About Joburg, South Africa

Johannesburg welcomes visitors with a dry, sunny climate and numerous tourist attractions. The major metropolitan center is the financial powerhouse of Africa and features towering skyscrapers nestled among an estimated 6 million trees. Neighborhoods range from expensive suburbs to poor shanty towns.

The settlement of Johannesburg dates to 1886, when Australian prospector George Harrison discovered gold. The subsequent gold rush caused the population to swell to 100,000 by 1895. Apartheid, a government-enforced system of racial segregation, stayed in force from 1948 to 1994.

Though the apartheid system is gone, most neighborhoods are still racially segregated. A day tour of Soweto will reveal the rich culture of the townships, as well as the chance to see Nelson Mandela's house. Many trendy restaurants and shops lie in the leafy, northern suburbs. Small shops and street traders flourish in the central financial district.

Visitors can explore the country's history of racial injustice by viewing the 22 exhibition areas of the Apartheid Museum. The 47,000-hectare Cradle of Humankind, meanwhile, presents a rich collection of fossils. This World Heritage Site is also home to more than 200 caves. For the history of mining in Johannesburg, a visit to Gold Reef City is a must, after which the visitor can experience the connected theme park and casino complex. For world-class shopping, Sandton City offers numerous stores. Those interested in outdoor adventure should visit the Lion Park, which houses 80 lions and many cheetahs, hyenas and jackals. Other Neighborhoods Auckland Park, Bedfordview, Blackheath, and Creast.