-
-
Gauteng is divided into six regional districts, though the central part of Gauteng (Johannesburg, the southern half of Tshwane, western half of Ekurhuleni and north-east of the West Rand) together forms one continuous urban area.
-
[wiki=33416c1d32d3c19771d09bf215c7b514]Johannesburg[/wiki] - economic heart of [wiki=f5cd262901883dff68d06b215fb0f28e]Africa[/wiki] and most like the any travellers entry point to [wiki=c89bc418c38da77213c6c6e03cac2510]South Africa[/wiki] (and the provincial capital)
* [wiki=f3aed7b995946431dd27c6d71901dd96]Pretoria[/wiki] - the national administrative capital
* [wiki=365ba34ec9b345d16edd3d969281b85f]Vereeniging[/wiki] - industrial centre, but also water sport on the Vaal river and site of the Sharpeville Massacre.
* [wiki=a311fee1b63c664608c61a5bca8aa2cf]Krugersdorp[/wiki]
* [wiki=e6a635fe76a3818a274bd083a8057a32]Carltonville[/wiki] - mining town on the West Rand
-
A summer rainfall area, Gauteng experiences hot summer days that often result in short but intense afternoon thunderstorms, commonly accompanied by thunder and lightning. Summers nights are also hot.
The real-time Irene radar map [url=http://www.weathersa.co.za/Imagery/ShowRadarMap.jsp?map=68263]]provided by the South African weather service is a great tool to help you plan any afternoon outdoor activity in summer. It gives ample warning of any approaching thunder storms.
Winter is dry and cold with temperatures dropping to a little above freezing at night, however, winter days are beautiful with comfortable temperatures.
[[Tshwane[/url]] is generally 2°C to 3°C warmer then [wiki=33416c1d32d3c19771d09bf215c7b514]Johannesburg[/wiki].
-
Gauteng is considered the gateway to [wiki=2155fb115f24a63d51e28f9e44b3cd06]Southern Africa[/wiki]. Many spectacular destinations are a short flight or drive away. It is a small province, flanked by four other provinces in South Africa.
* The [wiki=d5adf42532ca871c9e0750f8aa87a94a]Cradle of Humankind[/wiki], [url=http://www.cradleofhumankind.co.za/],]on the [[West Rand[/url]] is an [wiki=7f8d0c0f7d0ae7fd4a9aa6788345df41#South_Africa]UNESCO World Heritage Site[/wiki] where a large number of human ancestry fossil finds have been made.
* The Tswaing Meteorite Crater, [url=http://www.hartrao.ac.za/other/tswaing/tswaing.html],][url=http://www.nfi.org.za/Tswaing/News.htm[/url],]in [[Tshwane[/url]] is a very well preserved meteor crater.
-
English is widely spoken in Gauteng and you will rarely meet someone who can't speak it. Afrikaans, Sotho and Zulu are also common.
-
====By plane====
Almost all international flights arrive at Johannesburg's [wiki=bf2f13b122dcde9431c93688ad3e5878#OR_Tambo_International]OR Tambo International Airport[/wiki] [url=http://www.airports.co.za],]so it's highly likely that Gauteng with be your first destination on a holiday to Southern Africa.
====By car====
Gauteng is bordered by four provinces:
* [[North-West (South Africa)|North-West[/url]] to the west, connected via the N4 (northern North-West), N14 (central North-West) and N12 (southern North-West)
* [wiki=8f13208305873b17e4494436f8aba0f6]Limpopo[/wiki] to the north, connected via the N1
* [wiki=f6e573ec7795b82466c7a76ff015c8fe]Mpumalanga[/wiki] to the east, connected via the N12/N4 (northern Mpumalanga) and N17 (southern Mpumalanga)
* [wiki=26bc40bf1942883cd38cede033a3bb2c]Free State[/wiki] to the south, connected via the N1 (western Free State) and N3 (eastern Free State)
-
-
By car
Public transport is non-existent by European standards, so it is best to rent a car. All the national car rental agencies are well represented.
