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Conference Venues South Africa brings you information on Johannesburg situated in the Gauteng Province of South Africa including information on Facilities and Recreation, Climate, Founding, History Suburbs, Town Planning and Geography

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Information on Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

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About Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or eGoli, is the largest city in South Africa. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa. The city is one of the 40 largest metropolitan areas in the world, and is also the world's largest city not situated on a river, lake, or coastline.

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While Johannesburg is not officially one of South Africa's three capital cities, it does house the Constitutional Court – South Africa's highest court. Johannesburg is the source of a large-scale gold and diamond trade, due to its location on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand range of hills. Johannesburg is served by O.R. Tambo International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in Africa and a gateway for international air travel to and from the rest of southern Africa.

According to the 2007 Community Survey, the population of the municipal city was 3,888,180 and the population of the Greater Johannesburg Metropolitan Area was 7,151,447. A broader definition of the Johannesburg metropolitan area, including Ekhuruleni, the West Rand, Soweto and Lenasia, has a population of 10,267,700. The municipal city's land area of 1,645 km2 (635 sq mi) is very large when compared to other cities, resulting in a moderate population density of 2,364 /km2 (6,120 /sq mi).

Johannesburg once again includes Soweto, which was a separate city from the late 1970s until the 1990s. Originally an acronym for "SOuth-WEstern TOwnships", Soweto originated as a collection of settlements on the outskirts of Johannesburg populated mostly by native African workers in the gold mining industry. Eventually incorporated into Johannesburg, the apartheid regime (in power 1949–1994) separated Soweto from the rest of Johannesburg to make it a completely Black area. Lenasia is also part of Johannesburg.

Gauteng is growing rapidly due to mass urbanisation which is a feature of many developing countries. According to the State of the Cities Report, the urban portion of Gauteng – comprised primarily of the cities of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni (the East Rand) and Tshwane (greater Pretoria) – will be a polycentric urban region with a projected population of some 14.6 million people by 2015

History of Johannesburg

Johannesburg is the capital of the Gauteng province in South Africa. Johannesburg is a city that is a hive of activity and is considered to be the unofficial commercial capital of South Africa.

Although Johannesburg only became officially a city in 1928 it was set up as a town as early as 1886. The town was set up on a piece of land that was previously a farm called Randjieslaagte. At that time the Government owned the property and auctioned off 980 stands which lead to the establishment of the town.

The name of the town of Johannesburg was derived from the names of two commissioners,Johannes Rissik and Christiaan Johannes Joubert. They were the commissioners who had confirmed the discovery of gold by George Harrison in the area. Street names such as Rissik, Harrison and Commissioner in Johannesburg commemorate the roles these individuals played in the establishment of the town.

By the time gold was discovered in the Johannesburg area the diamond rush in Kimberley was already reaching its end. When these diamond prospectors heard of the discovery of gold in the north many left Kimberley for Johannesburg. They arrived in the area in their droves and new shops and houses made out of corrugated iron was erected almost overnight. It soon became a lively town with pubs, shops and canteens opening all the time.

Within three years Johannesburg became the largest town in South Africa with over 630 000 ounces of gold mined by the end of 1889. The business sector in Johannesburg was growing fast and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange was founded.

The town experienced its fair share of growing pains. September of 1889 saw the first strike by mine workers for less hours and more pay. Water was also a problem with the private company supplying water to the town being unable to keep with the demand.

Johannesburg has grown rapidly since then and has become a large town with a charm of its own. The city is currently undergoing a transformation with efforts of attracting business and cleaning up the city.

Johannesburg Golf Tours

You will find many excellent golf courses in and around Johannesburg. For the golf lover, playing golf is the best way to experience the Johannesburg area. Go on a golf tour and play on the best courses in the Johannesburg area while at the same time visiting some of the best tourist attractions the area has to offer. For more information on golf tours in Johannesburg visit the South African Golf Tours website.

Johannesburg Geography

Johannesburg is located in the eastern plateau area of South Africa known as the Highveld, at an elevation of 1,753 metres (5,751 ft). The former CBD is located on the south side of the prominent ridge called the Witwatersrand and the terrain falls to the north and south. By and large the Witwatersrand marks the watershed between the Limpopo and Vaal rivers. The north and west of the city has undulating hills while the eastern parts are flatter.

Johannesburg Climate

Johannesburg features a Subtropical highland climate. The city enjoys a dry, sunny climate, with the exception of occasional late afternoon downpours in the summer months of October to April. Despite the relatively dry climate, Johannesburg has over ten million trees, and it is now the biggest man-made forest in the world, followed by Graskop in Mpumalanga that is the second biggest.

Towns and Suburbs of the Gauteng province of South Africa

Arcadia , Bedfordview , Benoni , Boekenhoutskloof , Boksburg , Bruma , Bryanston , Centurion , De Wagensdrift , Dinokeng , Edenvale , Fourways , Johannesburg , Germiston ,Glenvista , Hartbeespoort , Hatfield , Kameeldrift , Kempton Park , Kromdraai , Krugersdorp , Lanseria , Linden , Lonehill , Lynnwood , Magaliesburg , Menlyn , Meyerspark , Midrand , Modderfontein , Mondeor , Montana , Muldersdrift , Murrayfield , Northcliff , Pretoria , Pretoria East , Randburg , Rivonia , Roodepoort , Rosebank , Rust de Winter , Sandton , Springs , Vereeniging , Vanderbijlpark , Walkerville , Wapadrand , Waterkloof , Weltevredenpark , Woodmead

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