City (pop., 2005 est.: metro. area, 1,282,000), administrative capital of the Republic of South Africa. Founded in 1855, it became the capital of the Transvaal in 1860, the administrative capital of South Africa in 1910, and a city in 1931. In 1899, during the South African War (1899–1902), Winston Churchill was imprisoned there until his escape.
Pretoria is primarily a seat of government, and most people are employed in the service sector. It is also an important rail centre, with an industrial economy based on iron and steel. Its educational institutions include the University of South Africa (1873) and the University of Pretoria (1908). Pretoria became part of the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality in 2000. &Seealso; Bloemfontein; Cape Town.
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