Johannesburg location and Orientation

Tourists must have a brief idea about Johannesburg location and orientation before undertaking a trip to this beautiful city of South Africa. The city of Johannesburg is situated in one of the most prosperous provinces of South Africa. Tourists visiting the city can avail of minibus, taxis, the underground metro and the Metrobus service. Railways connect the southern parts of the city.

Geographical Location of Johannesburg

Johannesburg is the capital of Gauteng, one of the richest provinces of South Africa. The city houses a large population. Its contribution to the economy of Sub Saharan Africa is immense. Johannesburg lies on the Witwatersrand Range which has a large deposit of minerals, especially gold and diamond. Soweto, the township set up by the South African apartheid government for the migrant laborers, is situated to the south west of Johannesburg.

Johannesburg lies on the eastern plateau of South Africa, which is called Highveld. The altitude of the place is 1753 meters above the sea level. The northern and western sides of the city are encompassed by mountain ranges, while the eastern regions are much flatter.

Airports of the city

The city of Johannesburg is accessible from the O.R. Tambo International Airport, which operates flights from the rest of the world. Johannesburg also has other airports that cater to both international and domestic flights. These are the Rand Airport, Lanseria Airport and Grand Central Airport.

The Minibus Taxi and the Metro

Minibus taxis, the metro and the bus service are some common means of transport in Johannesburg. The metro connects Johannesburg with some of the cities like Soweto, Pretoria, and the towns dotting Witwatersrand. The railway transport links the older regions in the city's southern part. Railway tracks have not yet been built in the northern region.

Metrobus

Metrobus, a corporate body under the City of Johannesburg, runs a private bus service, comprising of double deckers and single buses. This 550 strong fleet includes 200 buses jointly manufactured by Volvo and Marcopolo/Brasa. The Metrobus service covers 84 routes in Johannesburg. In addition to this, the Metrobus also runs the "City Slickers". These are open topped buses that conduct tours around the city. Metered taxis in and around Johannesburg is very rare.

The city of Johannesburg, which is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, is currently building up on its transport system to afford tourists and visitors with a hassle free travel.