Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or eGoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. It is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa. The city is one of the 50 largest metropolitan areas in the world and is also the world's largest city not situated on a river, lake, or coastline. Built on the wealth of the gold beneath its streets, the remarkable city of Johannesburg mushroomed from nothing to a modern metropolis in just over a century is said to offer one of the world’s best climates.
Johannesburg enjoys pleasant weather all year round, this is amongst the city's main attractions for holidaymakers. One of the reasons for such a great climate is the fact that Johannesburg is located at high altitude, at some 1,753 metres / 5,751 feet above sea level. Over much of Johannesburg, summer is characterised by hot, sunny weather - often with afternoon thunderstorms that clear quickly, leaving a warm, earthy, uniquely African smell in the air. Visitors can expect to enjoy blue skies and high temperatures during the summer months. Johannesburg gets warm and humid during the summer with average temperature of around 25 C and most of the rainfall comes during this time. Because of the heat, the storms can get quite spectacular. Many visitors prefer to visit Johannesburg during the early summer, in September or October or in autumn. At these times, climate conditions are ideal for sightseeing in comfort and, outside of the main holiday periods, Johannesburg is likely to be less crowded.
Winters in Johannesburg are moderate, with dry sunny days and chilly nights. It is the most pleasant time of the year. The days are cool and pleasant, while the nights are cold. Visitors should come prepared, then, to dress for mild days and cool evenings. The temperature drops