It is one of the most populous mining centers in the county.
It is the most populous city and the commercial capital of South Africa.
A great portion of the ground within the wall lines is not occupied by buildings, especially in the north-western quarter; and even in the more populous parts of the city, near the river, a considerable space between the houses is occupied by gardens, where pomegr a nates, figs, oranges, lemons and date-palms grow in great abundance, so that the city, when seen at a distance, has the appearance of rising out of the midst of trees.
To the north lies the populous suburb of St Mary Church.
It embraced a population second to that of India alone, as China, probably the most populous country in the world, has not yet been subjected to this test.
