2010 World Cup City Preview: Bloemfontein

Because it is likely that I cannot tell you a single thing about some of the teams in the World Cup, I will resort to a different World Cup Preview. Instead of taking a look at the teams playing in the World Cup, over the next month before the Cup begins, I will preview each of the 9 cities playing host to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Next up, Bloemfontein!
Population: 369,568

Province: Free State

Average Temperature in June: High: 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 Celcius). Low: 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 Celcius).

Average Precipitation in June: .5 inches (12.7 mm)

Brief History: While the Dutch Afrikaners were the first to settle in the area, Bloemfontein was not officially established until 1846 by a British army major. Originally the capital of the Orange Free State Republic, Bloemfontein soon became the Judicial capital of the Union of South Africa in 1910.

During the Second Boer War, Bloemfontein was unfortunately the site of another one of the concentration camps that I talked a bit about with the Polokwane post. Today, a Memorial sit on the outskirts of the city paying tribute to the tens of thousands of people who lost their lives during this unfortunate time period.

Today, Bloemfontein is the Judicial capital of South Africa. I have already talked about Pretoria, which is the executive capital of South Afirca, and the legislative of South Africa is coming up later this week. Bloemfontein is not just a hardly unknown judicial capital by any sense of the imagination. This was the city where J.R.R. Tolkein was born! All of a sudden every nerd and tween in the world loves Bloemfontein like no other city in South Africa. For realz.

United States Sister Cities: None

Venue Free State Stadium

Free State Stadium was opened just in time for the 1996 African Cup of Nations. With a capacity of 45,000, Free State Stadium is home to 2 rugby teams and the Bloemfontein Celtic of the South African Premier Soccer League. Free State Stadium was one of the 4 venues used during the 2009 Confederations Cup. The most notable game held here was the United States' upset over Spain in the semi-finals which ended Spain's long international winning and unbeaten streaks.

Games being played in Free State Stadium
June 14: Group E: Japan vs. Cameroon
June 17: Group B: Greece vs. Nigeria
June 22: Group F: Slovakia vs. Paraguay
June 25: Group H: Switzerland vs. Honduras
June 27: Round of 16: Group D Winner vs. Group C Runner-up

Lastly, here are some pictures of Bloemfontein.