Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg

Open categories: Geography, Cities, Africa, South Africa

The largest city in South Africa. On the upper reaches of the Vaal River in the northeast, it is 1,754 meters above sea level. Population: 1.713 million (1984). Founded in 1886, it was originally a prospecting station and later developed rapidly into a city with the discovery and mining of gold mines. It is located in the center of the world's largest gold mining area and South Africa's economic hub. There are more than 60 gold mines in the nearby 240-kilometer stretch, and there are many industrial and mining cities nearby, which together account for about half of South Africa's total industrial output value. There are large-scale mining machinery, chemicals, textiles, electrical machinery, automobile assembly, rubber and other industries in the city and suburbs. Finance and commerce are developed, and many large companies and banks are headquartered here. Railway and highway hubs. There is an international airport in Smuts, 24 kilometers northeast. Local African workers were restricted to living in specific areas in the suburbs and had to commute long distances to work in the city every day.

Johannesburg is a lively and dynamic city with an urban feel everywhere, but it still retains the primitive side of the gold rush shantytowns of the 1880s. In the Nguni language, Johannesburg is called "Igobi", which means "gold". Together with other regions of Gauteng ("golden land" in Sotho), it forms the center of South Africa's economic activity.

Johannesburg, with an area of ??approximately 269 square kilometers, is the largest city and economic center in South Africa and the largest gold-producing center in the world. More than half of the population is black. The urban area is divided into north and south parts by the railway: the south is the heavy industrial area; the north is the city center area, which contains major commercial areas, white residential areas and colleges and universities. Probably everyone who comes to York City for the first time will be fascinated by its modern prosperity: there are huge buildings, colorful entertainment venues, and the faces of black and white people exude a healthy luster. The noise and bustle are completely different from those of big cities in Europe and America. No different.

Johannesburg has a subtropical climate that is warm all year round. The climate is very different and extremely changeable. The temperature in Johannesburg is about 24.7℃ in summer and 18.0℃ in winter.

List of attractions: Goldfields, Rand Refinery, Kruger National Park, Eastern Suburbs, Inner City Suburbs.

Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa and the largest gold-producing center in the world, is known as the "City of Gold". It is located in the highlands of the upper reaches of the Fal River in the northeast, with an altitude of 1,754 meters. It is the center of the Transvaal's gold veins. In 1880, it was just a farm acquired for the value of two cattle. A prospecting station was built in 1886, and it developed into a city with the discovery and mining of gold mines. It was established as a city in 1928. There are dozens of gold mines in the surrounding area that stretches for 240 kilometers. There is a tunnel more than a mile deep under the urban streets, with frequent entries and exits. The area around Ellov Street is the downtown area, where shops, banks and hotels are concentrated. The city hall was built in 1915. There are buildings such as museums and churches in the city. Parks and grasslands account for about 1/10 of the urban area. The famous Joubert Park is on the high ground in the center of the city and houses the art gallery. In addition, there are Miller Park, Donald McKay Park, Ellis Park, etc., and there is Cape Town Park in the northeastern suburbs of the city. The zoo is located on Smuts Avenue and has a large area with gardens and a small lake. The northern suburbs include the 43-acre Botanic Gardens and the 26-acre Melrose Bird Sanctuary. Tourists can also visit the city's diamond processing factories. Apartheid and racial discrimination are serious in the city. Soweto, 25 kilometers southwest of the city, is the segregated area with the highest concentration of black people in South Africa. On June 16, 1976, the South African regime committed the horrific Soweto massacre here, arousing angry condemnation from people around the world.

As the largest city in South Africa, today's Johannesburg has developed into a bustling modern metropolis; tall buildings of different shapes are lined up in rows, and a modern highway network extending in all directions covers the entire city. It is one of the world's top ten financial markets. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange is located in a prosperous area of ??the city, with extremely active trading, and modern shopping malls with elegant environments can be seen everywhere... Whenever night falls, the whole city is brightly lit, and the neon lights on the buildings shine, adding to the modern atmosphere. Big city atmosphere.

One day in 1886, George Harrison, who was working on a farm north of Johannesburg, tripped over a stone outcropping while walking. He got up and saw the stone shining with golden light, so he knocked off some fragments. When I returned to the farm, I found gleaming gold sand in the water basin. This was how the largest gold vein area on earth was discovered. As the news spread, gold prospectors from all over the world came like a flood, and 14 gold mining areas were built here. The White Water Slant set off a gold rush. The tranquility of the pastoral scene was replaced by hustle and bustle almost overnight.

In about 100 years since South Africa became world-famous as a gold and diamond country, this city is considered one of the fastest-changing cities in the world. After a rapid increase in population, the influx and outflow of immigrants, and changes in the times, Johannesburg has now become the largest city in South Africa, the largest gold-producing center in the world, and a veritable gold capital.

