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The Free State has a continental climate with hot summers and cool to cold winters. The east experiences frequent snowfalls, while the west can be extremely hot in the summer. Most precipitation falls in the summer months as brief afternoon thunderstorms

The main languages spoken in the Free State province of South Africa are Sesotho, Afrikaans, and isiXhosa: Sesotho The dominant language in the province, spoken by 72.3% of the population in the 2022 census. Sesotho is also the language of neighboring Lesotho. Afrikaans Spoken by 10.3% of the population in the 2022 census. Afrikaans is the first language for most whites and coloreds in the province. isiXhosa Spoken by 5.5% of the population in the 2022 census. Setswana Spoken by 5.3% of the population in the 2022 census. Setswana is the main language in Tokologo and in and around Thaba Nchu. English Spoken by 1.5% of the population in the 2022 census. English is becoming more important in business and government, and is used as a medium of instruction at the University of the Free State. The Free State is the only province in South Africa where the majority of the population are native Sotho speakers.

The Free State province of South Africa is rich in many resources, including:
  • Minerals

    The Free State is a major producer of gold, diamonds, coal, and bentonite: 

     
    • Gold: The Free State has 12 gold mines, including the Free State Consolidated Goldfields, which is the country's largest gold-mining complex. The province's gold mines also produce a large portion of South Africa's silver. 
       
    • Diamonds: The Free State produces high-quality diamonds from its kimberlite pipes and fissures. 
       
    • Coal: The Free State mines bituminous coal, which is converted to petrochemicals at Sasolburg. 
       
    • Bentonite: The Free State has the country's largest deposit of bentonite, a type of clay, in the Koppies district. 
       
  • Agriculture

    The Free State is South Africa's breadbasket, producing much of its wheat, maize, and potatoes. The province also produces dairy, beef, lamb, wild game, trout, cherries, apples, peaches, and asparagus. 

     
  • Wool

    The Free State produces about one-sixth of South Africa's wool. 

     
  • Renewable energy
    The Free State is attractive for hydro, solar photovoltaic (PV), and wind renewable energy projects. 

The Free State Province of South Africa has a rich cultural heritage that's a blend of traditions and influences from a variety of groups: 

 
  • Basotho

    The dominant cultural group in the Free State, the Basotho people arrived in the late 1700s and established colorful huts made of reeds, grass, and mud. You can experience Sotho traditions at the Basotho Cultural Village in Qwaqwa. 

     
  • San

    The San (Bushmen) were arguably the first group to claim the region, and their ancient rock art is some of the country's most valued. 

     
  • Afrikaners
     
    The Free State's culture is also influenced by Dutch forebears, with many locals descended from Dutch ancestors. 
     
  • Zulu

    In the 1800s, the Zulu chief Mzilikazi rampaged through the region, almost wiping out the indigenous peoples. 

     
  • Voortrekkers
    The Voortrekkers were Dutch-speaking colonists who left the Cape in search of independence. 

The Free State also has many cultural events and heritage sites, including: 

 
  • Basotho Cultural Village
     
  • Catharina Brand Museum
     
  • War Museum:
     
  • Historic battlefields:

The cost of transportation from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein, South Africa depends on the mode of transportation:
  • Bus: A bus ticket from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein costs around R489 on average, but prices may vary by season. The trip takes about 5.3 hours and covers a distance of 396 km. 
     
  • Plane: Flights from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to Bloemfontein Airport (BFN) are available four times a day with CemAir, Airlink, and Safair. 
     
  • Taxi: A taxi from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein can take about four hours. 

Yes, The range separates Mpumalanga and Free State provinces and Lesotho on the plateau from lower-lying Swaziland and KwaZulu-Natal province near the coast. The Drakensberg is the main watershed of South Africa and is the source of the Orange River.

The Free State's culture is a unique blend of the traditions of these groups and the Dutch forebears of the people who now live there. The province's languages include: 
 
  • Sotho: The dominant home language in most of the province
  • Afrikaans: The first language for the majority of whites and coloreds
  • Setswana: The main language in Tokologo and in and around the area of Thaba Nchu
  • Xhosa: A language spoken by 5.5% of the population
  • English: A language that is becoming increasingly important as the language of business and government

Philippolis is the oldest town in the Free State province of South Africa, established in 1823 as a mission station for the local Khoi people: 
 
 
Philippolis
Known for
Birthplace of Sir Laurens van der Post, a renowned author and political advisor
Attractions
Tiger Canyons, Gariep Dam, artist's retreat, Witblits festival, artist studios
Other facts
Has the second-most historical monuments in the province, after Bloemfontein and Bethlehem

Yes, the Free State in South Africa can experience snow, though it's rare in Bloemfontein: 
 
  • Bloemfontein
    Snow is rare in Bloemfontein in the winter, but frost is common. However, snow has been confirmed to fall in Bloemfontein. 
     
  • Other areas
    Snow can fall in other parts of the Free State, including the southern region. For example, snow in the Free State can force officials to close major routes.

The Free State can experience heavy frost and cold temperatures in the winter. Snow is rare, but it has happened in the past. For example, in 2011, snow fell in the Free State, forcing officials to close a major route. 

The capital of the Free State province in South Africa is Bloemfontein: 
 
  • Location: Bloemfontein is the capital and largest city in the Free State province. 
     
  • Known for: Bloemfontein is known as the "judicial capital" of South Africa, and is home to the Supreme Court of Appeal. It's also home to several educational institutions, including the University of the Free State and the Central University of Technology. 
     
  • Other features: Bloemfontein is also known as the "City of Roses". It offers a variety of tourist accommodation, including luxury hotels, bed and breakfasts, and camping facilities. 

The Free State province of South Africa is divided into 18 local municipalities, four district municipalities, and one metropolitan municipality: 
 
  • Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality: The metropolitan municipality of the Free State
  • District municipalities: The Free State has four district municipalities
  • Local municipalities: The Free State has 18 local municipalities

Ensuring safety on a construction site is crucial to protect workers

List of Towns and Cities in the free State here

Ensuring safety on a construction site is crucial to protect workers

The Free State province of South Africa was previously known as the Orange Free State: 
 
  • Orange Vrystaat
    The Voortrekkers, a group of seminomadic pastoral farmers of Dutch descent, called the area "Orange Vrystaat" because they believed they were free from British rule. 
     
  • Orange Free State
    The British conquered the Voortrekkers in 1848 and changed the name to "Orange Free State". 
     
  • Free State
    In 1995, the democratic government of South Africa renamed the province "Free State" to remove the word "Orange". 

Bloemfontein, city, capital of Free State province (formerly Orange Free State) and judicial capital of the Republic of South Africa.

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