The sandstone of this region has been used for the lovely dressed-stone buildings found on the Eastern Highlands, while decoratively painted Sotho houses dot the grasslands.
Some of South Africa’s most valued San (Bushman) rock art is found in the Free State, particularly in the regions around Clarens, Bethlehem, Ficksburg, Ladybrand and Wepener.
The Motheo and Xhariep is the most southerly region of the Free State Province in South Africa. Motheo comes from the Sotho language and means “strong base of a building” which is a very apt description for the geographical position of the region. This region is dominated by the province’s capital city, Bloemfontein. This city is also known as the Hospitable City.
The Xhariep area of this region is mostly formed by open grasslands and man-made dams. The Gariep Dam which constitutes a massive dam wall and Nature Reserve is a definite must for a holiday resort.
The region is filled with impressive museums and magnificent monuments commemorating the Anglo-Boer War and also the Great Trek of 1938. The sandstone architecture in the region is also of significant importance to the country’s history
The Free State, formerly known as the Orange Free State, is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bloemfontein, which is also South Africa’s judicial capital.
Its historical origins lie in the Boer republic called the Orange Free State and later the Orange Free State Province.
The FreeState (Sotho: Freistata; Afrikaans: Vrystaat frɛistɑːt; Xhosa: iFreyistata; Tswana: Foreistata; Zulu: iFuleyisitata), formerly known as the Orange Free State, is a province of South Africa.
Its capital is Bloemfontein, which is also South Africa’s judicial capital. Its historical origins lie in the Boer republic called the Orange Free State and later the Orange Free State Province.
The current borders of the province date from 1994 when the Bantustans were abolished and reincorporated into South Africa. It is also the only one of the four original provinces of South Africa not to undergo border changes, apart from the reincorporation of Bantustans, and its borders date from before the outbreak of the Boer War.
Mafahlaneng township at Tweeling
The Thabo Mofutsanyana region of the Free State Province in South Africa is named after the revolution activist from Qwa-Qwa with the same name. This area is well-known for its majestic mountain ranges such as the Drakensberg and Maluti Mountains. The Highlands make this region the most popular tourist attraction of the Free State.
The famous Golden Gate National Park with its magnificent mountain ranges, sandstone formations and interesting wildlife is a favourite among visiting tourists. Phuthaditjhaba is the starting point of The Sentinel – hiking trails leading to and into the mountains. This is a must for all nature-lovers and adventure-seekers.
The town of Clarens is considered to be the most picturesque in the region. The commercial center of the region, Bethlehem, is a perfect base for tourists who want to experience the region without leaving the “city feeling”.
The Northern Free State region in South Africa can be found just south of the mighty Vaal River. This river ensures that the surroundings of grasslands, maize farms and grazing livestock prosper. The Vaal offers various types of water activities such as fishing, canoeing, rafting or sailing. The Vaal Dam is situated near Deneysville and the Jim Fouché Resort is located near Oranjeville.
The oldest and third largest meteorite impact site in the world, the Vredefort Dome in Vredefort, is a very popular tourist attraction. The meteorite is 10 km in diameter and the original crater is about 300 km in diameter.
The Kroonpark Resort in Kroonstad offers visitors an impressive indoor pool, many outdoor activities and large festival grounds. This is a wonderful spot for tourists who wish to visit the region.
In the southeast, the Free State borders seven districts of Lesotho:
Mokhotlong – farthest to the east | Butha-Buthe – northwest of Mokhotlong and northeast of Leribe
Leribe – southwest of Butha-Buthe and northeast of Berea | Berea – southwest of Leribe and north of Maseru
Maseru – south of Berea and northeast of Mafeteng | Mafeteng – southwest of Maseru and northwest of Mohale’s Hoek
Mohale’s Hoek – southeast of Mafeteng
The region of Lejweleputswa in South Africa is famous for its unprocessed gold-bearing rock. The names means “greystone” because lava was struck in 1938 on a farm named St. Helena. All the farms in the region found themselves suddenly a part of a gold rush. This region now has one of the country’s most advanced infrastructures.
The principal town of Welkom is the in the center of this gold-producing infrastructure. Mine tours are available in Welkom, Virginia and Theunissen. Evidence of the Voortrekkers and the Anglo-Boer War can also be found in this region.
Game viewing is another tourist attraction in the region and visitors are encouraged to stay over at either the Willem Pretorius Game Reserve or the Sandveld Nature Reserve
Domestically, it borders the following provinces:
• KwaZulu-Natal – east
• Eastern Cape – south
• Northern Cape – west
• North West – northwest
• Gauteng – north
• Mpumalanga – northeast
The Free State borders more districts of Lesotho and more provinces of South Africa than any other province.
It is traversed by the northwesterly line of equal latitude and longitude.