AfricaSouth AfricaFree State
Bloemfontein
Free State, South Africa · Africa
About Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein sits on the route: 50 minutes from Ikgomotseng.
Bloemfontein is a city located in Free State, South Africa. With a population of 556,637, it is an important destination in Africa.
On a road trip, Bloemfontein sits in South Africa, where you drive on the left. It's in the Africa/Johannesburg time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Bloemfontein to your route.
About Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein ( BLOOM-fon-tayn; Afrikaans: [ˈblumfɔntəin]), also known as Bloem, is the capital and the largest city of the Free State province in South Africa. It is often, and has been traditionally, referred to as the country's "judicial capital", as it hosts the Supreme Court of Appeal, alongside the legislativeRead more
capital Cape Town and executive capital Pretoria. However, the highest court in South Africa, the Constitutional Court, has been in Johannesburg since 1994.
Situated at an elevation of 1,395 m (4,577 ft) above sea level, the city of 256,185 residents (as of 2011) has Mangaung as its municipality, which has a population of 747,431.
The city of Bloemfontein contains the Franklin Game Reserve, Naval Hill, the Maselspoort Resort and the Sand du Plessis Theatre. The city hosts numerous museums, including the National Women's Monument, the Anglo-Boer War Museum, the National Museum, and the Oliewenhuis Art Museum. Bloemfontein also hosts the first digital planetarium in the southern hemisphere, the Naval Hill Planetarium, and Boyden Observatory, an astronomical research observatory.
Bloemfontein is popularly and poetically known as "the city of roses" for its abundance of these flowers and the annual rose festival held there. The city is situated in the middle of the country; hence it is referred to as "Central South Africa". The city's Sesotho name is Mangaung, meaning "place of cheetahs". It was one of the host cities for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Where to Stay in Bloemfontein
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Bloemfontein?
Bloemfontein offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
How do I plan a road trip to Bloemfontein?
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Where is Bloemfontein located?
Bloemfontein is located in Free State, South Africa, Africa. The coordinates are -29.1211 latitude, 26.2140 longitude.
What is the population of Bloemfontein?
Bloemfontein has a population of approximately 556,637 people, making it a city in South Africa.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 556,637
- Continent
- Africa
- Country
- South Africa
- Region
- Free State
- Timezone
- Africa/Johannesburg
- Coordinates
- -29.1211, 26.2140
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in South Africa
112 works from mobiles. Avoid driving at night in rural areas; keep doors locked in cities.
Full driving guide for South AfricaTags
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