Johannesburg It is the most populous and largest city in South Africa. It is one of the richest cities in the country but in it you can find very poor and extremely dangerous neighborhoods. It is one of the 40 largest metropolitan areas in the world, the only one «Global city» located in Africa.
The difference in the standard of living becomes evident when we look at the White race and in the black race. While the former live with all kinds of luxuries, the latter live in third world conditions.
The census shows that in the city they live around 3 and a half million inhabitants. 81% of the houses have access to drinking water and 80% use electricity as the main source of energy. By race, African blacks are 73% of the population, whites 16%, South Africans of color 6% and Asians 4%.
Johannesburg contributes to National GDP with a 16%. Mining is their main source of income thanks to the important gold and diamond deposits that are controlled there. We also find a wide variety of manufacturing industries such as steel mills and cement factories.
The city has a dry and sunny weather. The temperatures are quite pleasant thanks to the altitude of the city. During winter, temperatures often drop below freezing and frost occurs. Snowfall is very rare and the average annual rainfall is 713mm, especially fallen in the summer months.
Although Johannesburg It is not a tourist destination of the most demanded, in recent years it has become a little more fashionable. History museums, such as the Apartheid and that of Hector pieterson, as well as the large Gold Reef City amusement park, located south of the Central Business District. To make matters worse, the celebration of Soccer World Cup in 2010 will manage to promote tourism and make the city known to the world.
Regarding the means of transport, the city has airports, buses, taxis, trains and roads to move. The most important airport is O.R.Tambo International Airport and it is valid for both local and international flights. It is one of the best airports in the world.
855 buses they cover 84 different routes.
Taxis there are two types, with a taximeter or a minibus type. This type of vehicle is less frequent than in other cities such as Barcelona or Madrid.
Finally, regarding the trains refers, the construction of the Gautrain Rapid Rail It started in October 2006 and it is estimated that the work will be completed for the 2010 World Cup.
Places of interest you cannot miss
- Africa Museum
- Apartheid Museum
- Johannesburg Botanical Gardens
- Gold Reef City Mining Theme Park
- Melville neighborhood
- Lion Park Zoo
- Alexandra neighborhood
Sandton, Johannesburg in 4K. (November 2024)
- Barcelona, Madrid, trains
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