Johannesburg covers an area of ??about 269 square kilometers and has a population of 630,000, more than half of whom are black. It belongs to Gauteng, the smallest and most economically developed province in South Africa, and is close to the capital of South Africa, Pretorne. Pretorla and a dozen surrounding satellite cities are connected by highways extending in all directions. York City is located on an inland plateau at an altitude of about 1,800 meters. The temperature difference between day and night is large, but the climate is mild. The average temperature in summer is 20 degrees Celsius, and in winter it is around 11 degrees Celsius.

Probably everyone who comes to York City for the first time will be fascinated by its modern prosperity. The urban area is divided into north and south parts by the railway: the south is the heavy industrial area; the north is the city center area, where major businesses are located. districts, white residential areas and higher education institutions. There are many huge buildings in the city center. Government agencies, banks, stations, stock exchanges, etc. are all extremely novel and modern buildings. In contrast, the tree-lined middle-class residences and high-end garden mansions in the suburbs create another sense of isolation. Here, the faces of both blacks and whites exude a healthy glow, and the bustle and prosperity are no different from those in big cities in Europe and the United States. The most popular tourist attraction in the city is the fifty-storey Carlton Centre. This is the most high-end business district in York City, where the largest international gold transactions are conducted. Visitors who come here for gold can freely buy gold coins here.

The Gold Mine Museum and Gold Refinery are also must-see places for tourists. Before entering the underground mine to visit, tourists must sign a volunteer form, which states that if an accident occurs during the visit, they will be responsible for it and shall not ask for compensation. Then, I put on my rubber helmet and long rubber shoes and sat under the cage-like elevator to visit the mine. Every move of the visitors is monitored by hidden cameras and closed-circuit televisions, and it is impossible for anyone to take away a piece of gold ore.

However, it is unbelievable that York City, a city of wealth, is also a city of terror with the highest crime rate in the world. Under the dazzling sun of southern Africa, sin lurks beneath the surface of prosperity. The unemployment rate in South Africa is as high as 40%, and the vast majority of the unemployed are black people who lack skills and low education. The deterioration of public security has made robberies common and created an atmosphere of racial conflict, forcing the middle and upper classes or large capital companies representing South Africa to move to the northern suburbs, and urban functions continue to move to the suburbs. In addition, risk-averse foreign capital has also moved outward, causing restaurants, clubs, nightclubs, etc. in the city to close one after another, turning this bustling golden capital into an abandoned city at night, looking so deserted. .

But even so, York City is still a city full of vitality, with a heat that cannot be felt in other places in South Africa. When you come to this city and see this city, you can understand the feelings of those South Africans who are stubbornly attached to this place despite the reputation of "the most dangerous city in the world". Although they have not caught up with the era of the great gold rush, York City is always new, and they must seize the current opportunity.

The climate in South Africa is affected by the terrain and the surrounding sea. It is generally dry and sunny.

Johannesburg is located in eastern South Africa. Winter lasts from May to September, but the temperature during the day is at least 20℃, and the night is cooler and may drop to 5℃. The weather is hotter from October to April, with afternoon thundershowers common in the afternoons.

Practical information

◎Time difference is six hours behind Beijing

◎Language English and Afrikaans. There are 11 official languages ??in the local government, and English is widely used.

◎Price Index The price level in Johannesburg is not very high. If you stay in a cheaper youth hostel and have simple food, it only costs about US$10 a day; if you stay in a better hotel, there are It costs about US$40-60 per day for your own accommodation and bathroom, plus transportation.

◎Exchange rate The South African currency is called Rand (R), 1R=100￠ (cent), and the banknotes are worth 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200. The face values ??of coins are 5, 2, 1, 50￠, 20￠, 10￠, 5￠, 2￠ and 1￠. If you want to change money or cash traveler's checks, don't do it at a hotel. The handling fee they charge is relatively high. It's better to go to a bank on the street, which only costs 1, which is more secure. The airport also provides 24-hour exchange services. The current exchange rate is: 1 US dollar = 7.53 Rand.

◎Bank business hours: Monday to Friday 9am-3.30pm; Saturday 8.30am-11.00am.

◎Credit Card Visa and Master are the more easily accepted types of credit cards locally.

◎Tax If the accommodation hotel joins Satour's rating system, an additional fee of 1.7R-5.7R will be added to the room price. A surcharge of RMB 14 will be added to the price of general consumption. Passengers who spend more than RMB 250 can get a tax refund. When leaving the country, they need to fill in the form at the VAT counter and attach the purchase receipt. The receipt must be an invoice, with the store name, address, VAT registration number, and TAX INVOICE written on it. You can then get the tax refund (check) directly at the airport, port, or customs.

◎Tipping Wages in South Africa are very low, and service staff almost have to rely on tips to survive. When refueling, you should tip the service staff 2-3R; when dining in restaurants, taking taxis, and going to beauty salons, you will generally tip 10R; in hotels, you will tip porters 1.5-2R.

◎Electrical appliances The voltage in South Africa is 220 volts, and the socket is a round three-hole socket.

◎Telecommunications South Africa country code: 27; Johannesburg area code: 011.

