Colors and the Meaning of the Botswana Flag
The flag of Botswana was officially used as it is now used on the 30th of September 1966. Botswana flag, unlike many African countries in the African continent, is one of the countries that do not include Pan-African colors.
Flag formed on a light blue background. There is a black thick strip surrounded by a white thin strip, which is positioned horizontally in the middle of the flag. The light blue color on the flag symbolizes both the sky and the water and rain that are of great importance for the country.
In the country where the desert heat is experienced in the African continent, the importance given to water is also indicated by Pula, which means rain in the local language in the state coat of arms. The horizontally positioned black and white stripes represent the harmony of the various ethnic groups within the country, as well as the zebra in the state coat of arms that hold the armament from both the right and the left.
History of the Botswana Flag
In 1885, Bechuanaland (the name of Botswana before independence) became a patronage of the United Kingdom in the colonial empire. This took place after the leaders of the people of Tswana negotiated with the British to ensure that they protected their territory from the neighboring country, the Boers, who had invaded it from the Republic of South Africa.
Despite British protection, South Africa continued to put pressure on the British to allow the British to add Bechuanaland to their troops. But this was not because of the intense opposition of the people of Botswana.
Bechuanaland gained independence from England in 1966 and renamed the new nation name Botswana. Before independence, there was no flag indicating Botswana was under the British Colony. When Botswana was founded in 1966, the national flag was symbolically designed in contrast to the South African flag because it was governed by a racist regime as it was governed under the British colony of South Africa.
For this reason, the black-and-white stripe summarized peace and harmony between Africa and Europeans living in Botswana. The new flag was raised at midnight on September 30, 1966, the first time that Botswana became an independent country.
Neighboring Countries of Botswana
Botswana is located in the south of the African continent. Its neighbors are South Africa in the south and south east, Namibia in the west and northwest, Zimbabwe in the northeast and east.
Main Characteristics of Botswana
Botswana is located on the south of the African continent and is a non-coastal country. Attracted by its natural habitat and geographical formations, Botswana is known as the hidden paradise of Africa. Its capital is Gaborone.
Almost half of the population lives in the capital, Gaborone. The official language of Botswana is English and the national language is Tsvana. Although English is the official language, only 25% of the people speak this language. The rest speaks languages specific to their tribes. The currency of Botswana is also Botswana pula.
Botswana has an arid and semi-desert climate. Temperatures are very high, the average is around 35 degrees in winter and 20 degrees in winter. In this country, the summer months are between October and March, and the winter months are between April and September.
| Country | Botswana |
| Code | BW (BWA) |
| Calling code | 267 |
| Capital city | Gaborone |
| Currency | botswana pula (BWP) |
| Emoji symbol | 🇧🇼 |
| Highest point | Otse Hill (1,491 m) |
| Internet TLD | .bw |
| Population(2017) | 2,291,661 |
| Total area | 581,730 km2 |