Gauteng means the Place of Gold and is the economic hub of Southern Africa.  It is situated in the Highveld and has the second highest population in South Africa (the highest being Kwazulu-Natal).   Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng and offers visitors a large selection of recreational, cultural and historical attractions. It is also a shopper’s paradise. The shopping malls offer superior quality merchandise, entertainment, craft markets feature African masks, carvings, dolls, baskets.   Situated a further 50km north of Johannesburg is Pretoria – renowned for its colourful gardens, shrubs and trees (particularly in Spring when the Jacarandas paint the streets mauve). Stretching out from Pretoria's pulsating rhythm, is an area incorporating the community of the beautiful Hartebeespoort dam, the bushveld game farms surrounding Warmbaths, the rustic town of Brits and the rural, yet modern Bronkhorstspruit.   The diversity of Gauteng’s offerings contributes largely to the province’s wealth.  There are many excellent museums, theatres, galleries, cultural precincts and craft markets that can be found throughout the province.  Beautiful handmade arts and crafts as well as souvenirs can be purchased from roadside vendors.  There are many African curio markets and colourful flea markets to peruse as well as upmarket world-class shopping malls selling international designer labels.   Gauteng also has a great history.  The Sharpeville Memorial and many other museums such as the Apartheid Museum stand as testament to the sons and daughters of Gauteng who gave their lives for a free South Africa. This is the smallest province of South Africa and covers 17,010 square km. The capital of Gauteng is Johannesburg.  Neighbouring provinces are Mpumalanga, Free State, the North-West and Limpopo. Gauteng, translated directly into English from Sotho, means place “Place of gold”. 20% of the citizens speak Afrikaans, followed by English and Zulu.   The rapid increase in population during the 1886 gold rush caused the industrial and population conurbation. Gauteng is the most densely populated province in South Africa. More than a third of all the jobs in the country are in Gauteng.   Johannesburg is a pulsating, economically-oriented metropolis but simultaneously is a city with high fences and a high crime rate. Pretoria, which used to be the capital of the Transvaal, is now home to Parliament during winter, and is the capital of South Africa. The airport, Johannesburg International, is one of the entrances for tourists to South Africa.   A few sights to see:   Johannesburg Pretoria Soweto Cullinan diamond mine Krugersdorp Game Reserve Heia Safari Ranch