Free State

Area	129,480 km² (10.6% of country's total)
Population (2001)	2,706,776 (6% of the total)
GDP	5.5% of the country's total
Languages	Sotho (62%), Afrikaans (14%), Xhosa (9.5%)
Races	Black African 88.0%, Coloured 3.1%, Indian/Asian 0.1%, White 8.8%
Capital	Bloemfontein (Mangaung)
Other towns	Welkom, Sasolburg
See also:	List of cities and towns in the Free State
Premier	Beatrice Marshoff

Free State is a province of South Africa, deriving from the old Orange Free State. Its capital is Bloemfontein which is also South Africa's judical capital. In 9 June 1995 was changed from Orange Free State to Free State. The current borders date from 1994 when the Bantustans were abolished and included into the provinces of South Africa.

It is situated on flat boundless plains in the heart of South Africa. The soil is rich and the climate good allowing a thriving agricultural industry. It is known locally as South Africa's bread basket, with more than 30,000 farms that produce over 70% of South Africa's grain consumption. It also has some of the most productive gold and diamond mines in the world.