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Johannesburg Travel Guide

Johannesburg is South Africa’s largest city. Johannesburg has a population of 3.2 million people (South African 2001 census), half of which live in Soweto and adjacent suburbs. The majority of the population is formed by South Africa’s black residents who mostly live in Soweto), while whites represent 500,000 residents (although the number is likely to be higher). There are also around 300,000 Coloured and Asian residents. Unlike other South African cities, no language group dominates, although English is the established lingua franca. The city is the economic hub of South Africa, and increasingly for the rest of Africa. Although estimates vary, about 10% of sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP is generated in Johannesburg. Yet the cities wealth is unequally distributed among its inhabitants causing the city to have, wihtin its own boarders, living conditions varying from first world standards to third world conditions. The contrast between rich and poor has led to one of the highest crime rates in the world. The ‘haves’ tend to live in houses with a high level of security by western standards, whilst the ‘have nots’ live in shacks or cheap housing. Don’t avoid avoid Johannesburg because of its crime however, since it is perfectly possible to have a safe and enjoyable stay if precautions are taken. Many South Africans elect to live here over other, safer parts of the country. There are many things that are unique to Johannesburg. It features a distinct street entrepreneurship, and motorists are able to buy almost anything from vendors selling goods at traffic lights. This includes food, umbrellas, soccer balls, cellular phone accessories and many other goods. Barber shops consisting of nothing but a chair and an enthusiastic barber can be found on the sides of roads, although they tend to specialize in African rather than Caucasoid hair. Mine dumps can also been seen throughout the city and are a reminder of the city’s legacy of gold mining. These dumps ...
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