Essentials: Johannesburg

1) eGoli is a Zulu name. It means place of gold and is commonly used for Johannesburg. Not without reason. Over 40 percent of the world's annual production of the precious metal was once mined here and in the immediate vicinity.

2) It takes over an hour to get to the end of the deepest mine in the world, the Mponeng gold mine southwest of Johannesburg. Once you get there, you’re in for a surprise: the temperature is 55 degrees! 

3) If you want to boil an egg, make sure you allow for one minute extra. Johannesburg is 1753 meters above sea level. The boiling point of water, which depends on the pressure in the atmosphere and is only 100 degrees Celsius at normal pressure, is simply lower at higher altitudes. 

4) You will find the largest artificially created urban forest in the world in Johannesburg. More than 10 million trees have already been planted, and many more are added every year. Not only does this help against the greenhouse effect, it also reduces the constant noise of the city.

5) There are other treasures to be found around Johannesburg besides gold. A total of 40 percent of all fossil finds have been made in this region. It is known as the Cradle of Humankind and is one of South Africa's World Heritage Sites. In fact, a new early human species, "Homo naledi", was discovered here about ten years ago.