Orange Free State

The Orange Free State (Dutch: Oranje-Vrijstaat) was a country in southern Africa. It was ruled by the Afrikaners. It was defeated by the British Empire and its colonies, the British Cape Colony and the Natal Colony, in the Second Boer War. It became the Orange River Colony and later joined with other colonies to make the Union of South Africa.

Orange Free State
Oranje-Vrijstaat
1854–1902
Flag of Orange Free State
Flag
of Orange Free State
Coat of arms
Anthem: Vrystaatse Volkslied
Location of the Orange Free State c. 1890
Location of the Orange Free State c. 1890
CapitalBloemfontein
Common languagesDutch (official)
English
Sesotho
Zulu
Religion
Dutch Reformed
African religions
GovernmentRepublic
State President 
 1854 1855
J. P. Hoffman
 1855 1859
J. N. Boshoff
 1860 1863
M. W. Pretorius1
 1864 1888
J. H. Brand
 1889 1895
F. W. Reitz
 1896 1902
M. T. Steyn
LegislatureParliament
 house of representatives
Volksraad
Historical era19th century
 Republic founded
17 February 1854
 Battle of Blood River
16 December 1838
 Start of 2nd Boer War
11 October 1899
 Treaty of Vereeniging
31 May 1902
Area
1875[1]181,299 km2 (70,000 sq mi)
Population
 1875[1]
100000
CurrencyOrange Free State pound
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Orange River Sovereignty
Orange River Colony
1 Also State President of the Transvaal Republic

References

  1. Sketch of the Orange Free State of South Africa. Bloemfontein: Orange Free State. Commission at the International Exhibition, Philadelphia, 1876. 1876. p. 10.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.