Flag of the Orange Free State, 1854 – 1902, via Wikimedia Commons; with Free State countryside, via Worldwide Elevation Map FinderThe Free State lies on the highest elevations of South Africa’s escarpment. For most of its life, however, the Free State was known as the Orange Free State. With a storied and unique history as an independent country, a colony, and a province of South Africa, the Orange Free State exists as a vital part of South Africa’s history and, as the Free State, an essential part of South Africa’s future. This lasted until 1910, when the Union of South Africa was declared, amalgamating most South African colonies into the independent country of the Union of South Africa. The provincial capital of Bloemfontein also serves as the judicial capital of South Africa (South Africa has three capital cities).

Source: The North Africa Journal January 07, 2024 17:17 UTC