Road are generally in good condition, but peak hour traffic (7AM to 9AM and 4PM to 6PM) can be very busy and slow. Congestion is very common on the N1 between the west of [wiki=33416c1d32d3c19771d09bf215c7b514]Johannesburg[/wiki] and [wiki=f3aed7b995946431dd27c6d71901dd96]Pretoria[/wiki], the N3 between [wiki=2502f231b43bf2eb893b8213be4a1f1c]Alberton[/wiki] and the Buccleuch interchange where it joins the N1 and the N12 and R24 between [wiki=33416c1d32d3c19771d09bf215c7b514]Johannesburg[/wiki] and O.R. Tambo Airport.
-
By bus
Scheduled bus services are provided in the larger urban areas such as [wiki=33416c1d32d3c19771d09bf215c7b514]Johannesburg[/wiki] and [wiki=f3aed7b995946431dd27c6d71901dd96]Pretoria[/wiki], but the service is limited compared to what you might find in most European cities.
-
By train
A rapid rail link ([url=http://www.gautrain.co.za]'Gautrain[/url]) is completed and operational between [wiki=33416c1d32d3c19771d09bf215c7b514]Johannesburg[/wiki], [wiki=f3aed7b995946431dd27c6d71901dd96]Pretoria[/wiki] and [url=http://www.airports.co.za]OR Tambo International Airport'[/url]The rapid rail system offers travel between the major centres and has a substantial bus route supporting the stations and covering most of the suburban and business areas surrounding the stations. The service is affordable and safe and the train times convenient to business and tourist hours.
-
Being a major metropolitan area there are a large number of museums and galleries that one can visit.
Anyone interested in the recent history and transformation of [wiki=c89bc418c38da77213c6c6e03cac2510]South Africa[/wiki] will find the Apartheid Museum in [wiki=33416c1d32d3c19771d09bf215c7b514]Johannesburg[/wiki] and the Mandela Family Museum in [wiki=1d3625cd179b7e39c50d56766cf8e732]Soweto[/wiki] fascinating.
The [wiki=33416c1d32d3c19771d09bf215c7b514]Johannesburg[/wiki] Art Gallery is the largest on the [wiki=f5cd262901883dff68d06b215fb0f28e]Africa[/wiki]n continent and offers a good collection of both local and international work.
[wiki=33416c1d32d3c19771d09bf215c7b514]Johannesburg[/wiki] is also home to the only officially recognized Lipizzaners school outside of [wiki=601f9226a92f0a314068aa4395f65528]Vienna[/wiki]
-
[wiki=5160f6d2168c709f5890a28652c754a1#South_Africa]Rock Climbing[/wiki]
* Enjoy some of South Africa's best wines at the Soweto Wine Festival [url=http://www.sowetowinefestival.co.za/],]the most successful trend-setting annual lifestyle event held in Soweto.
There are a number of small nature reserves located throughout Gauteng. These are surprisingly underutilized by the local population and offers a good quite getaway from the busy city life. The exception to the rule would be the Lion Park in the north of [[Johannesburg[/url]] as it has become a bit of a tourist trap and will be very busy over weekends.
Much of Gauteng's wealth originally came from the Main Reef of gold that runs east to west through the province. A visit to one of the preserved goldmines in [wiki=33416c1d32d3c19771d09bf215c7b514]Johannesburg[/wiki] and the [wiki=4186f57fd58e03a1c390c43718e7268d]West Rand[/wiki] is both interesting and educational.
-
In Gauteng the locals eat out a lot, so there are plenty of restaurants & take-away places around. [wiki=33416c1d32d3c19771d09bf215c7b514]Johannesburg[/wiki], [wiki=f3aed7b995946431dd27c6d71901dd96]Pretoria[/wiki] & surrounding areas are filled with places offering a variety of cuisine. From traditional African to American, Asian & European foods.
-
You'll be hard-pressed to find a non-licensed restaurant in Gauteng. There are many coffee shops, most of which are unlicensed since they serve hot beverages.
-
Though [wiki=abedfae798c4d0dfb99495da3dd9f4c5]Gauteng[/wiki] (particularly [wiki=33416c1d32d3c19771d09bf215c7b514]Johannesburg[/wiki]) has a reputation for crime, rest assured that it is only in certain areas.
