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Gauteng, the smallest province in South Africa, derives its name from a Sesotho word, which means ‘place of gold’. It earns this nickname owing to the gold discovered in the province, specifically Johannesburg.
The province was created after the first all-race election in South Africa in 1994, from a former Transvaal Province. Initially christened as Pretoria-Witwatersrand-Vereeniging (or PWV) in April 1994, it was renamed Gauteng in December 1994.
Gauteng is located in the north-east of South Africa. This province is home to Pretoria, which is the executive or administrative capital of South Africa. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, apart from being the third largest city of Africa. Tshwane, Westrand, Metsweding and Sedibeng are the other popular regions of the province.
It is the only landlocked province in the country that does not share its borders with any other country. It is surrounded by four provinces, Mpumalanga, North West, Limpopo and Free State to the east, west, north and south respectively.
Located in Highveld, Gauteng is the most populous province in the country. This economic hub of the country is also a centre of education, with numerous colleges and universities. This urban province is also home to many nature reserves including botanical gardens, provincial reserves along with private and municipal reserves. Moreover, the city is well connected through flights, buses, trains and other modes of transportation.
There are several sightseeing, activities, shopping, excursions, and more that tourists can do while in Gauteng. Tourists can visit the place any time of the year as the climate of the region is pleasant, with warm summers and cool winters.
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