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Bloemfontein
(Sotho) Mangaung
Parliament building in Bloemfontein
Parliament building in Bloemfontein
Nickname: The city of roses
Bloemfontein (South Africa)
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein
Coordinates: 29°06′S 26°13′E / -29.1, 26.217
Country Flag of South Africa South Africa
Province Free State
Officially founded 1846
Elevation 1,395 m (4,577 ft)
Population
 - Total 369,568
Time zone SAST (UTC+2)

Bloemfontein (pronounced /ˈbluːmfɒnteɪn/, Afrikaans and Dutch for "spring of Bloem (bloom)", "flower spring" or "fountain of flowers" is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa as well as one of the nation's three capitals being the judicial capital. A nickname is a Name of an entity or thing that is not its Proper name. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa South Africa is currently divided into nine provinces On the eve of the 1994 general election, South Africa's former homelands also known as Bantustans, were reintegrated History See also Orange Free State Geography The Free State is situated on flat boundless plains in the heart of South Africa The elevation of a Geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point often the mean sea level. The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit SAST redirects here For the comedy programme see Short Attention Span Theater. UTC+2 corresponds to the following Time zones Eastern European Time Egypt Standard Time Central Africa Time Afrikaans is an Indo-European language, derived from 17th century Dutch and classified as Low Franconian Germanic, mainly spoken in Dutch ( is a West Germanic language spoken by around 24 million people 22 million of which are from the Netherlands, Belgium and Suriname History See also Orange Free State Geography The Free State is situated on flat boundless plains in the heart of South Africa The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa The city's Sesotho name is Mangaung, meaning "place of cheetahs" and became part of the Mangaung Local Municipality in 2000. History Should include probable history of the language what form of Bantu it is most closely derived from (the coolest forms! dates of movement of major groups The cheetah ( Acinonyx jubatus) is an atypical member of the cat family ( Felidae) that is unique in its speed while lacking climbing abilities " Bloemfontein is popularly and poetically known as "the city of roses", owing to the abundance of these flowers and the annual rose festival held there.

Although Bloemfontein has a reputation for its flowers in an otherwise arid region, the city's name is alleged by some to refer to Jan Bloem (1775-1858), a Korana Griqua leader whose people inhabited (and still inhabit) parts of the Free State and Northern Cape. The Griqua ( Afrikaans Griekwa, sometimes incorrectly called Korana) are a subgroup of South Africa 's heterogeneous and Multiracial The Northern Cape is a large sparsely populated province of South Africa, created in 1994 when the Cape Province was split up

The city is situated on dry grassland at 29°06′S, 26°13′E, at an altitude of 1,395 metres above sea level. The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International Mean sea level (MSL is the average (mean height of the Sea, with reference to a suitable reference surface The city is home to 369,568 residents, while the Mangaung Local Municipality has a population of 645,455. Bloemfontein is served by Bloemfontein airport. Bloemfontein Airport is located in Bloemfontein, a city in the Free State province of South Africa.

Contents

History

Though historically a predominantly Afrikaner settlement, Bloemfontein was officially founded in 1846 as a fort by British army major Henry Douglas Warden as a British outpost in the Transoranje region, at that stage occupied by various groups of peoples including Cape Colony Trek Boers, Griqua and Basotho. The term Afrikaner people refers to white Afrikaans -speaking people who have been established in Southern Africa since the 17th century and are mainly of northwestern The Cape Colony, part of modern South Africa, was established by the Dutch East India Company in 1652 with the founding of Cape Town. The Trekboers were nomadic pastoral descendants of Dutch (often Frisian) settlers of the Cape Colony, Flemish settlers French The Griqua ( Afrikaans Griekwa, sometimes incorrectly called Korana) are a subgroup of South Africa 's heterogeneous and Multiracial The Basotho people have lived in Southern Africa since around the fifteenth century. With colonial policy shifts the region changed into the Orange River Sovereignty (1848-1854) and eventually the Orange Free State Republic (1854-1902). The Orange River Sovereignty (1848&ndash1854 was a short-lived political entity between the Orange and Vaal rivers in southern Africa The Republic of the Orange Free State (Oranje-Vrystaat Dutch: Oranje-Vrijstaat) was an independent Boer republic in southern Africa From 1902-1910 it served as the capital of the Orange River Colony and since that time as the provincial capital of the Orange Free State (now Free State). The Orange River Colony was the British colony created after this nation first occupied (1900 and then annexed (1902 the independent Orange Free State in the The Republic of the Orange Free State (Oranje-Vrystaat Dutch: Oranje-Vrijstaat) was an independent Boer republic in southern Africa History See also Orange Free State Geography The Free State is situated on flat boundless plains in the heart of South Africa In 1910 it became the Judicial Capital of South Africa.

