|
Free State Province
Free State lies between the Orange and Vaal
rivers, right at the epicentre of South Africa. and was originally
a settlement for pioneers in search of its rich gold operations.
This province is known for its natural beauty and rural farmlands,
mountains and goldfields.
Bloemfontein, the capital city of Free State
Province, has well established judicial, institutional and
administrative infrastructure. Some of the popular towns of
the province are; Sasolburg, Kroonstad-an agricultural, administrative
and educational town, Parys which is on the banks of the Vaal
River, Phuthaditjhaba famous for hand crafted items produced
by the locals, Bethlehem -a gateway to the Eastern highlands,
and Welkom which is South Africa's nursling city and a gold
city. Free State has a population of 2.6 million speakers
of English, Sesotho and Afrikaans languages.
The climate is hot and dry with summer rains,
cold winters and ample sunshine. During the winter the eastern
region shows off its snow-capped mountains. Summer days are
hot and dry while winter days are long and cold with temperatures
dropping to below 0 ºC, sometimes to as low as -9.5 ºC.
Irrigation schemes keep the valleys green all year round.
The western and southern parts are semi desert.
The province delights in many great attractions
and destinations: Bloemfontein, with its rich cultures, Golden
Gate Highlands National Park at the foot of Maluti Mountains,
Sterkfontein Dam with a game and nature reserve, Basotho Cultural
Village in the heart of the Qwaqwa National Park, Vredefort
Dome -one of the oldest and largest meteorite impact site
in the world, Botanical gardens with various plants and indigenous
environments, Lejweleputswa Gold Mines, war memorials and
monuments, museums like the Oliewenhuis art museum and the
Steam Train excursions along the historical Bethlehem-Bloemfontein
Raid road and Thabo Mofutsanyana region with snow capped mountains
and inspiring scenery.
Free State is full of adventure, festivals
and exciting events to ensure that you enjoy your stay in
this land of beauty and gold. Some of South Africa's most
valued San rock art is found in Free State. The districts
of Bethlehem, Ficksburg, Ladybrand and Wepener have remarkable
collections of this art form. Free State is filled with South
African history and unique cultural opportunities a must for
the young travellers, party goers and ageing hippies longing
to step off the beaten track.
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital city of Free State,
situated roughly in the middle of the province as well as
in South Africa. It is a city that lives up to her name -spring
of flowers. The name was derived from the large number of
flowers that grew around an old fountain or a spring on a
farm which belonged to a Voortrekker called Johannes Nicolaas
Brits. He chose to settle in this area in 1846 due to the
absence of horse sickness and started a farm and called it
Bloemfontein, flowering spring, for the spring on his plot
was covered with wild flowers. Bloemfontein was officially
founded in 1846 and has a population of approximately one
million being the sixth largest city in the country covering
an area of roughly 46,550 hectares.
There are thousands of rose bushes lining
the streets, creating a wonderful spectacle especially during
spring. The city is popularly known as 'the city of roses'
with a peaceful atmosphere based on the appreciation of family
values and quality of life is of prime importance. Cultures
are also intermingled with peaceable accord. Bloemfontein
is also known in the Sotho tongue as Manguang- the place of
the cheetahs.
It grew into bigger settlements two years after it was founded
and administration buildings were erected. Bloemfontein was
the capital of the independent Boer Republic of the Orange
Free State until the union of South Africa was declared in
1910 and made the judicial capital of South Africa- the Supreme
Court of South Africa is in Bloemfontein.
Bloemfontein is located in central South Africa
on the edge of the highveld, bordering on the semi arid region
of the Karoo. This area experiences continental climate with
hot summer days that have thunderstorms & cold afternoons,
and dry winters due to its distance from the sea. The vegetation
is basically highveld grassland.
Bloemfontein's central location has established
the city as an ideal conference centre in South Africa leading
to construction of elegant venues, centres, hotels and halls
with state-of-the-art facilities. Accommodation at Bloemfontein
is of different varieties ranging from star rated establishments
offering luxury & comfort to elegant hotels, guest houses
and chalets that are well equipped and ideally furnished to
suit all budgets.
The city also has the largest variety of trees
in the country and good infrastructure. Other attractions
and recreational facilities awaiting you are public parks
-State President Swart & King's park; 'Die Volksdlad-
monthly art market in the King's Park; Rose festival in October;
Orchid house -oasis of lush greenery; Free state National
Botanical Garden; museums & galleries -National museum
Hertzog house, First Raadsaal, Queens Fort Military, Rugby
museum of Choet Visser; natural beauty enhanced by the natural
reserves & zoo, National women's memorial, theatres, waterfront,
the headquarter of the council -a modern glass building; swimming
and many sport activities.
The quality of medical care is excellent with
state-of-art facilities at the modern University Hospital
of high standards and well trained medical staff.
Everyday life of modern and developing city
blends with the impressive architectural and historical heritage
of the past, present and future. This city is home to rich
cultural lifestyle and a melting pot of creative ideas and
expressions. The city offers exciting opportunities to enrich
lives with luxurious rich traditions blended with other cultures,
new ideas and new technology; come and have a first hand experience
-don't wait to be told.
Subscribe to our
Free Newsletter
Our FREE bi-monthly e-mail newsletter is the best way
to keep you informed about your favourite travel destinations
in Africa.
Subscribe and recieve tons of tips relating to African travel,
exclusive up to the minute offers on exciting tours, safaris,
hotels, car hire, general travel news and other travelers
experiences.
Do you know that some of our best offers are only available
to subscribers of the newsletter?
Just fill out the form below and be a subscriber
today!
Note: We do not disclose any personal
infomation of yours to anyone and also do not condone spam
or junk email.
|
