Natalia Republic: Map & History
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.
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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. 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.
Modern Countries Once Part of Natalia Republic
At its mapped extent, Natalia Republic covered territory in 1 present-day country. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Natalia Republic's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Natalia Republic in Depth
History
On Christmas Day 1497, Vasco da Gama sailed past the region now known as Transkei and named the country Terra Natalis. He next sighted the bluff at the entrance to what is now the harbour of Durban. Da Gama made no landing here, but in later years the name Natália became associated with the area. Like the rest of South Africa, Natal was neglected by the Portuguese, whose nearest settlement was at Delagoa Bay.
At some unknown date, the amaZulu clan of Nguni people settled in the region north of the Tugela River. Under chief Shaka, the clan became the Zulu Kingdom, and between 1818 and 1820 overran the area. Shaka was succeeded in 1828 by Dingane. British traders established a small settlement at Port Natal, so founding what became the town of Durban, established in 1835.
Government of Natalia
Meantime the Boers had founded Pietermaritzburg, named in honour of leaders Piet Retief and Gerrit Maritz. They made it their capital and the seat of their Volksraad.
Legislative power was vested in the volksraad (consisting of 24 members), while the president and executive were changed every three months. For issues of importance, a meeting was called of het publiek, that is, of all who chose to attend, to sanction or reject it. "The result," says the historian George McCall Theal, "was utter anarchy. Decisions of one day were frequently reversed the next, and every one held himself free to disobey any law that he did not approve of.... Public opinion of the hour in each section of the community was the only force in the land."
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Natalia Republic (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Natalia Republic: Key Facts
| Capital | Pietermaritzburg |
|---|---|
| Official languages | Dutch, Afrikaans |
| Religion | Dutch Reformed Church |
| Form of government | republic |
| Founded | 12 October 1839 |
| Dissolved | 4 May 1843 |
Facts from Wikidata Q1029847 (CC0).
Natalia Republic Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Natalia Republic appears, with the other states of the time.
Natalia Republic Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 62,052 km² in 1904 CE.
Natalia Republic: Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Natalia Republic exist?
The Natalia Republic is dated to 1840 CE – 1910 CE, in the Industrial era.
What was the capital of the Natalia Republic?
The capital of the Natalia Republic was Pietermaritzburg.
How large was the Natalia Republic at its peak?
At its peak in 1904 the Natalia Republic covered about 62,052 km².
How did the map of the Natalia Republic change over time?
The Natalia Republic appears on 2 dated world maps in the atlas, from 1850 CE to 1900 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.
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