9 Interesting Facts About Cities In South Africa That Might Shock You!
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It’s no secret that South Africa is home to some amazing cities. From the humid rainforests of the East to the arid deserts of the West, this country is home to some truly incredible urban landscapes. It’s hard not to feel inspired when you visit one of these cities, but what you might not know about South African cities is that they are home to fascinating facts! Unusual sights, unusual buildings, and remarkable history are all things in which these cities excel. Here are nine interesting facts about South African cities that will shock you.
Cape Town is the most unequal city in the world.
Cape Town is home to some of the most extreme wealth inequality in the world. It’s also one of the most unequal places in the world, period. This is because of the city’s enormous gap between the rich and the poor. While the poverty rate in the city is only around 20%, the rich-poor divide is considerable. The wealthiest 10% of the population control more than 70% of the wealth in the city. While this inequality has been dramatically reduced in recent years owing to government initiatives, it remains one of South Africa’s most unique urban features.
Durban has its time zone.
Many places in the world have their time zones. However, Durban is one of the few cities with its time zone, which uses it all year long. Durban’s time zone is 30 minutes behind the rest of the country. This time zone was established after the First World War to make it easier for troops to coordinate. It has remained since and does not appear to be going anywhere. While this is undoubtedly an unusual fact about Durban, it’s hard to ignore when you visit. It also makes the city a popular destination for tourists, who come to the city to experience something different from the rest of the world.
Johannesburg has no water.
Although this may seem impossible, it’s true! Johannesburg has no water. This is because the city’s water supply comes entirely from the Vaal River, which the government controls. This is an unusual fact about Johannesburg because it puts the city at a significant disadvantage. Many other cities in South Africa have their water supply, meaning they can control it. However, the government has sole control over the water supply in Johannesburg. This means that if the government decides that there is a need to shut off the water supply, it can, and there is nothing that the city can do about it.
There’s a train that can go up to 1,100 km/h
The Gautrain is a high-speed railway system that serves the Gauteng Province of South Africa. The Gautrain is the fastest train in Africa and one of the fastest in the world. It can travel up to 1,100 km/h or 759 mph. This makes it one of the fastest trains in the world, with only a few trains in Asia and Europe exceeding it. This makes it an ideal way to get around the province, although few have the opportunity to ride it. Very few people have ever ridden the Gautrain, primarily reserved for VIPs and business executives.
Pretoria is home to the largest telescope in Africa.
The largest telescope in Africa can be found in Pretoria. It’s known as the Southern African Large Telescope or SALT for short. This makes Pretoria one of the few cities in the world where you can see the stars up close. This telescope is one of the largest in the world, with a diameter of 10 meters. As a result, it can see much more than other telescopes. On a clear night, SALT can see stars that are 10 billion light years away. No other telescope in Africa can do that. While few are lucky enough to see the stars, this telescope is one of the most exciting facts about Pretoria. It makes the city a hub of astronomy and science, attracting scientists from all around the world.
Bloubergstrand is constantly being blown away by strong winds.
Bloubergstrand is one of the most well-known beaches in South Africa. However, it is not known for its sand but for its giant dunes. These dunes are constantly being blown away by strong winds. This means that the dunes are continually growing and shrinking. If the winds are strong enough, they can shift the dunes, creating new land. The dries will be blown back towards the sea if the winds are light. This process happens naturally, but in this city, it happens regularly. It makes Bloubergstrand one of the most exciting cities in South Africa and a must-see for any beach-goer.
The most significant contention between residents and developers is adhering to strict heritage preservation guidelines.
Many cities in South Africa have strict preservation guidelines that govern the types of buildings that can be built in certain areas. This is because many of the cities in South Africa have a rich cultural heritage. As such, many cities have historic buildings that must be preserved. However, these preservation guidelines often make it difficult for developers to build new structures. Sometimes, it is impossible to build large new buildings without demolishing old ones. This is a point of contention between residents and developers.
Conclusion
These facts show that South Africa is home to some of the world’s most exciting and unusual cities. If you’re looking to experience something out of the ordinary, you can’t go wrong with visiting one of these cities. From the largest telescope in Africa to the one with no water, these cities are certainly worth a visit.
