Natalia Republic
Natalia Republic | |||||||||
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| 1839–1843 | |||||||||
| Capital | Pietermaritzburg | ||||||||
| Common languages | Dutch Zulu English | ||||||||
| Religion | Dutch Reformed | ||||||||
| Government | Boer Republic | ||||||||
| Prime Minister | |||||||||
• 1839–1843 | Andries Pretorius | ||||||||
| Legislature | Volksraad | ||||||||
| Historical era | The Great Trek | ||||||||
• Established | 12 October 1839 | ||||||||
| 16 December 1838 | |||||||||
• Alliance with Zulu | January 1840 | ||||||||
• Annexed by Britain | 12 May 1843 | ||||||||
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| Today part of | South Africa | ||||||||
| Historical states in present-day South Africa |
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| South Africa portal |
The Natalia Republic was a short-lived Boer republic founded in 1839 after a Voortrekker victory against the Zulus at the Battle of Blood River. The area was previously named Natália by Portuguese sailors, due to its discovery on Christmas ("Natal" is the Portuguese word for Christmas). The republic came to an end in 1843 when British forces annexed it to form the Colony of Natal. After the British annexation of the Natalia Republic, most local Voortrekkers trekked northwest into Transorangia, later known as the Orange Free State, and the South African Republic.