NORTHCLIFF HISTORY AND INFORMATION

Northcliff is an affluent residential suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. The suburb is located on Northcliff Ridge which offers vistas of the Central Business District on one side, and the leafy northern suburbs on the other. Northcliff's huge homes are nestled around a steep incline of the hill, and on the foot of Northcliff borders the suburbs of Fairlands, Blackheath, Cresta and Berario. Recently some streets have been boomed in order to provide Northcliff's high-income residents with more security and exclusivity.

Although erroneously included by Google Maps as part of Randburg, Northcliff has never been part of Randburg. Northcliff Hill (also known as Aasvoëlkop (Vulture Ridge) due to the cliffs being predominantly inhabited by these birds of prey before being urbanised) is believed to have been populated by humans for over 250,000 years. At 1807 metres, the ridge is the second highest point in Johannesburg, being one metre lower than Observatory Ridge. It has three vegetation zones and is inhabited by many different animals.

Northcliff is served by Cresta Shopping Centre, one of the largest malls in Johannesburg which is located on the border of Northcliff in the suburb of Cresta. Many other smaller suburban shopping complexes are within easy access, for example Northcliff Corner, The Verdi Centre, Heathway Square and Home Living Design Centre. Marang House, a home for seriously ill children, is based in Northcliff.

While actually located in Blackheath, the suburb gives its name to Northcliff High School.