Major Cities in South Africa
Johannesburg
Johannesburg is one of the largest and most prosperous metropolises in Africa, has the “most famous” townships in South Africa and has a very varied cultural scene to offer. The city is divided into several quarters which are very different from each other and where each has interesting insights into South African history, culture and lifestyles. The history of apartheid can be studied and understood particularly well in Sophiatown, for example, Alexandra is a district in which few of the black population were allowed to be landowners. Today there are still around 500,000 people who share the 8 km² area and live in rather poor conditions.
The image of the city center is shaped by high-rise buildings that are mainly used as office buildings. However, Johannesburg also has some notable architectural projects and Art Deco-style buildings to offer. In the south is the Gold Reef City, a large amusement complex and theme park all about mining and “mining” in the region.
Johannesburg is also known for the world’s largest man-made forest with over 10 million trees imported from other countries, which the European settlers planted in a belt around the city as a replacement for the original forest that was cut down at the time. Many of these introduced tree species, however, turned out to be problematic from an ecological and geophysical point of view, so that today programs have been started with the help of which the original tree population is to be restored.
Pretoria
According to constructmaterials, Pretoria is South Africa’s official capital and at the same time the core city of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, an amalgamation of 13 cities and municipalities in the Pretoria region. However, parts of the state administration are also housed in Cape Town (seat of the Paralment and half-yearly seat of government) and Bloemfontein (seat of the Supreme Court of Appeal). Since the name Pretoria was reminiscent of the gloomy times of apartheid politics, the city was to be renamed Tshwane in 2005, but the corresponding city council resolution is not yet legally binding due to several opposition to the renaming, so that Pretoria continues to be the official name of the capital. Approx. 750,000 people live in the core city.
Kerkplein (Church Square) forms the historic center of Pretoria and is surrounded by several historical and architectural landmarks such as the old Parliament building, the Palace of Justice, the old Capitol Theater and the city’s main post office. This square has been the center of the city for more than 130 years. Adjacent to Church Square are important buildings such as the former parliament building, the justice square, the old state bank and the main post office of Pretoria. The Union Building, built in the classicist style in the northeast of the city center, is the current six-month seat of the Paralment. A large number of museums on the history and natural history of South Africa as well as several museum and forts open to visitors from the time of the gold rush and the Jameson raid shortly before 19000 complete the tour program.
Cape Town
Cape Town is located in the southernmost tip of South Africa and, along with an important government, trade and financial center, is one of the most important seaports in the world. However, Cape Town is above all the most worth visiting city in South Africa and is known to be one of the most beautiful cities in Africa. It is often compared to Rio de Janairo or San Francisco because of its multicultural, open and interesting atmosphere.
With the fascinating silhouette of Table Mountain in the background, the harbor with the surrounding promenades and green spaces as well as the historic and modern buildings in the city center, the city has a unique flair that attracts tourists from all over the world in droves. In addition to numerous interesting museums, monuments and historically interesting places, parks and green spaces such as the Parliamentary Garden or the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden invite you to linger. A very well-known museum is the District Six Museum and the Castle of Good Hope is definitely worth a visit old castle built in 1666 by Dutch colonialists. There is actually something to discover and experience on every corner of the city. Popular stretches of beach are the promenades at Sea Point,
A visit to Table Mountain is a must when visiting Cape Town. With a Table Mountain cable car you have the opportunity to comfortably reach the top of the mountain and enjoy the incredible view over the whole city and the beautiful coast. On Table Mountain itself you can also see the Table Mountain National Park and learn a lot about the history and the formation of the mountain and the city. At the port of the city is the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, one of the city’s biggest tourist attractions. The waterfront takes its name from two docks which are named after Victoria, the Queen of England and her son Alfred. There is an immense entertainment and shopping district around the pools. Here you can dine every evening in noble and unusual restaurants, listen to music by different artists and enjoy the view of the sea. There are also numerous interesting places in the vicinity of the city. Robben Island is a small island in Table Bay, about 12 kilometers from Cape Town. The island is now a world-famous natural and national monument and used to be a prison island. Nelson Mandela spent almost two decades as a prisoner on this island. The island is now a world-famous natural and national monument and used to be a prison island. Nelson Mandela spent almost two decades as a prisoner on this island. The island is now a world-famous natural and national monument and used to be a prison island. Nelson Mandela spent almost two decades as a prisoner on this island.