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Although Pretoria has a strong Afrikaner flavour, English is used widely here. You can also hear a combination of languages spoken on the streets - anything from south Sotho to Mandarin. The Union Buildings, the Voortrekker Monument, the University of South Africa and the State Theatre are all architectural attractions that give Pretoria its character. So does Loftus Versfeld, one of the most famous sports stadiums in South Africa. Worth a view are the Pretoria Zoo and the Tswaing crater in the Tswaing Nature Reserve, where a meteor slammed into the earth. The National Zoological Gardens - known to the locals simply as "the zoo" - is a fetching stretch of greenery located right in the heart of the city, on the banks of the Apies River. Poolside barbecues, golf, tennis, fishing, hunting, game viewing, adventure sports (sky diving, micro-light flying) - these are all popular Pretoria entertainment activities. If there is a sport you'd like to pursue, or simply watch or research, chances are one of its main bases is in Pretoria. The Transvaal Museum in Paul Kruger Street tells of the area's natural history with animal, bird, archaeological and geological displays - 'bones and stones', if you will. The Rietvlei Nature Reserve and Rietvlei Dam is home to small antelope, lovely trees and scenic picnic spots. The Wonderboom Nature Reserve borders the Magaliesburg area and is rich in historical artifacts. Art lovers who appreciate African and Southern African art should visit the Pretoria Art Museum in Arcadia. The National Cultural History Museum is also rich in expressions of rock art, Ndebele murals and various historic gold and silver artifacts.
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