Interesting Gauteng Facts
OR Tambo International Airport competes with the best airports in the world. It is the hub of South Africa’s international and domestic air travel.
There are several small airports – Lanseria, Rand, Grand Central and Wonderboom – that link the province with the rest of the country.
The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto is the one of the largest hospitals in the world.
Johannesburg is recognised as an urban forest because of its millions of trees.
Gauteng is the smallest of South Africa’s nine provinces, but also the most densely populated and the fastest growing – not too surprising, really, as Gauteng means ‘Place of Gold’ (gold has been intertwined with the province’s history ever since its discovery in the Johannesburg area in 1886). It is a province of contrasts – old and new, contemporary and traditional, dense cities and wide-open grasslands, all co-existing. Although dominated by urban areas, there are a number of great natural attractions, like the Dinokeng Game Reserve, Gauteng’s only Big Five nature reserve; the Pretoria National Botanical Garden; and the Magaliesberg mountains.
Where to go in Gauteng
Johannesburg
The city of Johannesburg lies in the heart of Gauteng and is an evolving, vibrant city. Containing the dynamic business district along with the friendly neighbour of Maboneng, this city is considered to be one of the most successful urban-renewal projects in the world.
Cradle of Humankind
One of South Africa's eight World Heritage Sites and the only in Gauteng. Home to the world's oldest palaeontological digs.
Pretoria
The administrative capital of South Africa, Pretoria has seen an abundance of history and change since the forming of the Union of South Africa in 1910. From seeing Nelson Mandela sworn in as president to today and the informal, free feel of the suburbs.
Soweto
Crucial in the countries progressive history, Soweto was once a township. Now you will find a population of over a million people, various neighbourhoods and outstanding amenities. In Soweto, you will find the only street in the world where two Nobel Peace Prize Winners have lived, Nelson Mandle and Desmond Tutu.
