Johannesburg+-+Tuturas+Simona

Johannesburg, the capital of Gauteng province, is the largest city in the country; and is nicknamed Egoli (place of Gold). Indeed, mine dumps are never far away, rubbing shoulders with the fruits of its labour - shiny modern skyscrapers intermingled with 19th century architecture, Indian bazaars & African muti shops (where traditional healers dispense advice & traditional medicine). Johannesburg is the largest city in the world not situated on a lake, navigable river or by the coast. It is home to Africa's tallest building, the Carlton Centre. Johannesburg is the place to feel the pulse of South Africa. media type="youtube" key="DHa7QDegkn0&hl=en" height="355" width="425" A city of astonishing contrasts, a huge metropolis where opulent wealth and desperate poverty live side by side, Johannesburg is the intriguing, dynamic heart of this turbulent country. If you want to see the real South Africa - and try to understand it - Jo'burg has to be on your itinerary. Jo'burg, Jozi, eGoli or 'the city of gold' (never Johannesburg) is by far the largest city in South Africa. It's brash, fast-growing and often ugly, but it has got wealth, energy and a beautiful climate. If you take reasonable precautions and listen to the locals, you can enjoy it in safety.

Travel Warning: Street Crime
There are enough horror stories emanating from Johannesburg to make caution essential, especially at night. Use common sense, be aware of your surroundings and do not advertise your wealth or tourist status. Be sure to heed any local advice regarding safety. If you're driving, make sure your doors are locked, and when you're waiting at traffic lights leave enough room in front of you to drive away if necessary. Just over 100 years ago, the economic and industrial centre of South Africa today was an endless untouched savannah. This changed very fast when the first gold was found in 1886. The news spread like wildfire and the area experienced an unprecedented gold rush. The government sent two deputies, who founded a little settlement and named it after the first name they both had in common, Johannesburg. Three years later the place was the biggest town in the country. By 1875 almost 100,000 people lived in Johannesburg and the mines employed more than 75,000 workers. ||  || ||
 * =Johannesburg History=
 * [[image:http://www.southafrica-travel.net/NORDGIFS/joburgweit.jpg width="282" height="201" caption="Johannesburg Centre and Suburbs"]] ||  ||
 * Black people from the reservations were forced to work in the mines. The men had to do that for at least a year. During this time they were separated from their wives and children and were living under inhumane conditions in the so-called "hostels". To stay emotionally in contact with their home and their culture, many of the men started to practise their traditional dances. In the course of the years these performances of the mine dancers also became part of the weekend entertainment for many whites in Johannesburg.