| The city of Johannesburg is the commercial and | | | | Remembering Gandhi |
| financial heart of South Africa. It is known by | | | | Mahatma Gandhi once lived in Johannesburg and |
| numerous nicknames; Gauteng and Egoli, for example, | | | | worked as a lawyer and civil rights activist. Of |
| and they all mean "place of gold." It was the | | | | course, this often got him in trouble with the |
| discovery of gold that first brought settlers to this | | | | Transvaal Law Courts. Today a busy downtown |
| place over a hundred years ago, and the Western | | | | square that was completely renovated in 2002 is |
| Deep Gold Mine is still producing wealth. | | | | named after him. In the centre of Gandhi Square |
| Gold Reef City | | | | there is a life sized statue of the great pacifist leader. |
| Just eight kilometers (5 miles) south of Johannesburg | | | | This is one of the most trendy shopping areas in |
| is Gold Reef City, a wonderful reconstruction of | | | | South Africa, with many boutiques and cafes, and an |
| Johannesburg as it appeared in the 1890s when it | | | | arcade that links it to Marshall Street. |
| was a frontier mining camp. It is built around Shaft | | | | Key Downtown Landmark |
| 14, a gold mine that was in operation from 1887 to | | | | The Carlton Centre is fifty storeys high, making it not |
| 1971. The amusement park here has twenty-six rides | | | | only the tallest building in South Africa, but also the |
| that are all free of charge, but the real attraction is | | | | tallest on the African continent. It is the key landmark |
| gold. You can pan for gold at Digger Joe's Prospector | | | | of downtown Johannesburg. The Carlton Centre is |
| Camp, and see an actual demonstration of gold being | | | | part of a 5 star hotel complex. It has an underground |
| poured. There are excellent museums, such as | | | | shopping mall with 180 stores and several restaurants. |
| Gemstone World. Be sure to take a ride on the Gold | | | | There is even an ice skating rink. Take the elevator |
| reef City train. This park has a festive atmosphere | | | | to the Top of Africa observation deck on the 50th |
| that makes it one of the most popular attractions in | | | | floor for some spectacular panoramic views of the |
| South Africa. | | | | city. |
| A City For Art Lovers | | | | Turbulent History |
| Lovers of art may be surprised to find that one of | | | | Of course, it is difficult to think of South Africa |
| the best art galleries in South Africa is housed in an | | | | without taking into consideration its turbulent history, |
| operational bank. The Standard Bank Art Gallery | | | | and events that are still in living memory. Go to the |
| provides a showcase for both local and international | | | | Apartheid Museum to learn all about those dark days |
| artists. The bank displays its own impressive collection | | | | when racist policies were a fact of everyday life. The |
| of fine works of art, and also hosts visiting exhibits. | | | | displays of photographs and artifacts inside are |
| In addition, the building is a venue for concerts and | | | | powerful reminders of a courageous struggle against |
| recitals. At Joubert Park there are displays of | | | | oppression. The Old Prison Complex on Constitution |
| historical, traditional, and modern South African art. | | | | Hill, and the South African National Museum of Military |
| Visitors can also see displays of ceramics and | | | | History are also important points of interest for |
| sculpture. | | | | history buffs visiting Johannesburg. |