Free State

The Free State with its rolling hills, wide golden plains, impressive sandstone mountains and almost 340 days of sunshine per year, is a haven for the outdoor enthusiast.

'The Free State landscape gladdens my heart, no matter what my mood. When I am here I feel that nothing can shut me in, that my thoughts can roam as far as the horizons.'  Nelson Mandela.

Geography

The two main cities in the province are Bloemfontein, the capital and Welkom.  Bloemfontein is the economic and cultural centre of the Free State.  It is also called the City of Roses and is the seat of the South African Supreme Court.

The Free State lies in the heart of South Africa, with the Kingdom of Lesotho nestling in the hollow of its bean-like shape.  It has the Vaal River in the north and the Orange River in the south.

The largest visible meteor-impact site in the world is situated near Parys in the northern Free State.  2-billion years ago a meteorite, 10 kilometers wide slammed into the earth, creating the Vredefort Dome which is one of South Africa’s seven Unesco World Heritage sites.

Climate

The Free State is a summer-rainfall region.  It can be extremely cold during the winter months.

Some attractions not to be missed

• Golden Gate National Park
• Vredefort Dome – Unesco World Heritage Site
• Basotho Cultural Village
• National Museum Bloemfontein
• Gariep Dam Nature Reserve