Founding and early days

Warden originally chose the site largely because of its close proximity to the main route to Winburg, the spacious open country, and the absence of horse sickness. African horse sickness (AHS is a highly infectious and deadly Disease.

1854-1898

The old Raadsaal in Bloemfontein, with the statue of Christiaan de Wet
The old Raadsaal in Bloemfontein, with the statue of Christiaan de Wet

As the capital of the Orange Free State Republic the growth and maturing of the Republic resulted in the growth of the town. Christiaan Rudolf de Wet ( 7 October 1854 - 3 February 1922) was a Boer General, Rebel Leader Numerous public buildings that remain in use to day were constructed. This was largely facilitated by the excellent governance of the Republic (which acquired the term model republic) and the compensation from the British for the loss of the diamond rich Griqualand area. The Griqua ( Afrikaans Griekwa, sometimes incorrectly called Korana) are a subgroup of South Africa 's heterogeneous and Multiracial

A railway line was built in 1890 connecting Bloemfontein to Cape Town. Cape Town (Kaapstad Xhosa: Ikapa) is the second most populous city in South Africa, forming part of the metropolitan municipality of the

The writer J. R. R. Tolkien was born in the city on January 3, 1892, though his family left South Africa while he was still a child following the death of his father, Arthur Tolkien (1896). Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1892 ( MDCCCXCII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Year 1896 ( MDCCCXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year He recorded that his earliest memories were of "a hot country".

Second Anglo-Boer War/South African War

In 1899, the city was the site of the Bloemfontein Conference, which failed to prevent the outbreak of the Second Boer War. The Bloemfontein Conference was a meeting that took place in Bloemfontein, capital of the Orange Free State from May 31 until June 5 1899 See also First Boer War,, South African Wars (1879-1915 The Second Boer War ( Dutch: Tweede Boerenoorlog, Afrikaans: The conference was a final attempt to avert a war between Britain and the south African Republic. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom from 1 January 1801 until 12 April 1927 This article is about the former country in Africa For the present-day country see South Africa; for the region where both are located see Southern Africa With its failure the stage was set for war, which broke out on 11 October 1899. Events 1138 - A massive earthquake struck Aleppo, Syria. 1531 - Huldrych Zwingli is killed See also 1898 in South Africa, other events of 1899, 1900 in South Africa and the Timeline of South African history.

The rail line from Cape Town proved to be critical to the British in occupying the city later. Cape Town (Kaapstad Xhosa: Ikapa) is the second most populous city in South Africa, forming part of the metropolitan municipality of the

On 13 March 1900, following the Battle of Paardeberg British forces captured the city and built a concentration camp nearby to house Boer women and children. Events 1138 - Cardinal Gregorio Conti is elected Antipope as Victor IV, succeeding Anacletus II. See also 1899 in South Africa, other events of 1900, 1901 in South Africa and the Timeline of South African history. The Battle of Paardeberg ("Mountain of the horses" was a major battle during the Second Anglo-Boer War. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Internment is the imprisonment or confinement of people commonly in large groups without trial Boer (ˈbuːr in Dutch ˈbʊɚ/ /boʊɚ or /ˈbɔr/ in English is the Dutch word for Farmer which came to denote the descendants of the proto Afrikaans The National Women's Memorial, on the outskirts of the city, pays homage to the 45,000 women and children (including up to 17,000 black people) who died in these camps.

