The Plains of South Africa's Interior Plateau Between the Vaal and Orange Rivers in the Free State

Welcome to South Africa.The Free State Southa mix of culture clearly evident in street names, public
Africa. The plains of South Africa's interior plateaubuildings, monuments and museums. Dressed
between the Vaal and Orange Rivers form the Freesandstone buildings abound on the Eastern Highlands,
State Province.This tranquil land of the ever-presentwhile beautifully decorated Sotho houses dot the
windmill is the geographic and agricultural centre ofgrasslands. Some of South Africa's most valued San
South Africa. Of all the provinces, this one presents(Bushman) rock art is found in the Free State.The Free
the classic scene of the sunny veld, the high-lying,State climate in the summer-rainfall region is warm and
spacious grass-covered prairie land with deep-bluetemperate in the summer but can be relatively cold
African skies, majestic cloud formations in summer andduring the winter months, especially towards the
a skyline broken by the occasional flat-topped koppieeastern mountainous regions where temperatures can
(hill-like mountain).The Free State is fast becoming adrop as low as 9 :C. The western and southern areas
tourist destination in its own right. Famous for its warmare semi-desert.The southern Free State shares the
South African hospitality, `boerekos (traditionaltrue Karoo semi-desert and its barren landscapes,
Afrikaner farm-style cuisine) and decidedlywhile the north is blessed by the liquid gold of the Vaal
slower-paced lifestyle, this province has become aRiver. The western Free State traverses savannah
Mecca for holiday-makers intent on exploringand substantial mineral wealth, whilst the Eastern
small-town South Africa.Known, locally, as Southhighlands offer a wealth of scenic splendor.City
Africa's 'bread basket', the Free State is cultivated byCentreThe provinces capital, Bloemfontein, has a
more than 30 000 farms to produce over 70% ofwell-established institutional, educational and
South Africa's grain consumption. It is also home to theadministrative infrastructure, and houses the Supreme
most productive gold and diamond mines in theCourt of Appeal. The province has a well-known
world.The Free State lies in the heart of South Africa,university and many other training
with the mountain Kingdom of Lesotho nestling in theinstitutions.Eco-tourismThe Free State Province boasts
hollow of its bean-like shape. Between the Vaal River,an extensive system of parks and reserves, including
in the north, and the Orange River, in the south, thisone national park (Golden Gate) and more than 80
immense rolling prairie stretches as far as the eye canprovincial, municipal, and privately owned nature parks,
see. Formerly known as the Orange Free State, thisnature reserves, game reserves, and game farms.
province has had its share of battles most importantly,Activities include bird and game viewing, trophy and
perhaps, the Anglo Boer War. This was the lastbiltong hunting, hiking, horse-riding, biking, 4x4 off-road
full-scale war to be fought on South African soil anddriving, camping and climbing.Gerald Crawford: born in
was not only a turning point in the history of theSouth Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication,
modern wars of our time, but also the last of theeco-travel and african travel concepts. He taught
gentlemens wars.The Free State is the third-largestresponsible tourism in South Africa and the United
province in South Africa. However, it has theKingdom. If you have any questions or comments
second-smallest population and the second-lowestplease e-mail me on. E-mail Address:
population density, housing some 2,8 million people ongerald@12234455.co.
about 129 480 km2 of land. Many of the towns display