ABOUT GAUTENG
Gauteng, Place of Gold, is the economic powerhouse of the Southern African region and home to Africa’s greatest cities. From the vibrant metropolis of Soweto, through dynamic Johannesburg, City of Gold to the tree-lined diplomacy of Pretoria, Gauteng is a cosmopolitan, multicultural mix of people from all walks of life.
Gauteng occupies just 1.4% of the land area of South Africa, but the province is densely populated and urbanised, and accounts for 33% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). It is the economic heart of Africa, chipping in an impressive 10% to the continent’s GDP.
The province is located in the Highveld of South Africa, situated on a high-altitude plateau of extensive grasslands about 1 500m (4 900ft) above sea-level. It is landlocked, surrounded by four other provinces. The Vaal River forms a natural border to the Free State, while the North West is located to the west, Limpopo to the north and Mpumalanga to the east.
Weather
The highveld, which includes most of the larger towns and cities, have a nearly idyllic climate for enjoying the outdoors. It is almost always possible to plan a picnic or barbecue and seldom be disappointed with the weather.
Summer is marked by warm to hot days, often tempered by exciting thunder storms that cool the air and bring mild evenings. Gauteng enjoys seven months of summer (October to April) with temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius (87 degrees Fahrenheit) and above.
Winters can be fiercely cold but more often than less we have cloudless blue skies during the day that bring a certain amount of warmth at noon. Temperatures generally reach 20 degrees Celsius (69 degrees Fahrenheit).
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PACKAGES AND SPECIALS
