South Africa 08

Johannesburg (in spoken language also referred to as Jo’burg, Egoli or Jozi) is South Africa’s largest city. Soccer teams and fans from around the globe will converge on the city during the 2010 World Cup.

Johannesburg has a population of 3.2 million persons, half of which live in Soweto and adjacent suburbs. Black people form an overwhelming majority of residents, while whites represent approximately 500,000 residents. The city is the economic hub of South Africa, and increasingly for the rest of Africa.

Soweto is an increasingly popular destination for travelers from around the world. The Apartheid Museum is a worthwhile stop for any traveler wanting to learn more about South Africa's previous regime. In 2004 the Constitutional Court was opened in the former infamous prison—The Fort. Enjoy the buildings of the gold rush era and the sights from atop the Carlton Centre (Africa’s tallest building).
The Market Theatre precinct, Museum of Africa and Newtown (New Town) are particularly vibrant sectors of the city centre. By day, a walk around Newtown will give you a taste for the wide range of traditions and cultures the city plays host to. Travelers can also visit a gold mine or the Lesedi Cultural Village for traditional dances and food in authentic Zulu, Sotho, Pedi, Xhosa and Ndebele villages.

Built around the No. 14 shaft of Crown Mines, this city is an authentic reproduction of Johannesburg at the beginning of the 1900s. There are fully furnished miner's houses with original furniture and fittings, including pressed ceilings. The museum exhibits include antique clothing and children's toys, which take the visitor back 100 years to the city that was. A train encircles the park and many shops offer interesting curios. You can also visit the original gold mine in a lift that goes down to 220 meters below the surface. An on site casino is open 24 hours daily.

South Africa's glitzy answer to Las Vegas is situated in the sun-drenched bushveld and is surrounded by the mega-entertainment area of the Lost City. Sun City offers more than one arm bandits and roulette tables - enjoy a day at the beach at the Valley of the Waves, a man-made wave pool surrounded by a sandy beach. Water activities such as sliding down spiralling rides in large rubber rings, and body surfing form part of the day's fun. While parents try their luck at the casino, children can enjoy the Game Zone rooms filled with the latest electronic games to challenge and delight.