Orange Free State

This article is about the country that existed during the 19th century. For the modern-day province of South Africa, see 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 Coat of arms
Anthem: Vrystaatse Volkslied
Location of the Orange Free State c. 1890
Capital	Bloemfontein
Common languages	Dutch (official) English Sesotho Zulu
Religion	Dutch Reformed African religions
Government	Republic
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
Legislature	Parliament
• house of representatives	Volksraad
Historical era	19th 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
Currency	Orange Free State pound
Preceded by Succeeded by Orange River Sovereignty Orange River Colony
1 Also State President of the Transvaal Republic