The most – and most important – action at World Cup 2010 will take place in Johannesburg, where nearly a quarter of the tournament’s 64 matches will be held.
South Africa’s biggest city is home to Soccer City, the tournament’s biggest venue and where the tournament opener and the final will be held, and it’s also home to Coca-Cola Park (a.k.a. Ellis Park Stadium), where seven matches will take place.
Johannesburg was established in 1886, and it’s become South Africa’s leading economic and financial center, producing a sizable piece of the country‘s GDP.
Along with having three Premier Soccer League sides, Kaizer Chiefs, Moroka Swallows, and Orlando Pirates, two rugby union sides play in Johannesburg, and its Wanderers Stadium is one of the homes of the Highveld Lions first class cricket team.
Johannesburg City Parks is responsible for the maintaining of the city’s many parks and gardens, including the Johannesburg Botanical Garden, whose Rose Garden is home to an astounding 10,000 roses.
There are also many history and art museums in the area, such as the Apartheid Museum and the Johannesburg Art Gallery, and there are numerous shopping centers and other attractions for tourists.
Johannesburg is also home to the tallest building in Africa, the 50-story, 730-foot (223 meters) high Carlton Centre, which is eclipsed in height by both the Sentech Tower and the Hillbrow Tower, which stand 768 feet (237 meters) and 882 feet (269 meters), respectively.
See all World Cup host cities.
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