It might be helpful to ask someone, perhaps several people, who would seem to know, what are or are not safe activities in a particular area. If you are staying in a hotel, for instance, you might ask the management where and when it is okay to walk or drive in the area. Even upscale parts of Johannesburg can be dangerous to drive through. As a general rule, to leave yourself an opening when traveling in traffic. If you are threatened or even feel that you will be, run a red light if it is your means of escape.
Certain sections of the major cities ([wiki=f3aed7b995946431dd27c6d71901dd96]Pretoria[/wiki] and [wiki=33416c1d32d3c19771d09bf215c7b514]Johannesburg[/wiki]) are best visited in a group with an experienced guide, while others can be safely visited by the individual. Though many tourists are keen to visit a Township, be advised that the only safe option is to go with a tour operator that offers the service, do not go into a township by yourself or without an experienced guide.
Unfortunately petty theft is a problem everywhere in South Africa, so keep an eye on your belongings. Never, for example, leave your mobile phone lying unattended on a table at a restaurant. Make sure, if you are carrying a handbag, that is is secure and cannot be easily grabbed off your shoulder or out of your hands. Also make sure that your belongings are not visible when in your car, as smash-and-grab incidents do occur, particularly at traffic lights.
If you are travelling with a laptop or camera, use a bag that does not advertise its contents. Disguise your laptop by using a normal backpack bag instead of a laptop bag and do the same with your camera.
-
HIV infection rate is high, DO NOT HAVE UNPROTECTED SEX.
Municipal water is safe to drink.
-
Hospitals
It is best to avoid public hospitals when possible, but private hospitals are of world class standard.
The following hospitals all cater for 24 hour accident and emergency treatment:
* Sunninghill Hospital, Cnr Witkoppen & Nanyuki Rds, Sunninghill, Johannesburg, ph:+27 (0)11 8061500
* Millpark Hospital, 9 Guild Road, Parktown West, Johannesburg, ph:+27 (0)11 4805600
* Unitas Hospital, Clifton Avenue, Lyttelton, Centurion, ph:+27 (0)12 4216700
-
[wiki=ac88ab4334b686b60dfb4c4fa7025c78]Mpumalanga Escarpment in a weekend[/wiki]
* Go east to [wiki=a6d3bea3fa66775952e080b90bb0c4f1]Mozambique[/wiki] and the world-famous [wiki=7f0d556542a2354853e941dc268a1363]Kruger National Park[/wiki] (around 4-5 hours drive).
* [wiki=07546da3bd4ae98ee1d133ddb5e2cd7a]Sun City[/wiki] and the [wiki=a70bb752a97f977eb3828a754698aaad]Pilanesberg National Park[/wiki] in the [wiki=a5658d44737f82c067e50004ba7ff060]North-West Province[/wiki] are not far away.
* The Drakensberg mountain range is only at a distance of a three hour drive.
[wiki=b040a67bcfbc16f8c0041a6c6298938d]de:Gauteng[/wiki]
[wiki=18db9cfa79af66c09a8cab44999af9ce]nl:Gauteng[/wiki]
[wiki=a680dc214adc32f60c3d2af5964e36e9]pt:Gauteng[/wiki]
[[Wikipedia:Gauteng]]
[wiki=b4802c970c10e25926e350d425f0069f]Dmoz:Africa/South_Africa/Provinces/Gauteng/[/wiki]
Seleccionar Destino
Afghanistan
Aland Islands
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antarctica
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bonaire
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Bouvet Island
Brazil
British Indian Ocean Territory
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Christmas Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Congo, Democratic Republic (ex. Zaire)
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Curacao
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
East Timor
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
France, Metropolitan
French Guiana
French Polynesia
French Southern Territories
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Heard and Mc Donald Islands
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Isle Of Man
Israel
Italy
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Japan
Jersey Island
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
Oman
Other Countries
Pakistan
Palau
Palestinian Territory
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Reunion
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Barthelemy
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Sint Maarten
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
South Korea
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syrian Arab Republic
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City State (Holy See)
Venezuela
Vietnam
Virgin Islands, British
Virgin Islands, U.S.
Wallis and Futuna Islands
Western Sahara
Yemen
Yugoslavia
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Spanish