The Free State lies between the Vaal River in the north and the Orange River in the south. This province lies central on the interior plateau of South Africa and is characterized by its grass plains and dolerite hills. On the south eastern border are the mountains of Lesotho. The eastern highlands of the Free State is well known for its beautiful sandstone formations in yellow, brown, orange and pink. Some of South Africa’s most valued San rock paintings are found in the Free State.

Bloemfontein is the capital of the Free State. It also houses the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa. Other urban centres are Bethlehem, Harrismith, Kroonstad, Parys, Phuthaditjhaba and Sasolburg. The population of 2, 8 million mainly speaks Sesotho, Afrikaans and IsiXhosa.

The Free State is the fifth largest gold producing region in the world. Silver, uranium, coal, diamonds and bentonite are also mined. Maize, wheat, soya, sorghum, sunflowers, cherries, asparagus and potatoes are produced in the Free State, while the sweet grasslands sustain more than 15 million sheep. Petroleum is manufactured from bituminous coal at Sasolburg. A wide variety of industries have developed around the production of chemicals from coal.

The Free State is in the summer rainfall region of South Africa. Bloemfontein receives 559 mm rain annually. The summers are temperate to warm, and the winters are dry and sunny, but the winter nights are cold.

The main attractions of the Free State include the following:

• Historical buildings and Museums in Bloemfontein:
First Parliament Building, National Afrikaans Literary Museum, National Museum, National Women’s Memorial and the War Museum highlighting the Anglo-Boer/ South African War from 1899 to 1902.
• The Gariep Dam:
Country’s largest dam. More than 100 km long and 15 km wide, it is part of the Orange River Water scheme. Bordered by nature reserves and holiday resorts.
• Golden Gate National Park:
Known for beautiful scenery of sandstone. Vulture restaurant and San rock paintings.
• Clarens:
Sandstone buildings in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains, San Rock paintings, often called the “jewel of the Free State”.