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Orange Free State

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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
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

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.

References

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