The Orage Free State started out as an independent country in southern Africa. It's name derives partly from the Orange River, which forms the southern border, whith the Vaal River in the North.
On 17 February 1854, Brittain officially recognises the Orange Free State's independance and, with the signing of the Contract of Bloemfontein, the Orange Free State officially becomes an independent country on 23 February 1854.
In 1900, the Brithish annexed the Orange Free State as the Orange River Colony after a period of chronic conflict between the Boer and British forces. On 31 May 1910, the Orange River was included in the Union of South Africa, which became the Republic of South Africa on 31 May 1961. After 1994, the newly elected democratic government of South Africa abolished the four former provinces of South Africa and replaced them with nine new provinces.
The Free State Province is the newly created central province of South Africa. It still comprises the same geographical area as the original Orange Free State.
