 Johannesburg, known as Jo'burg to the locals, is the largest city in the whole of South Africa and home to more than three million residents. Located at the heart of Gauteng Province, Johannesburg has an economy which is still rooted in the gold industry. Despite the fact that many mines are no longer operational, former mines and the mine dumps had a lasting impact on the appearance of the urban landscape and the industrial structure.
 This fast-paced metropolis has a reputation for social upheaval so visitors should remain vigilant while holidaying here. You won’t find many conventional tourist sights here and might be tempted to hide out in your hotel room. However, it’s recommended you hire a car or a tour guide, and dive into some of the fascinating museums and galleries.
 Alternatively, many of the suburbs have a lively café and restaurant scene with many shops displaying contemporary African art and design. There are also many beautiful examples of architecture in the city, and just outside the city the townships provide a fascinating insight into the country’s social history.
 Sports fans will find comfort in Ellis Park, where South Africa won the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Also of interest, the neighbouring athletics stadium was scene of the IAAF World Cup in 1999 and the FNB soccer stadium on the edge of Soweto is still a principal venue for rugby.
 Johannesburg’s city centre is filled with skyscrapers and shopping malls, and can be very exciting. However, it’s recommended that unless you are accompanied by a guide, you should not tour the city centre by car. The main sights are generally safe to explore on your own in the daytime, and you can find parking at Carlton Centre and Johannesburg Art Gallery.
 The northern suburbs are where you can find a large concentration of hotels, restaurants and shopping malls. Westcliff is home to the best, and most expensive, accommodation options in the city and is very close to the suburbs of Melville, Greenside and Rosebank. Rosebank in particular has good shopping options while Melville is an up-market area and is home to actors, artists, producers, lecturers and architects. It’s filled with coffee houses, restaurants, bars and cultural venues Saxonwold and Houghton, known as ‘old money’ suburbs, are a great place to visit with Houghton being home of Nelson Mandela. There are many good and safe places to stay in Johannesburg and if you are just passing through, you might even think about choosing a hotel near the airport. There are many good choices and almost all offer shuttle transfers. For those staying longer, accommodations in Melville will let you experience a small-town atmosphere with lots of vibrant bars and restaurants within walking distance.
History
 Johannesburg has a history which revolves around gold-mining and dates back to 1886. It was already the third-biggest city in South Africa by 1890 and not long after, it was the largest city south of Cairo. By the 1900s, Johannesburg was producing one-third of the world's gold.
 The original Boer settlers of the area were quickly outnumbered by the influx of miners. They were not happy and saw it as an invasion. The president denied these newly arrived foreigners a vote and refused to develop an infrastructure to support mining activities. The South African Republic (ZAR) and Britain went to war leading to Britain annexing the republic in 1902. The British were pushed out in 1910 when the Union of South Africa was proclaimed.
 By the mid 1940s, almost half a million black immigrant mine workers were living in Johannesburg. In 1946, the 70,000-strong African Mineworkers Union went on strike over living and working conditions. Unfortunately for them, not much came of it besides a dozen deaths and thousands of injuries.
 The early 1950s saw the emergence of apartheid as well as the growth of the African National Congress (ANC). In 1955, the ANC announced the Freedom Charter, which is the basis of the current constitution.
 It wasn’t until the 1970s that the blacks revolted. In 1976, a peaceful student demonstration in Soweto was fired upon by police and ignited a nationwide riot. Black youth declared war on apartheid which continued for two decades. The 1994 elections brought peace across the country, allowing Johannesburg to once again focus on its financial and economic pursuits.
Weather
 Johannesburg experiences a subtropical climate, which sees average temperatures usually below 30°C. Winter (May through August) is opposite to the winters in Europe because South Africa is in the southern hemisphere. During this time, temperatures drop below freezing at night but are still relatively mild during the day. The coldest months of the year are July and August.
 It rains frequently throughout the summer months (October to March) although temperatures are warm, usually around 20°C. The rain usually falls hard and fast and is complemented by lots of thunder and lightening, as well as occasional hail. You are usually guaranteed bright blue skies and sunshine after a heavy rain shower.
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