Johannesburg

Johannesburg is the most populous city in South Africa and the second (or third) most populous city in Sub-Saharan Africa, behind Lagos (and probably behind Kinshasa). Local residents have nicknamed the city "Jo'burg", "Jozi", and "". Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng Province, the wealthiest province in South Africa, and the site of the South African Constitutional Court. It is one of the newest major cities in the world, and is one of the few major cities in the world not along a coast or near a large river.

Economy

Johannesburg is the economic and financial hub of South Africa, producing 16 percent of South Africa's gross domestic product, and accounts for 40 percent of Gauteng's economic activity. Mining is the foundation of the Witwatersrand's economy, but its importance is gradually declining. While gold mining no longer takes place within the city limits, most mining companies have their headquarters in Johannesburg. The city has a great variety of manufacturing industries, including steel and cement plants. Many banking and commercial companies are also located in Johannesburg. Johannesburg has Africa's largest stock exchange, the JSE Securities Exchange. Due to its commercial importance, this city is the site of a number of government branch offices, as well as consular offices and other institutions that are usually found only in capital cities. The Witwatersrand urban complex is a major consumer of water in a dry region. Its continued economic and population growth has depended on schemes to divert water from other regions of South Africa and from the highlands of Lesotho, but additional sources will be needed early in the 21st century.

Related Topics:
Gross domestic product - Mining - Witwatersrand - City limits - Headquarters - Steel - Cement - JSE Securities Exchange - Water - Lesotho - 21st century

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The container terminal at City Deep is purported to be the largest "dry port" in the world, with some 60 percent of cargo that arrives through the port of Durban arriving in Johannesburg. The City Deep area has been declared an IDZ (industrial development zone) by the Gauteng government, as part of the Blue IQ Project.

Related Topics:
Durban - Blue IQ Project

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Johannesburg's largest and most prestigious shopping centres are Sandton City and Hyde Park. Other centres include Eastgate, Westgate, Northgate, Southgate, and Cresta. There are also plans to build an extremely large shopping centre, known as the Zonk'Izizwe Shopping Resort, in Midrand. "Zonk'Izizwe" means "All Nations" in isiZulu, indicating that the centre will cater to the city's diverse mix of peoples and races.

Related Topics:
Sandton City - Hyde Park - Eastgate - Westgate - Northgate - Southgate - Cresta - Zonk'Izizwe Shopping Resort - Midrand - IsiZulu

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~