The Greater Pretoria Region of Gauteng is one of South Africa's three capital cities and serves as the executive and official de facto capital of South Africa. Pretoria is situated in a transitional area from Highveld to the Bushveld regions of Gauteng. Approximately 50 km north of Johannesburg, Pretoria lies in a warm well sheltered valley and its location allows for good weather year round. Pretoria has a population of about one million with the main languages spoken being Tswana, Ndebele, Afrikaans and English.
One of South Africa's three capital cities, Pretoria is located in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Lying within the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, Pretoria serves as the executive and official de facto capital of South Africa. Pretoria is situated a transitional area from Highveld to the Bushveld regions of Gauteng, South Africa. Approximately 50 km north of Johannesburg, Pretoria lies in a warm well sheltered valley.
It is believed that Nguni speaking settlers were the first to inhabit the fertile valley region of what is known today as Pretoria. These settlers were forced to abandon their villages under attack from a regiment of Zulu raiders in 1832. In 1855 Pretoria was founded by a leader of the Voortrekkers called Marthinus Pretorius; he named Pretoria after his father Andries Pretorius. Pretoria became the capital of the South African Republic on 1 May 1860. When the Boer Republics of the ZAR united as the Union of South Africa, Pretoria became the administrative capital of the whole of South Africa. In 1931 Pretoria achieved official city status.
Pretoria is home to the university of Pretoria, which is the largest residential university in South Africa. Other major universities in Pretoria include the largest distance education university, University of South Africa and Tshwane University of Technology. The South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research is also located in Pretoria. Pretoria is an important industrial centre of South Africa with industries such as iron and steel casting as well as automobile, railroad and machinery manufacture. Pretoria is the third biggest contributor to the South Africa's total GDP behind Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Pretoria offers many attractions that is worth visiting. Burgers Park is Pretoria's first park, established in 1882. The Fountains Nature Reserve was proclaimed in 1895, claimed to be the first in Africa. Paul Kruger museum is in the house of President Paul Kruger of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek. Melrose House, built in 1886, is an example of Victorian lifestyle. Pretora Art Museum hosts paintings of South African artists. The Pierneef Museum has an exhibit of the artist Pierneef. Van Wouw House was the home of sculptor Anton van Wouw, and exhibits some of his work. The Museum of Science and Technology has exhibits in which visitors can participate. Pretoria Zoo is the largest zoo in South Africa. At the State Theatre, consisting of several theatres, productions range from opera and jazz to ballet, drama and cabaret. In the Wonderboom Nature Reserve, just north of the Pretoria Zoo, is a giant fig tree of about 1'000 years old, and which grows over an area of 0,5Ha.
Pretoria is known as the Jacaranda City of Gauteng for all the purple blossom-bedecked trees which line its thoroughfares. It is home to many significant old buildings and some fascinating museums.
Information on Pretoria Towns
Arcadia, Boekenhoutskloof, Bronkhorstspruit, Centurion, Constantia Park, De Wagensdrift, Dinokeng, Hatfield, Kameeldrift, Lynnwood, Menlyn, Meyerspark, Montana, Murrayfield, Pretoria, Pretoria East, Rust de Winter, Wapadrand, Waterkloof
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