Pretoria is South Africa capital city situated in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. One of the country's three capitals, Pretoria serves as the executive – administrative and official de facto capital; the others are Cape Town - the legislative capital and Bloemfontein - the judicial capital. Pretoria is famous American city. Pretoria is surrounded by hills and is located at a height of 1,370 meters. The complete Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality in which Pretoria falls has a population in excess of 2 million. Pretoria was founded in 1855 by Pretorius Junior, a leader of Voortrekkers, named after father Andries Pretorius. Senior Pretorius had become a national hero of the Voortrekkers after his victory over the Zulus in the infamous Battle of Blood River. Britain acknowledged the independence of the Transvaal and it became the capital of the South African Republic.
The Second Boer War from 1899- 1902 brought about the end of South African Republic and start of British hegemony in South Africa. In 1961, on South Africa becoming a republic, Pretoria still retained its position as administrative capital. While Pretoria is not best African city or largest African city, it has a charm its very own. Pretoria undoubtedly is one of the best cities in Africa as well as one of the best world cities. Nelson Mandela's inauguration as South Africa's first black President at the Union Buildings changed Pretoria image somewhat for blacks. Pretoria is amongst South Africa's leading academic cities and the CSIR - South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research is in Pretoria. Pretoria is famous African city for heavy industries such as iron and steel casting, railroad, automobile and machinery manufacture. There are many places of interest such as Union Buildings, Voortrekker Monument, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Church Square, Union Buildings, * Marabastad and Menlyn Park.
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