Johannesburg South Africa Facts

Johannesburg is located in the eastern plateau area of South Africa, known as the Highveld, at an elevation of 1,753 metres (5,751 ft). The city is located on the south side of the main ridge called the Witwatersrand (Afrikaans: White Water s Ridge) and the land falls steadily to the north and south through a series of sloping hills. At this point the Witwatersrand marks the watershed between the Limpopo and Vaal rivers. The city s wealthy northern suburbs have undulating hills with spectacular views, as do the less desirable western suburbs. The eastern metro area is generally flat.

The city enjoys a dry, sunny climate, with the exception of occasional late afternoon downpours in the summer months of October to April. Temperatures in Johannesburg are usually fairly mild thanks to the city s high altitude, with the average maximum daytime temperature in January of +26 °C (79 °F), dropping to an average maximum of around +16 °C (61 °F) in June. Winter is the sunniest time of the year, with cool days and cold nights. The temperature occasionally drops to below freezing at night, causing frost. Snow is a rare occurrence, with snowfall having been experienced in May 1956, September 1981, and August 2006 (light). Snow fell again on 27 June 2007, accumulating up to 10 centimeters (3.9 in) in the southern suburbs. Regular cold fronts pass over in winter bringing very cold southerly winds but usually clear skies. The annual average rainfall is 713 millimetres (28.1 in), which is mostly concentrated in the summer months. Infrequent showers occur through the course of the winter months.

Despite the relatively dry climate, Johannesburg has about ten million trees, and it is the biggest man-made forest in the world.[8] Many trees were originally planted in the northern areas of the city at the end of the 19th century, to provide wood for the mining industry. The areas were developed by the Randlord, Hermann Eckstein, a German immigrant, who called the forest estates Sachsenwald. The name was changed to Saxonwold, now the name of a suburb, during World War I. Early (white) residents who moved into the areas (Parkhurst, Parktown, Parkview, Westcliff, Saxonwold, Houghton Estate, Iloo, Hyde Park, Dunkeld, Melrose, Inanda, Sandhurst) now collectively referred to as the Northern Suburbs retained many of the original trees and planted new ones, with the encouragement of successive city councils. In recent years, however, a considerable number of trees have been felled, to make way for the Northern Suburbs speedy residential and commercial redevelopment. The city is, therefore, at risk of losing its forest coverage within a few decades.

• African Soul Safaris - Offering hunting and photographic safaris. Includes photos, terms and conditions, and contact information.
• Cultural Encounters - Day and walking tours around Johannesburg, Soweto and Pretoria.
• Elangeni - Entertainment venue situated at Orlanda Ekhaya, Soweto.
• The Lion Park - View a wide range of African wildlife species from the comfort of your car.
• Midrand Accommodation - What to do and where to stay in Midrand.
• Vaal Meander - Provides general information on boat trips, art, crafts, restaurants, coffee shops, English tea gardens, pubs and township tours.