Information on Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

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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History of Johannesburg

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

Johannesburg’s name is derived from the names of two commissioners, Christiaan Johannes Joubert and Johannes Rissik. They were the commissioners who had confirmed the discovery of gold by George Harrison in the area. Street names such as Commissioner, Rissik and Harrison in Johannesburg acknowledge 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 had already reached its end. Many left Kimberley for Johannesburg when the prospectors heard of the discovery of gold in the north. They arrived in the region in their droves, and new houses and shops made out of corrugated iron was erected almost overnight. It soon became a bustling town with canteens, pubs and shops opening all the time.

Within three years Johannesburg became the largest city in South Africa. The business sector in Johannesburg was growing rapidly, and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange was founded.

The city experienced its fair share of growing pains. In 1889, the first strike by mine workers for more pay and fewer hours was seen. 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 cleaning up the city and attracting business.

Johannesburg Golf Tours

Johannesburg Geography

Johannesburg is located in the eastern plateau area of South Africa known as the Highveld, at a height of 1,753 metres. The first city centre is located on the south side of the prominent ridge called the Witwatersrand and the landscape falls to the north and south. By and large the Witwatersrand marks the watershed between the Vaal and Limpopo rivers. The west and north of the city has undulating hills while the eastern parts are flatter.

Johannesburg Climate

Johannesburg features a Subtropical highland climate. The city enjoys a sunny, dry climate, with the exception of occasional late afternoon showers 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.

Towns and Suburbs of the Gauteng province of South Africa

Alberton , Arcadia , Auckland Park , Bardene , Bartlett , Bedfordview , Benoni , Boekenhoutskloof , Boksburg , Bonaero Park , Bredell , Bronkhorstspruit , Brooklyn , Bruma , Brummeria , Bryanston , Centurion , Chartwell , Club View , Constantia Park , Cradle of Humankind , Cullinan , De Wagensdrift , Die Wilgers , Dinokeng , Donkerhoek , Edenvale , Elandsdrift , Eldoraigne , Erasmuskloof , Erasmusrand , Fairland , Farrarmere , Ferndale , Fourways , Gallo Manor , Garsfontein ,Germiston , Glen Austin , Glen Marais , Glenvista , Groenkloof , Halfway House , Hartbeespoort , Hatfield , Heidelberg , Hennopspark , Honeydew , Houghton , Hyde Park , Illovo , Irene , Isando , Jet Park , Johannesburg , Kameeldrift , Kempton Park , Klippoortjie , Knoppieslaagte , Kromdraai , Krugersdorp , Kyalami , Lakefield , Lanseria , Linden , Little Falls , Lonehill , Lynnwood , Lyttelton , Magaliesburg , Melrose , Melville , Menlo Park , Menlyn , Meyersdal , Meyerspark , Midrand , Mnandi , Modderfontein , Mondeor , Monrick , Montana , Morningside , Muldersdrift , Murrayfield , New Redruth , Newmarket , Nigel, Noordheuwel , Northcliff , North Riding , OR Tambo Airport , Ormonde , Parktown , Pretoria , Pretoria East , Pomona , Randburg , Randfontein , Randhart , Raslouw , Ravenswood , Riviera, Rivonia , Roodepoort , Rosebank , Rosherville , Ruimsig , Rust de Winter , Samrand , Sandown , Sandton , Sandhurst , Selection Park , Silver Lakes , Solheim , Springs , Sunninghill , The Reeds , Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark , Walkerville , Wapadrand , Waterkloof , Waverley , Weltevredenpark , Westcliff , Woodmead