Johannesburg: City of beautiful autumn colours [photos]
Driving around the City of Gold at this time of year is a pure delight for the eyes. The autumn colours are nothing short of impressive.
While the City of Gold receives a lot of criticism for its failing infrastructure, endless bouts of state-managed power outages, water shortages and other dysfunctionality, it is also the bearer of immense beauty right now.
Being a city full of trees, Johannesburg is able to put on spectacular displays of colour when temperatures start to dip and leaves start to fall, signaling the end of the warm season.
Parts of the city offer colourful scenery reminiscent of locations in Canada and the USA during fall (autumn).
JOHANNESBURG’S MANMADE FOREST
Johannesburg is home to the largest man-made forest in the world, a feat achieved through years of hard work and dedication. The forest was established in 1906 when over 3 million trees were planted in the area, with the aim of providing a green belt around the city.
The initial plantings consisted mainly of eucalyptus and pine trees, which were well suited to the area’s climate and soil conditions. Jozi’s forest covers an area of over 10 000 hectares. The forest is a haven for biodiversity, providing a habitat for various species of animals and plants.
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THE COLOURS OF FALL
In North America fall is when the foliage begins to change hues, and falls to the ground. Even individuals who are colour-blind begin to notice the spectacular colours around them!
Many people enjoy spending time outdoors, taking walks, rides and drives to places where they can enjoy the myriad of colours on display.
WHERE TO SEE THE MAGIC
You could easily be mistaken for thinking you are somewhere in North America right now, with the splendid array of colours on display as you travel the lengths and breadths of Johannesburg.
While there are magical displays of colour in many areas across the city, areas around The Parks boast some pretty colourful displays. The Parks is home to large concentrations of established trees.
THE PARKS
The Parks in northern Johannesburg include some of the city’s leafiest neighbourhoods, boasting wide tree-lined streets and some prime real estate.
The area includes suburbs such as Parkwood, Parkview, Parktown North, Saxonwold, Westcliff and surrounding areas. Johannesburg Botanical Gardens and areas around the suburb of Emmarentia are also worth checking out.
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