Commonly know as Jozi or Jo’burg, Johannesburg is South Africa’s largest city. It is also the capital of the province of Gauteng, which itself is South Africa’s wealthiest province. One of only two global cities in the country, Johannesburg serves as the center for business and industry in South Africa. It is also home to the Constitutional Court, even though it isn’t one of the country’s three capitals.

Johannesburg earned its nickname “City of Gold” due to the importance of mining, especially gold mining, to the economy of the region and of the country itself. First discovered in 1886, gold mining was a cornerstone of the South African economy for decades. Although mining has declined in recent years and there are no longer any working mines within the city, there are still mines in the area that are open to visitors and many mining companies are headquartered in Jo’burg.

Tourists will find that the hotels in Johannesburg range from dedicated business hotels with extensive conference facilities and up-to-date technology to holiday resorts designed to relax and rejuvenate guests. The city offers many opportunities for shopping, from street vendors selling items at traffic lights to craft markets, flea markets, and modern shopping plazas and malls. Food in Johannesburg ranges from neighborhood restaurants to upscale dining. Cuisines that are readily available include Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Brazilian, Mediterrarean, and American as well as many African dishes.

Jo’burg has a number of interesting attractions that are popular with tourists. These include the Lion Park, the Johannesburg Zoological Gardens, and the Lesedi Cultural Village. Those wanting to get a sense of racial history can visit the Apartheid Museum or the Mandela Family Museum. The city is also home to the Good Reef City theme park, the South African National Museum of Military History, the Market Theatre precinct and the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens. Don’t forget to check out at least one of the gold mines that are open to the public to get a feel for this very important part of the city’s past.

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