Pretoria

Pretoria/Tshwane
Some 50 km north of Johannesburg lies Pretoria, which resides within the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality - a cluster of metropolitan municipalities and councils that amalgamated in December 2002.  As administrative capital of the Republic, Pretoria is dominated by government services and the diplomatic corps of foreign representatives in South Africa.  

Pretoria is renowned for its colourful gardens, shrubs and trees, particularly beautiful in spring when the 50 000 jacarandas envelop the avenues in mauve. The city developed at a more sedate pace than Johannesburg, and the town planners had the foresight to include an abundance of open spaces. Pretoria has more than 100 parks, including bird sanctuaries and nature reserves.

An air of history pervades much of central Pretoria, especially Church Square, around which the city has grown.  Church Square is regarded by many as the cradle of the city and it is often the point of departure for historical sightseeing tours. Many buildings of historical and architectural importance have been retained or restored to their former splendour.

Copyright: South African Tourism