Bethulie

Province

Bethulie is a town in the municipality in the district Kopanong Xhariep ( Free State Province ) in South Africa. It has 6,497 inhabitants ( 2011) and is 1,295 meters above sea level, 180 kilometers south of Bloemfontein. East of the town of Caledon flows in the Orange, which is west dammed Bethulies the Gariep Dam. Economically significant is the cattle today.

History

The city was founded in 1829 by the London Missionary Society to make San resident. The town name was changed frequently:

  • Moordenaarspoort Groot (1829 ) ( killer pass ) because of a battle between Griquaräubern and Basothostämmen
  • Caledon ( 1833)
  • Verhuellpolis (1835 )
  • Heidelberg ( 1863)
  • Bethulia ( German: " chosen by God ", 1872 )

The largest concentration camp during the Second Boer War (1899-1902) was located in Bethulie.

Attractions

  • Gariep Dam Nature Reserve
  • Chicks - the -Riviere Nature Reserve

Personalities

  • Patrick Mynhardt, actor
Xhariep District Municipality Kopanong Local Municipality Caledon River Griqua people Sotho people
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