Recent history

Until 1994, the city was the sole judicial capital of South Africa. It remains the seat for the Supreme Court Of Appeal (formerly the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court) and is therefore generally regarded as the judicial capital. The South African Supreme Court of Appeal is the South African Court that has the final say on all matters other than those that involve the interpretation of It is also an administrative centre with many private hospitals and educational institutions.

Geography and Climate

Bloemfontein is located in central South Africa on the southern edge of the Highveld at an elevation of 1,400 metres (4,600 ft), bordering on the semi-arid region of the Karoo. The Highveld is a high Plateau region of South Africa which is largely home to the largest metropolitan area in the country the Gauteng City Region The Karoo (a Khoisan word of uncertain etymology) is a semi- Desert region of South Africa. The area is generally flat with occasional hills (koppies in Afrikaans) and the general vegetation is Highveld grassland. Afrikaans is an Indo-European language, derived from 17th century Dutch and classified as Low Franconian Germanic, mainly spoken in The Highveld is a high Plateau region of South Africa which is largely home to the largest metropolitan area in the country the Gauteng City Region Bloemfontein experiences an oceanic climate with hot summer days (Jan: max:31°C min:15°C; frequent afternoon thunderstorms) and cooler, dry winters, often with frosts (July: max:17°C min:-2°C). An oceanic climate (also called marine west coast climate and maritime climate) is the Climate typically found along the west coasts at the middle latitudes Snow is rare but as recently as August 2006 it snowed in the city, with snowfalls occurring again at the airport on July 26th 2007.

+ Climate Table
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Highest recorded temperature (°C) 39 39 35 33 30 25 24 29 34 35 37 38 39
Highest recorded temperature (°F) 102 102 95 91 86 77 75 84 93 95 99 100 102
Average daily maximum temperature (°C) 31 29 27 23 20 17 17 20 24 26 28 30 24
Average daily maximum temperature (°F) 88 84 81 73 63 63 73 75 79 82 86 75
Average daily minimum temperature (°C) 15 15 12 8 3 -2 -2 1 5 9 12 14 8
Average daily minimum temperature (°F) 59 59 54 46 37 28 28 34 41 48 54 57 46
Lowest recorded temperature (°C) 6 4 1 -3 -9 -9 -10 -10 -7 -3 0 3 -10
Lowest recorded temperature (°F) 43 39 34 27 16 16 14 14 19 27 32 37 14
Average monthly precipitation (mm) 83 111 72 56 17 12 8 15 24 43 58 60 559
Average monthly precipitation (in) 3. The Celsius Temperature scale was previously known as the centigrade scale. Fahrenheit is a temperature scale named after Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit (1686–1736 a German Physicist who proposed it in 1724 The Celsius Temperature scale was previously known as the centigrade scale. Fahrenheit is a temperature scale named after Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit (1686–1736 a German Physicist who proposed it in 1724 The Celsius Temperature scale was previously known as the centigrade scale. Fahrenheit is a temperature scale named after Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit (1686–1736 a German Physicist who proposed it in 1724 The Celsius Temperature scale was previously known as the centigrade scale. Fahrenheit is a temperature scale named after Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit (1686–1736 a German Physicist who proposed it in 1724 The Millimetre ( American spelling: millimeter, symbol mm) is a unit of Length in the Metric system, equal to Inches redirects here To see the Les Savy Fav album see Inches. 3 4. 4 2. 8 2. 2 0. 7 0. 5 0. 3 0. 6 0. 9 1. 7 2. 3 2. 4 22
Average number of rain days (>= 1 mm) 11 11 11 9 4 3 2 3 4 7 9 10 84
Source: South African Weather Service

Suburbs

Bloemfontein suburbs include Woodland Hills Wildlife Estate, Bayswater, Brandwag, Ehrlichpark, Fauna, Fichardtpark, Fleurdal, Gardeniapark, Generaal De Wet, Hospitaalpark, Kiepersol, Lourierpark, Park West, Pellissier, Uitsig, Universitas, Westdene, Wilgehof and Willows to the south of the city. Fauna is a Suburb of the city of Bloemfontein in South Africa. Willows is a Suburb of Bloemfontein. It housed the first post office which was build in Bloemfontein To the north of Bloemfontein, you will find Langenhovenpark, Arboretum, Bayswater, Dan Pienaar, Helicon Heights, Heuwelsig, Hillsboro, Hillside, Hilton, Naval Hill, Navalsig, Noordhoek, Pentagon Park, Waverley and Heidedal. Major-General Daniel Hermanus ("Dan" Pienaar was a South African World War II military commander Heuwelsig is a suburb of Bloemfontein. It can be accessed via two roads Lucas Steyn(both directions and Rayton Road The prodominantly black suburbs is; Rocklands, Phahameng, Phelindaba, Bloemanda and the most historic Bochabela where the Maphikela House (where the African national Congress - ANC started) is situated at.

Sports

Stadiums

The Free State Stadium and the surrounding sports complex is the main sports venue in the city and province. The Free State Stadium, also known as Vodacom Park, is a stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, used There are several other sports venues however in the city, including facilities belonging to the University, schools and sports clubs.

Vodacom Park also known as "Free State Stadium" will be the hosting stadium of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa matches played in Bloemfontein.

Soccer

Free State Stadium
Free State Stadium

Bloemfontein is joint home (together with nearby Botshabelo) to Premier Soccer League team Bloemfontein Celtic. The Free State Stadium, also known as Vodacom Park, is a stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, used Botshabelo is a large black settlement set up by the then Apartheid government 45km east of Bloemfontein, Free State province South Africa. Premier Soccer League is the trading name of the National Soccer League (NSL of South Africa, also known by its initials ( PSL) Bloemfontein Celtic' is a South African Football (soccer club based in Bloemfontein that plays in the Premier Soccer League. Some of the matches of the Football World Cup 2010 will be played at the Free State Stadium. The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be the 19th FIFA World Cup, an international tournament for football, that is scheduled to take place between 11 June and

Rugby

Bloemfontein's Free State Stadium is home to two rugby union teams; the Central Cheetahs franchise who compete in the Super 14 and the Free State Cheetahs who play in the domestic Currie Cup. The Free State Stadium, also known as Vodacom Park, is a stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, used Overview See also Playing rugby union A rugby union match lasts for 80 minutes (plus stoppage time with a short The Central Cheetahs, known for sponsorship reasons as Vodacom Cheetahs, is a South African Super 14 rugby union franchise that entered the competition The Super 14 is the largest Rugby union football club championship in the Southern hemisphere, consisting of four state teams from Australia (Queensland/Reds The Free State Cheetahs (formerly the Orange Free State) for sponsorship reasons named Vodacom Free State Cheetahs, are a South African For the cricket competition originally known as the Currie Cup see SuperSport Series. The Free State Cheetahs won the Currie Cup in 2005 against the Blue Bulls, they drew the final with the Blue Bulls in 2006 and retained the Currie Cup title in 2007 by winning the Golden Lions resulting in the Free State Cheetahs to be Currie Cup champions until at least 2008. The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons named Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by the club's Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons named Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by the club's Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are For the cricket competition originally known as the Currie Cup see SuperSport Series. The Golden Lions are the main Rugby union for Johannesburg, South Africa, although they also represent a substantial portion of Gauteng Province The Free State Cheetahs (formerly the Orange Free State) for sponsorship reasons named Vodacom Free State Cheetahs, are a South African For the cricket competition originally known as the Currie Cup see SuperSport Series. For more information on Vodacom Free State Cheetahs visit http://www.fscheetahs.co.za & information on Super 14 Vodacom Cheetahs visit http://www.vodacomcheetahs.com

Cricket

The Gestetner Diamond Eagles representing the Free State and Northern Cape in various series is located at OUTsurance Oval, part of the Free State Stadium complex. The Gestetner Diamond Eagles is the name used by the combined Free State cricket team and Griqualand West First class cricket teams in South Africa Springbok Park, is a cricket ground in Bloemfontein, Free State Province, South Africa. The Free State Stadium, also known as Vodacom Park, is a stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, used

For more information on Gestetner Diamond Eagles visit http://www.eaglescricket.com

Soaring

One of the most active soaring communities in South Africa and the world is using the New Tempe Airport north of Bloemfontein. Gliding is a Recreational activity and competitive Sport in which pilots fly un-powered aircraft known as Gliders or sailplanes

Motor Sports

Education

Bloemfontein is the seat of University of the Free State as well as the Central University of Technology

Primary schools include:

There are also several high schools (secondary schools) in the city, these include:

Recreational

Bloemfontein has an excellent Motocross track run by the Bloemfontein Off Road Club. The University of the Free State is situated in Bloemfontein, the capital of the Free State, South Africa. Central University of Technology Free State or Central University of Technology is a University of Technology in Bloemfontein in the Free State Calvinism (sometimes called the Reformed tradition, the Reformed faith, or Reformed theology) is a theological system and an approach to the St Andrew's School, established in 1863 is a Public school for boys located in Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa. St Michael's School, established in 1874 is a public school with a boarding option for girls located in Bloemfontein, Free State, South Motocross is a form of Motorcycle sport or All-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed Off road circuits

There is also a kart circuit (M&F Raceway), which is ruled by Bloemfontein Kart Club. For other meanings see Kart (disambiguation Kart racing or karting is a variant of Open-wheel Motor sport with

One can also enjoy a day or a sleep over at the Bloemfontein Zoo. Zoo Snoozes are only one of the activities arranged by Friends of the Bloemfontein Zoo.

Boyden Observatory, a unique astronomy research and educational centre outside the city, offers public open evenings on certain nights during the year, arranged by the Friends of Boyden Observatory. Astronomy (from the Greek words astron (ἄστρον "star" and nomos (νόμος "law" is the scientific study Groups can also visit the observatory for exclusive evenings on appointment.

Atop Naval Hill is the Franklin Game Reserve. It was named after John Franklin, South African Senator, attorney and Mayor of Bloemfontein in the 1930s.

Media

Famous People

Religion

Bloemfontein has a large and diverse Christian population. Shaun Morgan Welgemoed (born December 21, 1978) is a South African musician known as the lead singer of the Post-Grunge band Seether, formerly Wessel Johannes "Hansie" Cronje (September 25 1969 - June 1 2002 was a South African Cricketer and captain of the South African national cricket team in Cricket is a bat-and-ball team Sport that originated in England and is now played in more than 100 countries Juan Smith (born 30 July 1981 in Bloemfontein, South Africa) is a South African Rugby union footballer Overview See also Playing rugby union A rugby union match lasts for 80 minutes (plus stoppage time with a short Jacobus Petrus du Randt, better known as Os du Randt (born 8 September 1972 in Elliot South Africa) is a former South African Overview See also Playing rugby union A rugby union match lasts for 80 minutes (plus stoppage time with a short Allan Anthony Donald, (born 20 October 1966 in Bloemfontein) was a South African Cricketer and one of their most successful pace bowlers ever Cricket is a bat-and-ball team Sport that originated in England and is now played in more than 100 countries Ryk Neethling (born 17 November 1977 is a South African swimmer The Olympic Games is an international Multi-sport event established for both summer and winter games Morne Nico van Wyk (born 20 March 1979 in Bloemfontein, South Africa is a South African Cricketer who has played six One Day Internationals The city houses several churches and denominations:

Local Governance

Bloemfontein forms part of the Manguang Local Municipality and the Motheo District Municipality

Community Service Organizations

References


External links

Dictionary

Bloemfontein

-proper noun

  1. A major city in South Africa.
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