The glittering city of Johannesburg, famed for its gold and diamond trade and its magnificent sunsets, is South Africa’s economic and financial hub and one of the world’s leading financial centers. The city is also the seat of South Africa’s (post-apartheid) Constitutional Court. Beneath the increasingly polished veneer of modern-day Jo’burg, lies the original boomtown, as gritty and gutsy as it was in yesteryear. Following the abolition of apartheid and the Group Areas Act (dictating where racial groups could reside), Johannesburg’s city center became heavily over-populated and prone to spiraling crime rates. In recent decades, measures have been taken to restore order and crime rates have fallen significantly. Nevertheless, most expats are still inclined to head for the wealthier districts of Sandton, Randburg, Fourways and Midrand areas. Not only is Johannesburg an increasingly safe city to live in, it is also one of the greenest; with roughly 6 million trees in the city, Johannesburg boasts the largest “manmade” forest on the planet. To get the lay of the land, head for Africa’s tallest building. Located in the CBD, The Carlton Center’s observation deck on the 50th floor offers sweeping vistas of the city, including the city’s notorious Soweto (South Western Township). To get a real flavor of the city, arm yourself with some Zulu phrases and indulge in the local fare: miele pap and stew. Johannesburg’s mild climate, breathtakingly beautiful countryside, its post-rainy season flowers that bloom into a riot of color, the local wines and fantastic local restaurants, make it a city that is easy to call your own.