Free State lies in the heart of South Africa and borders the independent country of Lesotho. The province is relatively the size of Nicaragua and mainly speaks Sesotho, the native language of neighboring Lesotho.

Red = Free State / Light Grey = Lesotho

The country’s largest gold mining complex, 330 square kilometers in area, is in Free State. This province has 12 gold mines in total and produces 30% of South Africa’s gold export. These mines also supply a large amount of the silver produced in South Africa. Maybe some of your jewelry came from these mines.

Free State is well known for its horticulture. Thanks in large part to its climate and fertile soil regions. Every year the Province is able to export 1.2 million tons of fresh cut flowers. The landscape of the area is the most interesting. In the north near Parys stands part of the Vredefort Dome. Formed 2 billion years ago when a meteorite hit the earth, it is the largest visible impact site in the world!