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AfricaSouth AfricaGauteng

Johannesburg

Gauteng, South Africa · Africa

About Johannesburg

Johannesburg is worth a stop: 20 minutes from Alberton, 5km from Apartheid Museum.

Johannesburg is a major city located in Gauteng, South Africa. With a population of 9,418,183, it is one of the largest urban centers in Africa.

On a road trip, Johannesburg sits in South Africa, where you drive on the left. It's in the Africa/Johannesburg time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Johannesburg to your route.

About Johannesburg

Johannesburg ( joh-HAN-iss-burg, US also -⁠HAHN-, Afrikaans: [jʊəˈɦanəsbœrχ] ; Xhosa: eGoli [ɛˈɡɔːli]; Zulu: iGoli [îˈɡóːli]), colloquially known as Jozi, Joburg or "The City of Gold", is the most populous city in South Africa. In 2022 (the year of the most recent census), the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan

Read more Municipality had a population of 4,803,262, and the wider metropolitan area a population of 15,099,422, making it one of the 100 largest urban areas in the world. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, and seat of the country's highest court, the Constitutional Court. Situated on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand, the city has long been at the epicentre of the international mineral and gold trade. The richest city in Africa by GDP and private wealth, Johannesburg functions as the economic capital of South Africa and is home to the continent's largest stock exchange, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Johannesburg was established in 1886, following the discovery of gold, on what was once farmland. Within a decade, the population surged to over 100,000, driven by the large gold deposits found along the Witwatersrand. Modern Johannesburg is an amalgamation of formerly separate cities, townships and settlements, reflecting apartheid-era spatial segregation policies. Soweto ("South-Western Townships"), designated a "blacks only" city until 1994, is one of the most historically significant areas for modern South Africa. Home to key anti-apartheid leaders, including Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, it became the epicenter of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, where peaceful student protests were met with brutal force. In contrast, Lenasia is predominantly populated by English-speaking Indo-South Africans (people of Indian and South Asian descent). Formerly "white-only" areas include Sandton, known as "Africa's richest square-mile", Randburg and Roodeport.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Johannesburg

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Johannesburg?

Johannesburg offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Johannesburg?

Plan your road trip to Johannesburg with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Johannesburg as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Johannesburg located?

Johannesburg is located in Gauteng, South Africa, Africa. The coordinates are -26.2023 latitude, 28.0436 longitude.

What is the population of Johannesburg?

Johannesburg has a population of approximately 9,418,183 people, making it a major city in South Africa.

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Quick Information

Population
9,418,183
Continent
Africa
Country
South Africa
Region
Gauteng
Timezone
Africa/Johannesburg
Coordinates
-26.2023, 28.0436

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in South Africa

Police
10111
Ambulance
10177
Fire
10177
All emergencies
112
Driving side
left

112 works from mobiles. Avoid driving at night in rural areas; keep doors locked in cities.

Full driving guide for South Africa

Tags

AfricaSouth AfricaGautengMajor City

Worth the detour from Johannesburg

3 notable places within an hour's drive.

museum

Apartheid Museum

A powerful and moving museum that documents the rise and fall of apartheid in South Africa.

5 km · about 10 min drive

racetrack

Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit

South Africa's premier racing facility and former Formula 1 venue now hosting international GT and endurance racing.

24 km · about 25 min drive

racetrack

Zwartkops Raceway

A tight, undulating 2.4km circuit near Pretoria that is the heart of South African historic racing, with the Passion for Speed meeting each January drawing significant international machinery.

44 km · about 50 min drive

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Johannesburg.

Alberton

🇿🇦 South Africa

11 km awayPop. 121,536

Alexandra

🇿🇦 South Africa

12 km awayPop. 179,624

Randburg

🇿🇦 South Africa

13 km awayPop. 337,053

Edenvale

🇿🇦 South Africa

13 km awayPop. 49,292

Germiston

🇿🇦 South Africa

14 km awayPop. 255,863

Eastleigh

🇿🇦 South Africa

14 km awayPop. 6,988

Eden Glen

🇿🇦 South Africa

15 km awayPop. 7,345

Eden Glen Ext 60

🇿🇦 South Africa

15 km awayPop. 5,494

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence