Johannesburg, South Africa

Regional Population: 2,026,469

Elevation: 1,753 meters

Time Zone: Africa/Johannesburg

Local Currency: ZAR

Latitude: -26.2

Longitude: 28.0833333

Nearby Airports: JNB, QRA, HCS, GCJ

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.