Pretoria is the Administrative Capital of South Africa, with most of the foreign embassies located here, thus giving the whole city a dignified presence. Although it is in close proximity to Johannesburg, it has a totally different feel. There are avenues of purple flowering jacaranda trees and sculptures and monuments that attest to the Afrikaner history. Great care has been taken to preserve the architecture in the city center such as Church Square. Overlooking the whole of the city from a hilltop are the magnificently designed Union Buildings, built in golden stone with Italian tiled roofs, a Romanesque amphitheatre and African sculptures. Political advancements have brought high-tech shopping centers, museums, art galleries and multi-culinary restaurants.
