Founded in 1886, Johannesburg is one of the 100 largest urban areas in the world.
As mentioned on the City of Johannesburg Webpage:
Johannesburg is a young city with an incredible history and legacy.
City of Johannesburg Webpage
The settlement sprang up in 1886 when prospectors found gold in the area now known as the Witwatersrand. When the discovery became public, thousands flocked here in search of fortune and new opportunities.
Today, Johannesburg still attracts those who want to realise their dreams and achieve success.
The new city was named after two officials of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR); Johannes Meyer a and Johannes Rissik.
​Johannesburg grew rapidly and quickly transformed from a small settlement into a full-fledged city. It seemed like nothing could stop its growth, not even the Anglo-Boer war. In those tumultuous times, and beyond, Johannesburg has always been recognised as the golden beating heart of South Africa.
Through the years, Johannesburg has been the site of many iconic events. It was where the Springboks beat the All Blacks to take the Rugby World Cup in 1995, and, most recently, it was where South Africa showed the world that we can host an event as large as the FIFA Soccer World Cup with style and grace.
As with many large cities, we encourage you to take caution when exploring this dynamic city. There are many interesting places to visit, but not all are safe. Please take time to learn about the areas you want to see and seek advice from a local.
Some useful web sites:
A First Timers Guide to Johannesburg
A Travel Guide of Johannesburg
