters are moderate with temperatures of around 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Plan your trip to Johannesburg in advance, as there are lots of museums to visit, theatres to see, restaurants to have lunch or dinner and if you are an active person, you should go to Coca-Cola Park Stadium, an important place for the city's development due to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.