◎How to use the telephone South Africa's telephone network is constantly being updated and expanded, so the telephone number changes frequently. If you want to check the latest information, you can call the local service hotline 1023. Local calls cost 20￠ per 3 minutes. You can go to the local telecommunications company Telkom to buy phone cards with denominations of 10r, 20r, 50r, and 100r, so that you will not be in a hurry to find change.

◎Post Office Johannesburg has the oldest and largest post office, located at the corner of Market and Rissik. Business hours are 8am-4.30pm from Monday to Friday, and 8am-12:00 on Saturday. It is not advisable to send valuable items by mail. American Express Bank and hotels provide express delivery services, so you may wish to consider them.

◎Hygiene Infectious diseases that you need to be careful about in South Africa include schistosomiasis (bilharzia), malaria (malaria), etc., which are especially common in eastern South Africa. And the local climate is hot, so be careful not to get heatstroke. There are quite a few pharmacies on the roadside. If you encounter any minor illness, you can go to the pharmacy to buy medicine to deal with it.

Johannesburg doesn’t have many local specialties, but you can eat so-called French, Italian, Portuguese and other multinational cuisines. Although the quality of most of them is slightly lower than that of other European and American countries, it is still good. Considered authentic.

Generally speaking, the easiest but not unpalatable places to eat are some fast food restaurants, such as African Hut, a fast food chain that provides takeaway, where you can eat pretty good African cuisine, such as tripe or ox trotters; Nando's It serves Portuguese food.

Daruma

The environment is elegant, with a sushi counter, a teppanyaki counter, Japanese sake and a wine bar. You can taste authentic Japanese food here. Japanese waiters are also very respectful towards customers.

Address: 6th Floor, Sandton Sun & Towers Inter-Continental

Business hours: 7:00-10:00, 11:30-14:00, 18:00- 22:30 (last order time); closed on Sundays

Imperial Palace

There are several Chinese restaurants in York City, and this restaurant has a more delicious reputation than other places. The lunch set is especially recommended.

Address: Shop 10, Sandton Sq. Sandton

Business hours: 12:00-15:00, 18:00-22:30

Butcher Grill

There are also many cafe-style restaurants in Sarnton Square similar to those found on Parisian street corners, and Butcher Grill is one of them. Here you can taste ordinary European flavors.

Address: Shop 30, Sandton Sq.

Lyabaya

If you want to taste African flavors, this is the best place to choose. Of course, there are South African bread porridge and butter stew dishes. Starting from Tunisian and Mauritanian style mixed lettuce, to West African fish and Chadian style barbecue steak, there are a variety of special dishes from various African countries.

Address: 42 Hunter St. Yeoville

Business hours: 12:00-14:00, 18:00-23:00; Tuesday-Sunday

Featured Events

Arts Alive Festival

Johannesburg holds a two-week arts season every September. The main performance venue is the Newtown Cultural Precinct, but the city Many restaurants and theaters here will also have their own exclusive performances. This arts season is Johannesburg's annual performing arts event.

Johannesburg Biennale

The art exhibition held every October is worth seeing the colorful artistic talents of South Africans.

FNB Vita Dance Umbrella

There are many ballet performances at the Wits Theater in Braamfontein every February and March.

York City Nightlife

Hillbrow, Berea and Troyeville in the eastern suburbs are the distribution centers of night clubs, playing music such as disco, soul music, hip-hop, etc. Clubs in the northern suburbs are mostly white, and most of them are in shopping malls, and the admission fee is not cheap! But the vibrant atmosphere and scenes there will surprise you.

Johannesburg has a wide variety of products and can be considered a shopping paradise. For travelers, there are some of the best arts and crafts shops, as well as many treasures at the regular holiday markets and flea markets. In addition, there are more than 20 shopping malls here, which open their doors from 8:00-18:00 every day for tourists to enjoy shopping. Of course, the shopping mall includes a variety of products in clothing, food, housing, and transportation. It also houses banks, ticketing centers, travel agencies, movie theaters, etc. You will not be bored even if you stay here for a day. But be careful to read the signs and don’t get lost.

In addition to shopping malls, there are also many small shops on the roadside, but you can first go to the Newtown Market Africa on Woulhuter Street to explore the market. The prices there seem to be relatively reasonable. In addition, there is an open-air flea market every Saturday in front of the African Museum, selling handicrafts, clothing, and antiques. It is very lively. There is also coffee and other fast food for sale, which tastes good.

Shopping

Sandton City

Johannesburg's largest shopping mall.

Address: Sandton City

Hyde Park Mall Sandton City Shopping Center

It mainly sells high-end fashion women's clothing. When you go shopping, you will also get waves of coffee. fragrant. In addition, the bookstore Exclusive Books here is also a major selling point. 2 There are so many businesses that it is easy to get confused, so be careful not to get lost in the department store jungle! There are also many bookstores worth visiting, as well as a museum of African art.

Address: Jan Smuts Ave, corner of Hyde Park Sandton Drive and Rivonia Road

ROSEBANK MALL

The space here is spacious and comfortable, suitable for taking a break after shopping . In addition to many cafes and restaurants, there are also specialty shops selling some novelty gadgets.